Beta, where is your Bindi?

Why such questions?

- Saloni Maheshwari

I believe that truth should be spoken and uncomfortable questions should be asked. This is about one such question – Why do married people (mostly women) need to wear signs indicating their marital status? What is “ek chutki (a pinch of) sindoor” all about? Are the wedding symbols just a label that read “unavailable” or is there actually more to it?

Hindu married women are asked to wear a mangalsutra, sindoor vermition, rings, bangles and other talismans throughout their lives as it is believed that the practice enhances the well-being of her husband and family. It is also believed that the mangalsutra protects the marriage from any evil.

Many Vedic experts say that sindoor is placed on the parting of the hair to signify that the wife is now under the protection of her husband. Fast forward to the 21st century, if I don’t put sindoor would my husband not care for me?

I am not opposed to these signs, neither am I a stickler for them. I follow what I like and discard what I don’t. I feel that this should not be an imposition but left to the individual to decide. In my opinion, symbols are now just symbols to be displayed on symbolic occasions.