How to apply tilak: sandalwood, kumkum, bhasma and the tilaks of different traditions
Quick answer: A tilak is a sacred mark applied on the forehead, between or just above the eyebrows. It is made with sandalwood paste, kumkum, roli, turmeric or sacred ash (bhasma). Vaishnav devotees wear the upward urdhva pundra, Shaiva devotees wear the tripundra of three horizontal lines of ash, and devotees of the Goddess wear a dot or line of kumkum. At home, a tilak is usually applied after bathing and puja.
At a glance
- Where
- On the forehead, between the eyebrows (the ajna point)
- Materials
- Sandalwood, gopi chandan, kumkum, roli, turmeric, bhasma
- Finger
- On yourself: usually the ring finger; on others: the thumb or ring finger
- When
- After bathing and puja
Types of tilak (common tradition)
- Urdhva pundra (Vaishnav): two upward lines of gopi chandan or white clay in a U or V shape; many sampradayas add a red or yellow line in the middle.
- Tripundra (Shaiva): three horizontal lines of bhasma or sandalwood, often with a red dot in the middle.
- Kumkum / roli (Shakta and general puja): a red dot or a short upward line.
- Sandalwood: used in general puja for almost every deity, often with kumkum on top.
- Turmeric: used for Ganesh ji and on auspicious occasions.
How to apply tilak, step by step
- Bathe and do your puja; first offer sandalwood or kumkum to the deity.
- Mix a little sandalwood or kumkum with water in your palm or a small bowl to make a paste.
- With the ring finger, draw the tilak upward from between the eyebrows.
- For a tripundra, take bhasma on three fingers (index, middle and ring) and draw horizontal lines from left to right.
- Say the name of your chosen deity while applying it.
Do
- Apply tilak to the deity first, then to yourself as prasad.
- Use your family's or sampradaya's tilak if it is fixed.
- When applying tilak to guests, elders or a brother (on Raksha Bandhan or Bhai Dooj), you can add a few grains of rice (akshat).
Don't
- Many families do not apply a puja tilak without bathing.
- Avoid chemical or adulterated kumkum, which can irritate the skin.
- Don't mock or disrespect another tradition's tilak; each has its own rules.
The shape, material and finger used for a tilak differ widely between sampradayas and families. Follow your guru or your family's tradition.
Frequently asked questions
Which finger should I use for tilak?
Tilak on yourself is usually applied with the ring finger. Many people use the thumb for others. A tripundra is drawn with three fingers.
Which tilak do devotees of Shiv wear?
Shaiva devotees wear the tripundra, three horizontal lines of bhasma or sandalwood.
What does a Vaishnav tilak look like?
The urdhva pundra: two upward lines from the bridge of the nose to the hairline. The shape and middle mark differ between sampradayas.
Is it necessary to apply tilak every day?
It depends on personal and family practice. Many devotees apply it after daily puja; others only on puja and festival days.