Kumkum

Kumkum (Sanskrit कुङ्कुमम् "kuṅkumam", Tamil குங்குமம் "kungumam")- is a powder used for social and religious markings in Hinduism. It is either made from turmeric or saffron. The turmeric is dried and powdered with a bit of slaked lime, which turns the rich yellow powder into red color.

The kumkum is an auspicious symbol. When a girl or a married woman visits a house, it is a sign of respect (in case of an elderly lady) or blessings (in case of a young girl) to offer kumkum to them when they leave. However, it is not offered to widows. When visiting a Hindu temple, married women from southern India usually dip their ring finger in yellow turmeric powder, and apply a dot on their neck. Men, women, girls, and boys apply a dot on their forehead of red turmuric powder, also when visiting a temple or during a pooja. In most of India, everyday, married women apply red kumkum in front of their parting on their forehead as a symbol of marriage. This is called vermilion, or in Hindi, "sindoor".

Kumkum is also widely used for worshiping the Hindu goddesses, especially Shakti and Lakshmi.

ee also

* [http://www.sajaforum.org/2008/01/desi-spotting-2.html A kumkum recall in the U.S., Jan. 16, 2008]
*Bindi (decoration)
*Bindu
*Bushra
*Holi
*Kumkum (TV series)
*Praveen shah
*Tilak

Kum Kum is also an indian drama of indian channel star plus.