Tilaka

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Tilaka or puṇḍra. Marks in Hinduism, made on the body, usually the forehead, to indicate caste or sect membership. The single spot of red, white, or yellow in the middle of the forehead is the sign of marriage. Lines of ash (puṇḍra) are worn by male ascetics, three vertical lines in V formation for devotees of Viṣṇu, three horizontal lines for those of Śiva, twelve to different parts of the body for those of Śrī-Kṛṣṇa.