What is the Significance of Tilak in indian tradition?

Question

What is the Significance of Tilak in indian tradition?

Answer 1

To indicate that spiritual energy is concentrated in the third eye.

Answer 2

THe Tilak is worn by hindu priest, ascetics and worshipers. It is rendered as a beauty mark.

Answer 3

The Tilak spot is consciously placed at the center of the forehead  between the eyebrows. This location is significant being the location of ajna chakra, which is also known as the third eye, the eye of wisdom (jnana chakshu) or the Divine eye (divya chakshu). It is the aim of devout Hindus and yogis to open or awaken ajna chakra by constant meditation. So, this is significant because at ajna chakra is where conscious and unconscious minds unify and the element of duality merges into the one universal entity.

Therefore, the tilak signifies the quest to awaken ajna chakra. At Hindu ceremonies and rites the vermilion tilak topped with a few grains of rice are placed at the eyebrow center. This custom is also used for welcoming or bidding farewell to guests and relations. Kumkum, a red powder made from turmeric, iodine, alum and camphor can be used for the tilak, as can sandalwood paste blended with musk. Both of these blends are beneficial when mediating on ajna chakra. Sacred ash (yagna) from ceremonial fires or funeral pyres is considered to be most beneficial for yogis and sanyasis because of the renounced attachments to worldly life and the ash is a symbol of this detachment.