Uses Of Turmeric In Hinduism
Turmeric is a spice that is widely used as a
spice for cooking in Indian kitchen. It is one of the most basic Indian spices
without which food cannot be cooked in Indian households. But turmeric is not
just a culinary ingredient. Turmeric has many spiritual uses in India. These
spiritual uses of turmeric extend to Hindu religious rituals.
Turmeric or haldi as it is called in India also
has medicinal powers, Haldi is also the name of a pre-wedding ceremony. In this
ceremony (that usually happens just a day before the wedding), the bride and
the groom are adorned with turmeric paste and then bathed in milk. Turmeric is
associated with purity, fertility and auspicious beginnings in Hindu culture.
Here are some of spiritual uses of turmeric in Hinduism.
Here are some of spiritual uses of turmeric in Hinduism.
On Wedding Cards
The wedding cards of a Hindu wedding are first
marked with haldi and kumkum and then distributed to the guests. This show that
turmeric has many spiritual uses in a wedding ceremony.
Adorns The Gods
Turmeric paste is used to adorn the statues or
murtis of God. For example, Lord Vishnu loves to be decorated with haldi. Three
main ingredients are used for adorning the gods, haldi, chandan (sandalwood)
and kum kum (vermilion)
The Wedding Ceremony
Just before the wedding, ubtan or turmeric paste
is applied on the groom and bride. This ritual is meant to make their minds and
bodies pure before the marriage ceremony. Moreover, turmeric is also a natural
ingredient that lightens your skin and cures acne. So it has beauty benefits
too.
Tilak
Indians have a custom of welcoming a person back
home or bidding farewell to a person by doing aarti and tilak or tikka. This
tilak is a dot or line drawn on the forehead. This is done for the protection
of the person who is leaving So, when the women of the house does the tilak and
say God be with you, they use haldi and kum kum.
Religious
Art Haldi is often used along with kum kum to
draw religious figures like swastika, om etc. These religious symbols are
usually drawn with either turmeric or vermilion.
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