I rarely have the opportunity to wear a bindi (other than around my home - yes, my husband thinks I'm a nut) but a few evenings ago we attended a lavish birthday party of a good friend and yes, we got to get all dressed up in Indian Chic.
Turban-wearing shirtless men (who have spent way too much time at the gym) balanced like statues on tall pillars holding long torches with wildly burning flames, made for quite the grand welcome to this elaborate party in a very hip gallery in the far nether regions of West Chelsea in Manhattan.
3 mendhi artists were also on call, which you know yours truly took full advantage of. See....
Below are some bindi's in my personal collection, which of course I don't get to wear in public nearly as often as I would like.
Bindi's are originally a sacred symbol but are also used as adornment, such as when attending festivities. Quite flattering as a fashion accessory, they come is all shapes, colors and sizes. Plus, they make me feel Indian so I'm always a fan of that. =)
The bindi is placed on the spiritual (or third) eye, which is in the middle of the forehead. Hindus believe this sacared part of the body to be for spiritual sight. While highlighting the third eye, the bindi also protects it which helps to cultivate spiritual vision. Through the third eye, Hindus believe to see all that which cannot be seen through the two physical eyes.
In my yoga and meditation practice I've been focusing more on my third eye, drawing energy all through the central line of the body and the effects are deep and powerful. My teachers also stress the benefits of the spiritual eye making contact with the floor during balasana, or child's pose, when the body can surrender to gravity and the overactive mind can become quiet thus enabling the third eye to open. It is believed that when the individual's spiritual eye opens he attains true enlightenment and gets closer to God.
7 comments:
The Third Eye, hmmm. Ther's so much mystery to the power of the third eye.
Stunning bindis...I love them too!
Beautiful photos and very interesting post, as always - I love popping by for a visit..:)
Hi Anil, I agree - there is so much mystery, which intrigues me all the more. Thanks for visiting. Always nice to hear from you. I absolutely love your writings.
Hi HTE, Thanks for your kind words and for popping by! Can't wait to see you next post.
Take care,
Shireena
what a lovely post,i have so many bindis like you do too,sad that i cant wear it everyday in the western world.nitya does though from time to time.i am the happiest when there is a special occasion and i can wear all the indian finery.
:)
Hi dear Shireena,
Thank you for the delicious sounding Chai recipe you mentioned here so long ago. I will try it and because I have the sniffles, I will try the lime/lemon chai recipe you pointed to on the same post. Yummm. Thank you.
It is great to finally visit you here, after you gave me your blog address months ago at Kent. Love,
Ellen
Okay fine, I know that this entry is old, but I'm only now discovering the depths of your blog - and loving it. :)
Bindis, mehndi, bangles, earrings, necklaces, the clothes and just everything festive and colorful about India makes me lovee being an Indian woman. Hehe.
I think it's really awesome how immersed you are in Indian culture. Total sidenote, but I love inter-racial couples, because they have the most interesting dynamics to their relationship - so much more to explore not just about each other as an individual, but as a person belonging to a different culture, society, religion, etc. It's just exciting. :)
hey shireena
Superb blog..i love the photographs that you have here...amazing talent :)
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