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4. VAISHNAVA Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal |
Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhu's religious and sectarian affiliations and range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving the entire face. The vertical design of this sadhu's tilaka shows him to be a Vaishnava, or follower of Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe. He is a benevolent and gentle god. His gentility is reflected in his worshippers and devotess. The application of a tilaka is usually done at the start of each day after bathing as a way to sanctify the body and prepare it to receive the divine. |