Kum Kum (Sindoor) - The ubiquitious red powder - Sindoor is a potent symbol of loyalty, devotion and commitment. Placing the sindoor, signifies that the mind of the devotee must be fully committed to the Lord. It is also a reminder to brighten one's personality with the beauty of virtues and good qualities. Most religious Indians, especially married women wear a tilak or pottu on the forehead. It is applied daily after the bath and on special occasions, before or after ritualistic worship or visit to the temple. In many communities, it is enjoined upon married women to sport a kum kum on their foreheads at all times.

The orthodox put it on with due rituals. The tilak is applied on saints and images of the Lord as a form of worship and in many parts of North India as a respectful form of welcome, to honor guests or when bidding farewell to a son or husband about to embark on an journey. The tilak varies in color and form. The entire body emanates energy in the form of electro-magnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eye brows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and causes a headache. The tilak or potty cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes, the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic reusable 'stick bindis' is not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.

Abir (Black powder) - This is also in important part of the Pooja custom and is used as for decorative purpose and is applied as a 'tilak' on the forehead of the Deity.

Haldi (Turmeric) - This is also an important part of the Pooja or any festive ritual and is used as decorative item and is primarily used for applying 'tilak' on the forehead of the Deity. Haldi is a very cleansing substance and represents the purifying of the thoughts to adorn the mind