Navaratri is the time women invite each other to offer traditional thamboolam with kungumam ( sindoor ). Many of the hymns praise the auspicious vermilion on Devi’s forehead — as brilliant as the rising sun. Even Her form as radiant as the crimson powder. There was a time when kumkum was made at home with organic ingredients. One of the heritage treasures pushed to the background, the art of kumkum-making recently came into limelight. Adulterated products, which leave the skin irritated and scarred, often deter users. Ranjani Sabarish decided that making the product at home was the only answer. Getting hold of an authentic recipe, she took the plunge. The result was fragrant red kumkum , sachets of which were distributed at Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati’s camp, Ayodhya Mantapam. The Sankaracharya also released a book on the significance of wearing kumkum on the forehead. The slender volume in English and Tamil has been written by Sri Sarma Sastrigal, author of several such works on the aspects of Sanatana Dharma. Besides several nuggets of information, the book contains the method to prepare kumkum .
