Lord Vishnu devotees identify themselves with a sacred mark on the forehead known as Urdhva Pundra or Namam. This Tilak in Hindu religion is only worn by Vaishnavas. Urdhva means vertical and Pundram means mark. Urdhva Pundra is in the shape of the lotus feet of Lord Vishnu with a red dot or red line in the middle. The red dot in the middle represents Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. Urdhva Pundra is also referred as Naamam or Thiruman kappu.
Urdhva Pundra is marked on forehead using sandal paste or white clay. Two vertical lines meet at the base and in between the lines is a red dot or line. For some devotees the vertical lines meet on the starting of the nose.
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