Sindoor

Sindoor (Hindi: सिंदूर, IAST: sindūr) or sindura (Sanskrit: सिन्दूर,IAST: sindūra) is a traditional vermilion red or orange-red or maroon cosmetic powder from South Asia, usually worn by married women along the part of their hairline. In Hindu communities, the sindoor is considered auspicious and is a visual marker of marital status of a woman and ceasing to wear it usually implies widowhood.

Traditional sindoor was made with turmeric and alum or lime, or from other herbal ingredients. Unlike red lead and vermilion, these are not poisonous. Some commercial sindoor products contain synthetic ingredients, some of which are not manufactured to proper standards and may contain lead.