Significance of applying Vibhuti on the forehead

March 11, 2021 Incredible India Valli Sarvani

Today is Maha Shivratri. Devotees of Lord Shiva observe fasting and Jagran on this auspicious day.

Besides, they worship Lord Shiva by chanting Om Namah Shivaya. Devotees apply Vibhuti or Holy Ash on their forehead and to the body while worshipping Lord Shiva.

Do you know why Vibhuti considered as sacred?

Here is the significance of Vibhuti:

Vibhu means the supreme or Lord of all. Hence, Vibhuti refers to the Supreme power of God.
Devotees believe that applying Vibhuti on their forehead represents their surrender and devotion to Lord Shiva.
In Hinduism, followers of Lord Shiva believe that Vibhuti is a symbol of detachment. It denotes leaving everything in this world after death. It also reminds the need for burning desires to know the truth of mortal life.
Devotees also believe Vibhuti would protect them from all negative forces and health ailments when applied to their body.
Hindus believe in rebirths; they also believe that all good and bad deeds of the previous birth will be carried forward to the new life. They also believe that humans are born from ashes and perish into ashes, and Vibhuti signifies that.
As per a legend, Lord Shiva turned everything in all the three worlds (Triloka) – the earth, heaven and atmosphere, including Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu into ashes. He then applied this ash to his body to show his supreme power. Since then, the practice of application of Vibhuti on the body came into force.
Shiva burnt Manmadha, the Love God in ashes, by opening his third eye to represent the burning of lust.
It also said Lord Shiva destroys impurities in objects to make them pure.
Vibhuti is applied as a dot or three lines on the forehead. As per beliefs, these three lines represent the removal of pride, ignorance and bad actions.
Some people believe that the application of Vibhuti on the forehead regulates the third eye (Ajna) chakra.

Image Credit: Indianhilbilly / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons