Kumkum is most often applied by Indians to the forehead. The reason for this particular location has to do with the ancient Indian belief that "the human body is divided into seven vortices of energy, called chakras, beginning at the base of the spine and ending at the top of the head.
The sixth chakra also known as the third eye is centered in the forehead directly between the eyebrows and is believed to be the channel through which humankind opens spiritually to the Divine. Thus the kumkum is placed at the location of the body which is believed by Indians to be the most holy.
When a girl or a married woman visits a house, it is a sign of respect in case of an elderly lady or blessings (in case of a young girl) to offer kumkum to them when they leave. However, it is not offered to widows.
When visiting a temple, married women from southern India usually dip their ring finger in yellow turmeric powder, and apply a dot on their neck. In southern India, many unmarried girls will wear a bindi every day unlike northern India where it is only worn as a symbol of marriage.
