Urdhva Pundra. Body is a temple

Urdhva Pundra (also spelled Urdhva Puṇḍra) is the vertical religious mark (tilaka) worn primarily by Vaishnavas, followers of Lord Vishnu. Here’s a concise explanation:

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Meaning of Urdhva Pundra:

• “Urdhva” means upward or vertical.
• “Pundra” refers to a mark or symbol.
• Together, Urdhva Pundra refers to the vertical tilaka markings typically applied on the forehead and other parts of the body as a sacred sign of devotion to Vishnu or Krishna.

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Form and Appearance:

• Usually drawn using Gopi Chandan (sacred clay from Dwarka or Vrindavan) or white clay.
• The basic pattern is two vertical white lines (symbolizing Lord Vishnu’s feet), often with:
  
• a red, yellow, or black line in the middle (symbolizing Lakshmi or the Lord’s presence).
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Symbolism:

• The two white lines: Vishnu’s lotus feet.
• The middle line or dot: Lakshmi Devi, Tulsi, or sometimes Krishna’s flute depending on the sampradaya.
• The shape is usually U-shaped or Y-shaped, varying between sects.

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Different Vaishnava Traditions (Sampradayas):

Sampradaya	Urdhva Pundra Style	Middle Line Symbol
Sri Vaishnava	U-shaped white lines + red line in the center	Lakshmi
Madhva (Dvaita)	Vertical lines, often thicker or bolder	Usually yellow
Gaudiya Vaishnava	Thin vertical lines + Tulsi leaf at nose bridge	Tulsi leaf
Vallabha Sampradaya	Single vertical line or T-shaped mark	Krishna’s flute

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Spiritual Purpose:

• Reminds the devotee of their surrender to Vishnu/Krishna.
• Marks the body as a temple of God.
• Worn during puja, japa, or throughout the day by ascetics and serious practitioners.

Would you like to see a diagram comparing the different Urdhva Pundra marks?