Aishanya Dwivedi, the grieving wife of martyred soldier Shubham Dwivedi, broke into tears when she saw her husband’s photograph and heard that India had named its military operation against Pakistan as "Operation Sindoor". For her, this was more than a name—it was a symbol deeply rooted in emotion. “It connected with us on a personal level" she told News 18, moved by the poignant gesture.
‘Sindoor’, the scarlet powder applied by Hindu brides to the parting of their hair, is more than a cosmetic ritual—it embodies generations of tradition, identity, and sacred marital commitment. Long before films like Om Shanti Om glamorized it through iconic lines like “ek chutki sindoor ki keemat...”, it held profound spiritual and emotional meaning in Indian households.
The cultural importance of sindoor is immeasurable. In countless homes, girls grow up watching their mothers and grandmothers wear it proudly, associating it with dreams of lifelong companionship. It’s believed that these symbols—the red powder, glass bangles, and the radiant joy of a new bride—illuminate a woman’s life with the glow of love and commitment.
When the horrific militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the life of Shubham Dwivedi, a photograph of Aishanya, adorned with wedding bangles and seated beside her husband’s lifeless body, went viral. Her image alone—her attire, her freshly applied sindoor—told a thousand stories. She was a new bride, robbed of her future.
The visual ignited a wave of collective sorrow and fury across India. Her pain became the nation’s grief. It was a heart-wrenching reminder of what ‘sindoor’ represents: love, union, and now, sacrifice.
Historically, this red pigment has been a hallmark of Indian marriages. Traditionally, it is the groom who first applies sindoor to the bride during the sacred wedding rituals, particularly during the ‘pheras’, symbolizing their sacred bond. Though most commonly red, regional traditions vary—women in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh often wear orange or even pink sindoor, each shade reflecting cultural diversity.
Beyond its aesthetic role, sindoor also holds symbolic meanings: it signifies a woman’s prayers for her husband’s longevity, her fertility, and prosperity in their shared life. It’s a physical manifestation of her dedication and unspoken vows.
Even ancient history recognizes its value—archaeological findings of 5000-year-old female figurines with painted hair partings show its antiquity. In the Ramayana, Sita is said to have worn sindoor as a tribute to her devotion to Rama. Its placement at the Ajna chakra—the center of the forehead associated with focus and emotions—adds layers of spiritual significance.
Ayurveda also attributes health benefits to sindoor. It is said to stimulate blood circulation and enhance vitality, which is why widows and unmarried women traditionally refrain from wearing it.
Cinema too has reflected this duality. In the 1947 film Sindoor, the subject of widow remarriage was boldly explored. The movie ended with a widow reclaiming her right to love again—by reapplying sindoor. Decades later, Om Shanti Om would reaffirm its cultural legacy.
‘Sindoor’, the scarlet powder applied by Hindu brides to the parting of their hair, is more than a cosmetic ritual—it embodies generations of tradition, identity, and sacred marital commitment. Long before films like Om Shanti Om glamorized it through iconic lines like “ek chutki sindoor ki keemat...”, it held profound spiritual and emotional meaning in Indian households.
The cultural importance of sindoor is immeasurable. In countless homes, girls grow up watching their mothers and grandmothers wear it proudly, associating it with dreams of lifelong companionship. It’s believed that these symbols—the red powder, glass bangles, and the radiant joy of a new bride—illuminate a woman’s life with the glow of love and commitment.
When the horrific militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, claimed the life of Shubham Dwivedi, a photograph of Aishanya, adorned with wedding bangles and seated beside her husband’s lifeless body, went viral. Her image alone—her attire, her freshly applied sindoor—told a thousand stories. She was a new bride, robbed of her future.
The visual ignited a wave of collective sorrow and fury across India. Her pain became the nation’s grief. It was a heart-wrenching reminder of what ‘sindoor’ represents: love, union, and now, sacrifice.
Historically, this red pigment has been a hallmark of Indian marriages. Traditionally, it is the groom who first applies sindoor to the bride during the sacred wedding rituals, particularly during the ‘pheras’, symbolizing their sacred bond. Though most commonly red, regional traditions vary—women in parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh often wear orange or even pink sindoor, each shade reflecting cultural diversity.
Beyond its aesthetic role, sindoor also holds symbolic meanings: it signifies a woman’s prayers for her husband’s longevity, her fertility, and prosperity in their shared life. It’s a physical manifestation of her dedication and unspoken vows.
Even ancient history recognizes its value—archaeological findings of 5000-year-old female figurines with painted hair partings show its antiquity. In the Ramayana, Sita is said to have worn sindoor as a tribute to her devotion to Rama. Its placement at the Ajna chakra—the center of the forehead associated with focus and emotions—adds layers of spiritual significance.
Ayurveda also attributes health benefits to sindoor. It is said to stimulate blood circulation and enhance vitality, which is why widows and unmarried women traditionally refrain from wearing it.
Cinema too has reflected this duality. In the 1947 film Sindoor, the subject of widow remarriage was boldly explored. The movie ended with a widow reclaiming her right to love again—by reapplying sindoor. Decades later, Om Shanti Om would reaffirm its cultural legacy.
You may also like
Post strike, India mounts fresh diplomatic offensive
Trump offers 'help' to stop tensions escalate between India and Pakistan
Donald Trump's controlling 8-word order to Canadian PM Mark Carney left lip reader 'surprised'
PM Modi's recorded speech hints he locked May 7 for strike
Vladimir Putin declares Ukraine ceasefire as he marks 'Victory Day' in Russia
