Why do people wear Tilak on their forehead?

The significance of different types of tilaks worn on the forehead, associated with deities like Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, and the Vaishnav tradition.

Each tilak type has a unique design, representing devotion to a specific deity or tradition:

◆ Shiva: Three horizontal white lines with a red dot, symbolizing devotion to Lord Shiva.

◆ Krishna: A vertical red line with two white lines, representing followers of Lord Krishna.

◆ Vaishnav: A U-shaped tilak with a red dot, symbolizing devotion to Lord Vishnu in the Vaishnav tradition.

◆ Vishnu: A white and red vertical tilak, signifying dedication to Lord Vishnu.

The tilak or pottu is believed to invoke a sense of purity, provide divine blessings, protect against negative forces, and keep the forehead cool while preventing energy loss.