Smiling Indian woman, Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Man celebrating Holi festival, Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Hindus celebrating Holi festival, Dauji, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Hare Krishna devotee praying, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Hindu blessing, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Holi celebration in Goverdan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Holi celebration in Goverdan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Holi celebration in Goverdan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Holy man begging outside a temple, Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Woman from Sonapur, east of Guwahati, of the Shakti (sun worship) sect, dressed traditionally in red, garlanded, with temple red on forehead, Kamakhya temple, Guwahati, Assam, India, Asia

Hindu pilgrim woman with tilaka, bindi mark, nostril ring and yellow facepaint at Vishwanatha Temple (Birla Temple) during Festival of Shivaratri in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindu pilgrim with bindi mark at Vishwanatha Temple (Birla Temple) during Festival of Shivaratri in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindu pilgrim with bindi dot and tilaka mark and nose stud at Vishwanatha Temple (Birla Temple) during Festival of Shivaratri in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindu Sadhu holy man with traditional markings of symbol of Shiva in street in holy city of Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Hindu Sadhu holy man with traditional markings of symbol of Shiva in street in holy city of Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Indian Hindu woman selling ceremonial flowers and offerings during Festival of Shivaratri in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindu pilgrims queue to visit Vishwanatha Temple (Birla Temple) during Festival of Shivaratri in holy city of Varanasi, India

Hindu Sadhu holy man with traditional markings in street in Nandi near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Hindu Sadhu holy man with traditional robe reads on steps of the Ghats in holy city of Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhus religious and sectarian affiliations and range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving the entire face. the application of a tilaka is usually done at the start of each day after bathing as a way to sanctify the body and prepare it to receive the divine. pashupatinath, nepal

Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhus religious sectarian affiliations range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving entire face. Vertical design of this sadhus tilaka shows to be a vaishnava, or follower of vishnu, preserver of universe. He is a benevolent gentle. gentility is reflected in worshippers devotess. application of a tilaka is usually done at start of each after bathing as a to sanctify body prepare it to receive divine. India

Sadhu puting chandan tilaka, india