Read this in Hindi. Sindoor also popularly known as kumkum in the southern part of India is commonly used by all married Hindu women as it signifies the sacred bond of marriage. Sindoor is regularly used along the parting of the hair. Some women even use it to make a dot on the forehead called bindi. In olden days sindoor was made at home using turmeric powder alum calcium salt camphor saffron sandalwood and beet extracts. However in present times this sacred red orange powder must be used carefully because it has side effects beyond imagination. Chemical composition of sindoor