Hindu Council of Australia has compiled a list of Hindu Icons that Hindus may wear on their body and which have spiritual significance. This list has been made to remove confusion among non-Hindus about what is sacred to Hindus.

Hindu Sacraments worn on the body

Hindu icons all year round

Scared Hindu icons that can not be removed

1. Nose stud – essential for girls during puberty, can not be removed for one year.
2. Yajnopavit/Janaue – essential for boys after their Yajnopavit right of passage, once worn can not be removed and worn again without extensive rituals (not even during swimming lessons)
3. Sindoor/Mangalsutra – essential for married women. Removal is not permitted while husband is alive.
4. Choti/Shikha – small hair tail for boys during a right of passage.
5. Pagdi (Turban, A cloth wrapped around the head) – touching or removing it is disrespectful. It can be removed for a short period in privacy, like when having a shower and must be worn as soon as possible.
6. Sivalingam (Veera and Adi Shiva people, Lingayat) or other Hindu Gods as pendant in a necklace.

Sacred Hindu icons that can be removed by the wearer

1. Bindi – optional for women and girls, it can not be removed by others.
2. Bangles worn on wrists by women – a cultural item
3. Kondhani – a bracelet made of black thread worn around the waist
4. Anklets (Pahjeb, Payal) – a metal bracelet worn on ankles
5. Ear rings/studs for boys and girls in some families
6. Gem stone on rings for special effects of planets
7. Hindu Sacraments worn on Special Occasions

1. Anklets (Pahjeb, Payal) – a metal bracelet worn on ankles. Pixabay

1. Tulsi Mala – A necklace of Tulsi beads. During special religious observations.
2. Teeka, Tilak, Vibhuti – essential during Hindu prayers, optional otherwise
3. Mehendi/henna/turmeric – essential when getting married or when a close family member gets married, optional for married women during karva chauth day. Henna is a fast colour (looks like a emporary tatto) that takes a week or more to fade away
4. Men are not allowed to cut their hair during Sabramalai month (Mid of November to January 14/15)
5. Rakhi – a special bracelet worn on special festival day of Rakhi.
6. Kajal/Surma (dark black eye ointment)
7. Raksha/mouli – multi colour thread bracelet as a protective icon during special days
8. Gajra – a flower arrangement by woman at the back of there hair.

Hindu icons in a Hindu home

These icons have to be treated with extreme respect and should not be touched or removed without the owners consent.

1. Rangoli, Toran, Aum and Swastika – optional display inside or outside the home.
2. Home shrine

(Originally Published: Hindu Council of Australia)