Tripundra
Three horizontal lines of sacred ash across the forehead, worn by devotees of Shiva.
Also: tripundra tilak
The tripundra is three parallel lines of vibhuti, sacred ash, drawn across the forehead with the fingers, often with a red dot in the centre. It is the mark of Shaiva Hindus, followers of Shiva, and is worn by many priests and ascetics and by worshippers at temples such as the Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. Some also mark the arms and chest. Texts give the lines various meanings, by tradition.