Kumkuma (కుంకుమ, kumkum) is the red powder offered to the Goddess and worn as bottu. Traditionally it is made from turmeric treated with lime – the turmeric turns from yellow to red – which is why pasupu and kumkuma always go together. Kumkuma is not the same as sindhuram (orange vermilion used for Hanuman).
How kumkuma is used
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Bottu and tilakam – on the forehead, often with gandham.
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The deity and the kalasam – offered to Lakshmi, Gowri and Durga, and on the kalasam and coconut.
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Kumkumarchana – kumkuma offered with each name of the Lalita Sahasranama or Ashtottaram. See our kumkuma puja samagri list.
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Vayanam and tamboolam – pasupu and kumkuma given to sumangalis at vratams.
How much do you need?
| Occasion |
Usual quantity |
| Daily puja / a month |
25 g |
| Satyanarayana vratam |
about 50 g |
| Varalakshmi vratam |
about 50 g |
| Rudrabhishekam |
50–100 g |
| Ganapati homam |
about 100 g |
| Gruhapravesham, Chandi homam |
about 150 g |
| Upanayanam |
about 200 g |
| Kumkumarchana (Sahasranamam) |
100–250 g |
Quantities follow our own puja kits and samagri lists; the kumkumarchana figure is a guide. Store kumkuma dry and closed so it does not cake.
Questions families ask
What is kumkuma made of?
Traditionally turmeric treated with lime (sunnam), which turns it red. Store kumkum varies – ours is meant for puja and bottu.
Is kumkuma the same as sindhuram?
No. Sindhuram is orange vermilion, offered mainly to Hanuman. Kumkuma is the red powder for the Goddess and for bottu.
How much kumkuma do I need for kumkumarchana?
For a Sahasranama archana by one or two people, 100 g is usually enough; for a group archana take 250 g.
Goes well with
Pasupu (turmeric powder) · Gandham · Pasupu kommulu · Varalakshmi vratham kit
Delivery: shipped across India, ₹100 flat delivery per order. Returns are accepted if an item arrives damaged, defective or wrong.
Buying for a whole puja? Send your samagri list on WhatsApp (+91 81210 07481) and we pack it together, or pick a ready puja samagri kit. For the Telugu, English and Hindi name of every item, see Telugu Pooja Samagri Names.
