The Central Mark of Śrī
Śrī Cūrṇam (Sanskrit: śrī = Mahālakṣmī / auspiciousness + cūrṇa = powder) is the sacred vertical mark placed in the centre of the white tirumaṇ or ūrdhva-puṇḍra. In the Śrī Vaiṣṇava experience, the white marks recall Bhagavān's lotus feet and the central Śrī Cūrṇam recalls Periya Pirāṭṭiyār, who is inseparably united with Him and performs puruṣakāra for the jīva.
The substance is traditionally prepared from auspicious material, commonly turmeric or a turmeric-derived preparation. According to processing and inherited custom it may appear yellow, saffron-orange, reddish, or red. The complete tirunāmam therefore teaches that the devotee approaches Nārāyaṇa together with Śrī, never imagining a separation between the Divya Dampati.
Lineage and Regional Forms
The shape of the white tirumaṇ and the form, width, and shade of the central line vary among Ācārya lineages, families, temples, and regions. Broad Vaḍakalai and Teṉkalai visual patterns are widely recognized, especially in the overall shape of the tirumaṇ, but the simple equation 'Vaḍakalai always red, Teṉkalai always yellow' is not a reliable universal rule. The puruṣakāra symbolism is shared, while the actual application follows one's sampradāya and Ācārya-upadeśa.
Śrī Cūrṇam is not merely decorative. Together with the twelve ūrdhva-puṇḍra marks and the remembrance of the corresponding divine names, it expresses the body and self as belonging to the Divya Dampati and fit for their kainkaryam.