A Red thread around the wrist is the new fad of Hindu ritual identification. Called Mauli or Kalva, a priest or an older adult ties it after a ceremonial event. The wearer is supposed to keep the thread until it gets worn out.
The literal meaning of Mauli in Sanskrit is ‘crown,’ which means above all. There are several mythological stories about the origin of Mauli and claims of health benefits.
The red cotton thread often gets mixed with small colours of yellow or orange. It is supposed to dispense some magical powers of protection, ward off misfortune, and attract good luck.
Many who wear the Mauli feel firm that its removal can bring bad luck.
The fear factor dominates all the world’s religions, and Hinduism is not an exception. The sacred thread symbolizes that fear, besides its ritualistic value.
Progressive Hindu Dialogue 
I agree Sir. The Mauli or Kalvi is sadly fear instilled by priests and something I wore religiously in the past to protect the self or blessings but now immediately remove it once the prayer is done. My Mom believe in it but finds it irrational and sadly we are giving wings to dark beliefs!
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Correct statement: It is fear that rules all the people who think they are of certain religion, and for those who think they follow Hinduism, it is no exception.
Religions themselves do not prescribe these elements because of which, a glorious start happened for all. It’s degradation into chaos occured due to corrupt interpretations and modifications by people of every time and place. No wonder Gita had to assure “sambhavami yuge yuge” implying there will be a deterioration,for sure, of tenets of understanding spiritual law and someone, avatar or so, will correct it timely. 🙂
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“There will be deterioration, for sure”. We can recognize that ‘deterioration’. But our intelligence, based on the knowledge we gain in the rational world we live in, does not have to accept this “degradation’. Moreover, we don’t have to wait for ‘avatar’ to ‘correct it’. What is wrong is wrong, the civil society has to correct it. Anyway, thanks for your comments, which always stimulate more views.
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Again, what is wrong to us need not be wrong to the one wronging. This is where we need absoluteness beyond relativeness. Don’t you think the chaos and deterioration occured because of this core difference? When an avatar comes (as a whole personality or as the kindling impulse of our fight against apparent unlawful elements) then too this relativity exists (eg: Krishna was god only to few, pandavas, not kauravas and hence did not follow his tenets). So, one who sees beyond these relatives will eventually have to take shelter in nature in and around him. This subtle observance and contemplative discovery with actions that tend to give happiness not only to him but the world around, will show “absolute” way for peaceful living. As such there is no absolute way. But if goal is peace, then there is and that’s what needs to be found by everyone.
(You are replying as a separate comment and I am not getting notification. Can you please reply under my comment so that I can get a notif when you reply so that I can revert back easily? Thanks)
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