Haldi
Turmeric, the yellow root used across South Asia as a spice, a dye and a sacred substance.
Also: turmeric, manjal, haridra
Haldi is the Hindi name for turmeric, a root related to ginger. Dried and ground, it gives a deep yellow powder. It colours and flavours food, and it has long been used to dye cloth, though the colour fades in sunlight. In Hindu custom yellow from turmeric is auspicious. Before many Indian weddings, family members rub a paste of turmeric on the bride and groom in a ceremony itself called haldi. Threads, rice and the corners of wedding invitations are touched with it. Mixed with lime, turmeric turns red, the traditional way of making kumkum.