namam (nāmam)

(Language: Tamil)

Short Description: name, appellation; reputation, fame; also the sectarian mark worn by followers of Vishnu in southern India, worn in 12 places while reciting the 12 names of Vishnu

Long Description: When Vaisnavas in the South wear the Tiruman (qv), they do so chanting the names of Visnu; hence the term “namam”. Apart from the whitish mark of the Tiruman, the nimam also consists of the ” Sricurnam”.