Vibhuti also called Bhasma (Holy ash) is a word that has several meanings in Hinduism. Generally, it is used to denote the sacred ash which is made of burnt dried wood in Āgamic rituals.
Hindu devotees apply vibhuti traditionally as three horizontal lines across the forehead and other parts of the body to honor Shiva.
There are many aspects to the usage of vibhuti or sacred ash. First of all, it is a great medium to transfer or transmit energy, and it has an ability to help direct and control the energy body.
Apart from that, there is a symbolic significance to applying it on the body.
It is a constant reminder of the mortal nature of life - it is like you are always wearing mortality on your body. Vibhuti is usually worn on the forehead, arms or the neck. It is a common practice to wear a Vibhuti tilaka on forehead with a red sindoor tilaka.
Vibhuti is the representation of Shiva while the red sindoor denotes Shakti. It is a symbolic representation that Shiva and Shakti are the only truth in the Universe and everything is in being only through the union of Shiva and Shakti.
