Shikha or Tuft

Brahmins (Brahmanas) as well as the other castes grow Choti

or Sikha, a tuft of hair.
This tuft of hair was not so small in olden days, as seen in the
present day. It covered the whole brain. They allowed the hair
to grow. They never cut the tuft. It protects the brain from any
sudden stroke and keeps it cool. The heat of the sun does not
affect the head directly.
The tuft is most scientific as well as religious. Any religious act
should be performed after tying the tuft. Only the funeral and
death anniversaries are performed with tuft untied or with
dishevelled hair.
It is very inauspicious to remain with dishevelled hair. It is
done only in times of great sorrow or calamity.
Draupadi took an oath in the assembly of the Kurus when she
was molested by Dussasana that she would remain with
dishevelled hair until the enemies were properly revenged.
Kaikeyi remained with dishevelled hair in her apartment with
the object of getting two boons from Dasaratha which were
detrimental to the interests of Rama, the favourite of
Dasaratha.
Auspicious acts are never undertaken with tuft untied.
Nowadays, very few people wear tuft, and even women are
neglecting this.
The tuft of hair has a salutary effect on the essential parts of
the brain and the central nervous system.