The application of Holy Ash

The Holy Ash, that decorates the bodies of Lord shiva and
shaivites, is very sacred and there are prescriptions on how it
needs to be adored and adorned. Here are few of those. The two
ways of getting adorned with holy ash are tripuNDram,
uddUlanam. The first is applying the holy ash in the form of three
distinct bands and the second is sprinkling it on the part of the
body.
Way 1
One simple way would be to chant thirunIRRuppadhikam (1)
while taking the Holy ash and while getting adorned with that
chant the aghora panchAxaram (The aghora Holy Five Letters)
which is shivAya namaH.
Way 2
With clean hands take the Holy Ash chanting the sadyojAdAdi
mantras and the mA no mahantam mantra from shrI rudram.
Way 3
Those who perform rituals, perform shiva pUja should first take
the holy ash without adding water and sprinkle on their head,
forehead, chest and two shoulders. Later using the right hand
index, middle and the ring finger take the holy ash, keep in the
left hand, close it with right hand and chant these mantras

panchakalA mantram
omnivRitikalAyainamaH
ompratiShTAkalAyainamaH
omvidyAkalAyainamaH
omshAntikalAyainamaH
omshAntyatItakalAyainamaH

panchabrahma mantram
omIshAnAyanamaH
omtatpuruShAyanamaH
omaghorAyanamaH
omvAmadevAyanamaH
omsadyojAdAyanamaH

ShDhaNga mantram
omhRidayAyanamaH
omshirashenamaH

omshikAyainamaH
omkavachAyanamaH
omnetrAyanamaH
omastrAyanamaH

Then saying hRidayAya namaH, add water and saying

kavachAya vauShaT, mix it. Chant the first four of the above said
panchabrahma mantram and apply (with the three fingers of the
right hand mentioned above - index, middle and ring fingers) the
holy ash paste on the first four places of the body. (See below for
the list of places where to apply holy ash). Chant the fifth
mantram when applying at the other parts of the body. While
applying face up, so that the holy ash does not spill down on the
ground. If by mistake the holy ash spills on the ground, clean that
area with water.

The places to apply the holy ash on the body

vibhUti can be worn either in 32 places or 16 places or 8 places
or five places.

32 Places
Head
Forehead
Twoears
Twoeyes
Nose
Mouth
Neck
Twoshoulders
Twoelbows
Twowrists
Chest
Tworibs
Navel
Twosidesofgroin
Buttocks
TwoUrUs
Twothighs
Twoknees
Twoankles
Twofeet
Total32Places

16 Places
Head
Forehead
2ears
Neck
2Shoulders
2Elbows
2Wrists
Chest
Navel
2Ribs
Back
Total16places

8 Places
Head
Forehead
2ears
2Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total8places

5 Places
Forehead
2Shoulders
Chest
Navel
Total5places

One of the ways of taking bath as prescribed by vedas is known

as Agneyam. It is defined as Agneyam bhasmasnAnam. That is
Agneyam bath is nothing but bathing in the holy ash.
The holy ash has very good medicinal value. This could
prevent/cure 81 diseases that are out of air (vAta), and 64 of
diseases caused by bile(pittam), and 215 of phlegm (kapham).
The Holy Ash is the most ancient symbol. It is hailed in the vedas
along with rudrAxam(2). Even the devotees of Lord viShNu used
to wear this originally (kariyamEni michai veLiya nIRu
chiRidhEyidum periya kOlath thadaNkaNNan, nIRu chevvE
idakkANil nedumAladiyAr enROdum - divya prabhandham). The
following scriptures talk about the glory of the Holy Ash.