Urdhva Pundram
The upward mark of white Thiruman with the Srichurnam in it, worn each morning on the forehead and at eleven more places, with one of the Lord's twelve names said at each.
What it is
Urdhva Pundram means an upward mark. A Sri Vaishnava wears it on the forehead and at eleven more places on the upper body, twelve marks in all. Because each mark goes with one of the Lord's names, putting it on is often called wearing the thiruman kappu.
Why it is worn
The white mark is understood as the sacred feet of the Lord, and the line placed within it stands for Sri Mahalakshmi, who is never apart from Him. Wearing it each day keeps the Lord's feet in mind and marks the wearer as His own. The deeper meanings are learned from one's acharya.
When it is worn
It is put on after the morning bath, sitting down, before Sandhya, Tiruvaradhanam and the other daily duties. The exact form is as one's family and acharya wear it.
Thiruman and Srichurnam
Thiruman is a white sacred clay; a little of it is mixed with water into a paste for the marks. Srichurnam is a red powder placed in each mark for Sri Mahalakshmi. All twelve Thiruman marks are put on first, and then the Srichurnam is placed in each, in the same order.
The steps, with their mantras
The twelve places, in order, with the name said at each. The forehead comes first; then the middle of the abdomen, chest and neck; then three places on the right and the same three on the left; and last, two on the back. Learn the correct sound, and the prayers for preparing the Thiruman, from your father or acharya.
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Forehead
keśavāya namaḥ
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Middle of the abdomen
nārāyaṇāya namaḥ
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Middle of the chest
mādhavāya namaḥ
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Front of the neck
govindāya namaḥ
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Right side of the abdomen
viṣṇave namaḥ
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Right shoulder
madhusūdanāya namaḥ
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Right side of the neck
trivikramāya namaḥ
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Left side of the abdomen
vāmanāya namaḥ
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Left shoulder
śrīdharāya namaḥ
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Left side of the neck
hṛṣīkeśāya namaḥ
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Lower back
padmanābhāya namaḥ
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Back of the neck
dāmodarāya namaḥ
Sources: ponnadi.blogspot.com · SriPedia ebook (ibiblio) · ramanuja.org Bhakti List · sanskritdocuments.org
These pages explain what each practice is, its steps and their meaning; the Tiruvaradhanam, Sandhyavandanam and Bhojana vidhi pages also give their mantras. Learn them, with their right sound, from your father or acharya, as has always been the way. The order and details differ between families and mathams; where they do, follow your acharya and your elders.