Indian customs and culture are well-known worldwide. Since India’s culture and customs are so varied, vibrant, and distinctive—as we all know—they are observed annually in similar ways or according to certain trends. India is a popular travel destination for visitors because of these customs. Below here are some incredible Indian traditions and customs that are observed all around the country.
These are eleven fascinating Indian traditions and customs:
1. Gratitude
India has a well-known custom of greeting guests with “namaste.” The Vedas, the ancient Hindu texts, include five different kinds of traditional salutations, one of which is namaste, namaskar, or “namaskaara.” It signifies “I bow to you,” and putting your palms in front of your chest when you meet someone else is a sign of expressing “Meet our minds.” The translation of the word namaha is “na ma” (not mine), which signifies the ego’s decrease in the presence of another.
2. The Season Is Always Festive
India is home to many different religions and ethnic groups, each with its own festivals. For example, Muslims celebrate Eid, Christians celebrate Christmas and Good Friday, Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi, which is known for crop harvesting, and Sikhs commemorate the birthdays of their Gurus. Hindus celebrate Diwali, Holi, and Makar Sakranti, Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti, Buddhists celebrate Buddha Poornima, and many more. Every religion and festival has its own set of principles, which we often honor by designating a holiday in our calendars.
3. Combined Families
The idea of a mixed or joint family is widely accepted in India. Families still reside together as they did in the past. This is a result of the tacky conduct that permeates Indian society, and it’s also supposed to help with stress and standard management.
4. Abstinence
A significant aspect of Hindu culture is fasting. Fast is referred to as Vrats or Upvas in Hindi. Fasting is typically done by people as a sincere way of thanking the Gods and Goddesses. People fast on different days of the week in honor of a particular God or goddess associated with that day, or they observe fasts on other religious events. The purpose of fasting is to punish oneself for purging your sins and to fortify your body.
5. The Holy Cow
Indian culture regards cows as sacred creatures.It is revered as a mother emblem. It’s common to imagine the god Lord Krishna, who was raised as a calf, dancing to the music of the Gopis, or milkmaids, and playing between the cows. Another moniker for Lord Krishna is “Govinda,” or “Gopala,” which translates to “friend and protected of cow.” For this reason, cows are significant in Indian religion and culture. Even the Holi cow, Nandi, served as Lord Shiva’s conveyance. Raising cows and contributing to cow shelters is hence deeply ingrained in Indian belief. One makes a living by raising cows. Though, particularly in rural India, cow dung is a significant factor for fuel usage. It is illegal to kill cows or eat their meat, and several Indian states have laws protecting cows in order to preserve them.
6. The Science of Temples
The majority of the temples are situated near the earth’s magnetic wave lines, which often increase energy efficiency. A temple is a place where people can find happy marriages, have calm minds, and gain physical strength, all of which enhance human performance. In order to maintain a clean and sacred atmosphere, it is customary to take off shoes before entering places of worship like temples.7. Establish a Marriage System
In India, the custom of planned marriages dates back to the early Vedic period. An occasion known as “Swayambar” will be planned for the bride in royal families. Statewide competitions were held to determine who would win the bride or let the bride select her favorite. Even in modern times, Indians still find the idea of arranged weddings to be appealing and unmistakably “Indian Culture.”
8. Symbols of Religion
Numerous signs and symbols with multiple meanings can be found throughout Indian traditions and scriptures. For instance, the Swastika is not associated with Nazism or Adolf Hitler in the Indian culture. Lord Ganesha is the symbol; the curtains are being drawn. The Swastika’s hands employ a range of methods. These stand for the four groupings, the four Vedas, or the four concepts that individuals try to understand.
9. Bhavah Atithi Devo
“Atithi Devo Bhavah” is another phrase used in India. It implies that “the visitor is like a god.” Sanskrit verses from Hindu scriptures were eventually incorporated into the “Methodology for Hindu” groups due to the significance of visitors in Indian culture.
10. Indian Traditional Clothes
The most frequent sport for Indian ladies is “saris.” The sari is a wearable, religiously-inspired garment made of a single piece of fabric that doesn’t require stitching. It was originally a Hindu custom, but it is a very lovely practice that has permeated all faiths. This is comparable to the religious garments worn by Indian men of various faiths, such as the “Kurta-Pajama” and the “Sherwani.”
11. Dances of India
India is a nation that values “unity in diversity.” There are numerous dance styles that are categorized as folk or classical, originate from all over the nation, and they serve to illustrate the diversity of cultural backgrounds. There are essentially eight dance styles that go by the terms “Indian dance music” and “Natyashashtra” in Hindu Sanskrit:
Among the well-known dancing styles are:
- Tamil Nadu’s Bharatnatyam
- Kerela, the home of Kathakali, is situated in North, West, and Central India.
- Kuchipudi hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Mohiniyattam from Kerela
- Manipuri from Manipur, Oddisi from Odhisa, and Sattriya from Assam10. Indian Cuisine
Not only are Indian foods and cuisines an integral part of Indian culture, but they also play a major role in India’s global appeal. While regional variations exist in cooking techniques, Indian food is widely recognized for its liberal application of herbs and spices. Similar to regional variations in dances, religious practices, languages, and attire, there is a wide range of cuisines across the nation. Every area has a distinctive dish that is well-known. While non-vegetarian meals are a staple of Mughlai, Bengali, North Indian, and Punjabi cuisines, vegetarian food is an essential component of Gujarati, South Indian, and Rajasthani cuisines. The vegetarian menu at McDonald’s in India is larger than that of non-vegetarian.
