8 Indian Traditions and Customs that Make sense even today
By: Shruthi Sundaram
Tags: India, Ayurveda, Travel, Tradition, Custom

1. Namaste

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Let us start with the most famous one of them all. It has become popular during COVID times, where all of us were practicing social distancing. As many of you know, Namaste is the Indian form of greeting others.

There is a scientific reason behind the ‘Namaste’ in the Hindu culture. Joining both hands ensures touching the tips of all the fingers together, which are linked to pressure points in the eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together is said to activate these, helping us remember that person for a long time.

2. Eating with hands

According to Vedas, the hands are the most precious organs of action and that every finger is an extension of the five elements — through the thumb comes space, with the forefinger comes air, the middle finger is fire, the ring finger signifies water and the little finger represents Earth. And according to Ayurveda, the tips of these fingers are said to boost your digestion system.

It is said to boost blood circulation since it is an excellent muscle exercise, makes you more aware of the textures and thus the food you eat and help you manage food portions. Last but not the least, it fun! You should try it out sometime.

3. Fasting

Growing up, I saw my mother and grandmother fasting at least once a week because of some tradition or culture, especially during Navratri (for 9 days). And I used to be upset with them for not taking care of themselves. I still do not support it today, but growing up, I started studying about the scientific benefits of fasting.

When terms like “intermittent fasting” started making trends, my immediate thought process went to my family, and I started understanding the why and the what. The scientific reason behind fasting is to detoxify your body, to cleanse and purify it. And just give it rest for some time. Fasting also teaches self-control and saves you from instant gratification.

4. Surya Namaskar

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The “sun salutation” is called the ultimate yoga asana of all time. Scientifically, the sun radiates energy to the earth in the form of heat and sunlight — without which life couldn’t have sustained here. Sparing just 10 minutes for the sun every day can have dramatic changes in various aspects of your life.

Surya Namaskar is the one asana that exercises all the parts of your body. For a workout of 30 minutes, it is said to burn 417 calories that are higher than any other workout (weightlifting, football, swimming, etc.)

It also strengthens the back muscles and reduces the sugar levels in your body. It is also said to improve metabolism, blood circulation, and stabilize the period cycles for women

5. Ear piercing

In India, most of the Hindus have a practice of piercing a child’s ear when he/she turns one. In many of the cultures here, we also keep a ceremony for the same (I had one too!). But I have always wondered about the benefit of the practice.

Ear piercing is an ancient Indian practice, which is also known as Karna Vedha. It is one of the 16 sacraments, rituals, and sacrifices performed to mark the various stages of human life and to signify cultural heritage and upbringing.

According to Ayurveda, the lobe of the ear has an important point right in the center. This point is one of the most important areas for reproductive health. Some of the other advantages are that this results in maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle in females and ensures proper brain development (in kids) — since the ear lobes have the meridian point that connects the right hemisphere to the left hemisphere of the brain.

6. Sitting on the floor cross-legged.

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We Indians are very famous for sitting down on the floor cross-legged, especially while eating. I have got so used to that position, that I am uncomfortable sitting on the chair while eating now, or even otherwise when I am at home.

There are multiple health benefits, scientifically proven, of sitting down cross-legged, especially while eating. Sukhasana (the yoga position name for the same) helps in improving digestion — since you move back and forth to eat, thus moving your abdominal muscles. And because you bend forward and eat, it makes you feel full sooner, thus also reducing weight. The cross-legged position has multiple other benefits which include, improving blood circulation in the body and improving posture.

7. Applying bindi to your forehead

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The point right between our eyebrows on our forehead is the point where the major nerves of the body meet. Apart from that, this point is also known as the position of the sixth and most important chakra. Known as the ‘Ajna chakra’, this point signifies the point of awakening and the position of the third eye.

It is believed that when this spot is stimulated it helps a person in several ways including making you calmer and helping beat anxiety. It is also believed that this point helps a person awaken to the world that cannot be seen by the two physical eyes.

However, what your bindi is made of is also of utmost importance. Traditionally in Indian homes, Kumkum — a mixture of turmeric and lime is used as bindis. It is said to relax the muscles in your forehead and is one of the best remedies for headaches. It has multiple other benefits too.

8. Lighting oil/ghee lamps at home

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From as long as I can remember, both my mother and grandmother have been lighting oil/ghee lamps twice a day — once in the morning immediately after waking up and one in the evening, just before sunset. They always used to say, lighting Diya (lamp) invites Goddess Lakshmi (God of wealth) and good vibes inside the house.

In Sanskrit, a lamp is called Deepam. The basic form of the word is Deep (pronounced dh-ee-p) which means shine. A Deepam is said to remove any form of darkness or evil from the heart of a person. Fire is also the middle element of all the 5 basic elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space, thus lighting a lamp is said to bring all the elements together. Which creates a positive vibration and energy.