Indian culture, customs and traditions have great significance and have gained global popularityIndian culture and traditions are popular the world over. Foreign tourists visit India to get a taste of the vibrancy that defines this country. Customs and practices originate from religion, ancient scriptures, region, caste, trade, family, etc. They are a way of life for the one practising and intriguing for the outsider.
One of the most popular Indian customs that is popular among tourists coming to India is ‘namaste’. It is so popular that now it’s not restricted within the geographical boundaries of India. Former US President Barack Obama was seen doing it on various occasions and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was also seen greeting everyone with a Namaste on the first International Yoga Day at New York’s Times Square.
Namaste or namaskar is one of the five forms of traditional greetings laid down in Hindu scriptures. The literal translation of Namaste is ‘I bow to you’ and greeting one another with it is a way of saying ‘May our minds meet’.
Namaste India
This traditional way of greeting people has been in practice for very long across most local traditions in India. The custom entails joining both the palms together in a worshipful pose and say ‘Namaste’.
Foreign tourists visiting India may not know much about the rich Indian heritage but are surely aware of this custom and are often seeing practising it themselves when they visit the country, that too with great enthusiasm.
The fact that there is no physical touching while greeting with a Namaste eliminates the risk of contracting diseases. So much so are the health advantages of this custom that during the Covid-19 pandemic it became a popular gesture around the world.
The rampant spread of coronavirus and the huge death toll it accrued alarmed communities all over. Awareness around safe behaviour such as social distancing was being done to prevent the spread of the disease. This included re-evaluating customs, practices, beliefs, food habits and other aspects of personal and community living and social interactions.
In most cultures, greeting people is done by shaking hands. During the initial months of Covid-19 pandemic, experts revealed that shaking hands with people who could be carrying the microbes in their hands can lead to the spread of the disease. So, there were efforts to reinvent modes of greeting and Namaste was a clear winner.
Henceforth, many world leaders advocated for and popularised the Namaste mode of greeting people. So, the-then US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron even British Prince Charles adopted Namaste as the preferred way to greet other dignitaries.
Atithi Devo Bhavah
The saying ‘Atithi Devo Bhavah’ is also integral to India’s culture. It is a Sanskrit phrase translating to ‘the guest is equivalent to god’. Indian hospitality is renowned the world over. Tourist or not, any one coming to India is welcomed and Indians make very warm and hospitable hosts.
The host-guest relationship in India is truly one of the most revered relationships. This practice of giving utmost respect and importance to guests is unique to India. No distinction should be made based on the guests’ colour or creed and he should be showered with love, care and affection, even at the expense of one’s own discomfort.
This unique ‘code of conduct’ has been laid down in ancient Hindi scripture named ‘Taittiriya Upanishad’ that upholds Indian culture’s values and heritage. The Taittiriya Upanishad is one of the primary Upanishads, as part of the Yajur Veda. What is more interesting it that despite the diversity of cultures and customs in India, this one stays the same throughout the country.
Fashionable Indian attire
Indian attire is one of the most sought after across fashion corridors. Not just for the designs but textiles, motifs, prints and fabrics. Sari, that is worn my Indian women is a traditional attire that but has many takers around the world.
Women tourists visiting India don’t leave the opportunity to wear a sari. The experience is personal and exhilarating for them. The sari is a single piece of fabric that is easy to make and comfortable to wear. It’s also beautiful attire and that makes it attractive to women.
Although sari is traditional clothing, today, fashion designers and stylists use sari heavily for the desired fashion look. Many international celebrities have donned the sari too including Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Alba, Lady Gaga, Liz Hurley, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, Selena Gomez and many more.
The custom of fasting
Integral to Indian culture, particularly the Hindus, fasting aka vrat or upvas is being practised in India for centuries for religious and cultural considerations primarily. Usually, a fast is kept as a mark of one’s devotion to a god or a goddess. Apart from that, festivals also call for fasts and the devout observe these in all sincerity.
The logic behind fasting is that by depriving the body of food and sometimes when water, one is cleansing off the sins committed. Also, by sacrificing certain pleasures, one shows his gratitude and devotion to the god. Fasting i.e., abstinence from all or some foods or drinks for a set period of time has innumerable health benefits too. The western world calls it intermittent fasting and it is a big fad at the moment. Many foreign celebrities and influencers swear by it and encourage everyone to follow it.
Fasting aids weight loss, reduces blood pressure, reduces inflammation, lowers cholesterol, reduces insulin resistance, boosts brain function among many other benefits and improves the quality of life.
Hindus fast on specific days of the month such as Purnima, which is the full moon or Ekadasi which is the eleventh day of the fortnight of the moon’s cycle. Also, days of the week are marked for fasting for a specific god or goddess.
So, on Saturdays, people fast to appease Shani or Saturn, on Tuesdays they fast to show their devotion to Lord Hanuman, on Mondays it is for Lord Shiva and Fridays for Santoshi Mata. As far as festivals are concerned, some of the most difficult fasts are observed during Navratri (nine days), Karwa Chauth, etc.
Other interesting customs
In India, there is a prevalent practice to take off shoes or other footwear before entering a place of worship. Also, in India there is a unique concept of marriage called the ‘swayamvar’ that the kings would organise for their daughters. Suitable matches from all over would be invited and the bride herself would choose her ideal husband.
The Indian traditions are ripe with symbols each having a meaning and significance. For example, Swastika in the Indian context signifies the four Vedas and the four constellations and holds a lot of religious significance. It was also the symbol of the Nazis in Germany.
Another tradition, Ramlila, is a set of performances across northern India during Navratri culminating on Dussera. The theatrical presentation celebrates the life of Rama, his strengths and struggles, episodes from his life and other instances from Ramayana. It is a combination of songs, dance, drama, etc., to spread the message of ‘good over evil’.
During the months of October to November, Ramlila performances can be seen in villages and cities especially in Uttar Pradesh and town like Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Madhubani, etc.