DIVE WITH ME IN THE MOST RICH , PURE ,VIBRANT AND COLOURFUL,CUSTOMS, CULTURES AND RITUALS OF INDIA

INDIA THE LAND OF TRADITIONS

With more than 1.40 billion people, more than 8 religions, more than 19,500 mother tongues spoken,more than 50 huge festivals celebrated every year,more than 400 rivers, more than 8,000 years old Indus Valley Civilization, We are diverse in colours, languages we speak,religions we follow, clothes we wear, sports we play, traditions we follow,gestures we do,classical music we sing, folk dance we do,food we eat ,rituals we do,our lands, waters,climate, political divisions, physical divisions,flaura-fauna, everything changes after few kms away ,we are totally different from one another but one thing remains same and we proudly say,”WE ARE INDIANS” and we share this holy land together with our own identities alive we call it ,”INDIA”🇮🇳.

INDIA’S CUSTOMS AND RITUALS

Indian traditions and culture are perhaps the world’s richest as it unveils an amazing plethora of mythical stories that astounds the imagination. Ancient concepts like karma, dharma, atman (re-birth) and yoga still govern daily lives of Indians, hence an explanation is due.

Use of festoons (Toranam) and turmeric at the door-steps

In India we use a festoon (Toranam) made of fresh and green mango leaves or Neem leaves at the main door of the houses or temples. The air filled with carbon dioxide, which is lighter than the pure air, gets purified immediately while passing through the festoon. In addition, insects get attracted to the green leaves. This stops the insects from entering the room. It is beyond doubt that turmeric has anti-septic and anti-bacterial characteristics. Turmeric applied on the door sill stops bacteria or other microscopic organisms from making their way into the house. Turmeric checks every invisible organism. In addition, the yellow color makes the main door colorful and is an aesthetic combination for the green festoon on the top of the door frame.

What is the importance of ‘Swastika’?

In the Ganesh Puran (Epic of Lord Ganesha), it is said that the swastika is a form of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. In the Amarkosh, it is referred to as a pure and auspicious blessing. In one of the hymns in the Rig-veda it is said that the swastika is symbolic of Surya (Sun). People also consider the Swastika (‘Satiya’ or symbolic of the Sudarshan Chakra) as a symbol denoting plus (+) or prosperity.

Religious texts explain that the eight arms of the swastika are symbolic of the earth, fire, water, air, sky, mind, emotions and feelings.

The four arms are also symbolic of the four basic aims of human pursuit – dharm (righteousness), arth (prosperity), Kaam (passion) and moksha (salvation). They are also symbolic of the four faces and four hands of Brahma and of the four Vedas – Rig-Veda, YajurVeda, Sam-Veda and atharva-veda. They are also symbolic of the four constellations – Pushya (8th), Chitra (14th), Shravan (22nd) and Revti (27th).

In this way, the swastika is really symbolic of all the directions and of Gods and auspicious circumstances. We use this symbol as upcoming of goodness and prosperity ,we draw it occasionally in festivals, as it is believed God will grace in those days.Swastika is a sign of positivity and peace.

Why visit temples and do a ‘pradkshina’?

Generally, temples are strategically located in a place where earth’s magnetic waves pass through i.e. where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic wave distribution of north/ south pole thrust. Because of its location, where high magnetic values are available, the Main Idol is placed in the center, and also because they place a copper plate written with some Vedic scripts, which is buried, beneath the Main Idol’s placement known as “Garbhagriha” or “Moolasthan”, the copper absorbs the earth’s magnetic waves and radiates to the surroundings.

Thus a person who regularly visits a temple and makes clockwise ‘pradakshina’ of the Main Idol’s placement, automatically receives the beamed magnetic waves which get absorbed by his body. This is very slow and a regular visit will make him absorb more energy, known as positive energy. In addition, the Sanctum Sanctorum is completely enclosed on three sides. The effect of all energies is very high in here.

The lamp that is lit radiates the heat and light energy. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor gives out chemical energy. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers gives sound energy. The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that comes out of the idol. This is in addition to the north/ south pole magnetic energy that is absorbed by the copper plate and utensils that are kept in the ‘Moolasthan’.

The water used for the Pooja is mixed with Cardamom, Benzoine, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Clove, etc is the “Theertham”. This water becomes more energized because it receives the positive-ness of all these energies combined. When persons go to the temple for Deep-aaraadhana, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the people passes on the energy to all. That is the reason why, men are not allowed to wear shirts to the temple and ladies have to wear more ornaments because it is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed in ladies. It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized.

In addition, temples offer holy water (about three spoons). This water is mainly a source of magneto therapy as they place the copper water vessel at the ‘Garbhagriha’. It also contains cardamom, clove, saffron, etc to add taste and Tulsi (holy Basil) leaves are put into the water to increase its medicinal value! The clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leave essence protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and benzoine known as Pachha Karpuram, acts as a mouth refreshing agents. This way, one’s health too is protected, by regularly visiting Temples!

Ghantaa-naadam (Reason behind ringing of the bell)

Ghantaa or bell has a significant place in the process of worship. While the bell made of gold and silver produce mild sound it is said that the bells made of copper or brass help in controlling the evils and germs. Its ringing also helps to quiet the thoughts running in your mind, before you sight (‘darshan’) the deity.

Why do we remove shoes while entering a temple or a home or a kitchen?

Shoes are considered dirty and other reasons are cosmic energy and respect to God , respect to food, so we take off our shoes before stepping into someone’s house or their kitchen. We don’t step on anything important and if you do, we immediately express our apologies.

COMING TO CELEBRATIONS

In India, WE CELEBRATE and WE CELEBRATE AT OUR BEST we have so many festivals to light up our lives and spirits with lots of associated traditions to keep alive.

ART A DIVERSE CULTURE

Paintings as culture is old as India is.

These paintings were first painted by artists hailing from Madhubani. King Janakraj, father of goddess Sita wanted the artists to capture moments of Sita’s wedding with Lord Ram. Predominately, the themes revolve around mythology, Hindu Gods, and various royal court scenarios.

Mainly a religious form of scroll painting depicting folk deities Pabuji or Devnarayan, Phad originated in Rajasthan thousands of years ago. It captured the Stories of local deities and heroes painted on 30 or 15 feet-long horizontal cloth scrolls, called phad, in hues of red, yellow, and orange.

Being one of the vibrant forms of art, Kerala mural paintings are one of the world’s most famous frescos, that have deep spiritual roots depicting themes of Hindu mythology, epics, and the classic frolics of Krishna as well as the mystic forms of Siva and Shakti.

The art of Picchwai originated as wall hangings behind the main deity in Krishna temples in Nathdwara. Initially, the art painting narrated stories related to Lord Krishna. But, with commercialization, secular themes have also been incorporated into the Picchwai style of painting.

CLASSICAL DANCE FORMS OF INDIA

Bharatanatyam is a dance of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It traces its origins back to the Natyashastra, an ancient treatise on theatre written by the mythic priest Bharata. Originally a temple dance for women, bharatanatyam often is used to express Hindu religious stories and devotions. It was not commonly seen on the public stage until the 20th century. The dance movements are characterized by bent legs, while feet keep rhythm. Hands may be used in a series of mudras, or symbolic hand gestures, to tell a story.

Odissi dance form comes from eastern part of India. The traditional dance has been derived from the Hindu temples in Odisha. Most of the gestures and movements (Mudras) are inspired by the sculptors and idols belonging to the ancient temples of India. Odissi dance is performed mostly by the women dancers, and it includes more than 50 intriguing mudras (body movements).

The beautiful women dressed in the elegant attire performing the dance form of Chhau is what you see during the festival time in Kolkata. The popular art coming from eastern India is considered as the dance in the form of martial arts.

The dancers follow a pattern of rapid hand movement, quick steps and a rhythmic swaying of hips wearing the traditional Assamese clothing with beautiful accessories.  Marking the beginning of spring season, Bihu recites the happiness and heritage of Assam and is performed on the occasion of Rangali Bihu. The dhol, Xutuli, Toka, Baanhi, Gogona are the instruments used to play the traditional tunes for the performance. The origin of Bihu is not very known, although the records profoundly state that it is originated from the Bisu dance performed by communities of Upper Assam like the Sonowal Kacharis, Deoris, Moran, Chutias and Borahis. The dance form isn’t just known in India but globally popular. This popular Indian Dance was performed at the London Olympics in 2012.

So, it is just like I have not even scratched the surface of INDIA’s beautiful customs ,rituals and culture. I have tried to give you an idea of how ,INDIA is huge land of thousands of traditions and I have given a little glance of it.

For us this Earth and all people are Family ,We believe in “Vasudeva Kutumbakam“The Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam shloka, meaning of this shloka is “the world is one family” from Maha Upanishad. The popular Bhagavata Purana (translated as Purana, a genre of literature in Hinduism), for example, refers to the Upanishadic Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam shloka as “the most sublime Vedantic thought.” This post is suggested by Joanna , and this is just the beginning I will be bringing each custom,ritual, tradition in detail for people who wants to know about true INDIA.

–by Cheenu Singh Sisodiya

(Psychologist)