Unique Culture of India

Unique Culture of India – Indian culture and traditions are now known all over the world. We all believe that Indian customs and traditions are very diverse and unique. But we rarely think about why things are the way they are. Indian culture has many unique customs and traditions that might be interesting to outsiders. Most of them are derived from ancient Indian texts and writings that have shaped the way of life of Indians for thousands of years.

Unique Culture of India

1. Greeting – Namaste
surlerythme – Namaste is one of the most popular customs in India and is no longer confined to India. Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon have also practiced it on various occasions. The man who greeted everyone with Namaste on the first International Day of Yoga in Times Square New York.

But what does it mean? Namaste, Namaskar, or “Namaskar” is one of the five traditional greetings mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. Translated it means “I bow down to you,” and greeting means “May our thoughts be understood,” which is indicated by placing the palms together in front of the chest. The word namaha can also be translated as “na ma” (not mine), which means lowering one’s ego in front of another person.

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2. Festivals and Religion – It’s always a time of celebration
India has many festivals, especially since it has so many different religions and groups. Muslims celebrate Eid, Christians celebrate Christmas and Good Friday, Sikhs celebrate Baisakhi (harvest) and Guru’s birthdays, Hindus celebrate Diwali, Holi, Makar Sakranti, Jains celebrate Mahavir Jayanti and Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s birthday with events like Buddha Purnima. Honestly, the number is endless. All of these are certainly holidays in our book.

3. Family Structure – Joint Family
India also has the concept of joint family, where the entire family (parents, wife, children and sometimes siblings) live together. This is mainly due to the cohesiveness of the Indian society which is also reported to help in managing stress and tension.

The fourth symbol is fasting
Fasting is an integral part of Hindu culture. Fasting, vrat or upva is a way of showing sincerity and determination and expressing gratitude to the gods and goddesses. People across the country observe fasts during various religious festivals. Some people also fast every day of the week to honor a particular god or goddess associated with that day. It is generally believed that by doing this the body is deprived of its basic needs, thereby punishing itself to eliminate the sins committed until the day of fasting.

The rules and regulations of fasting are tailored to specific occasions. Fasting may have originated from the Vedic ritual of lighting a sacrificial fire for the purpose of sacrifice. The word “upvas” is used for lighting the fire of fasting and sacrifice, so one needs to light or re-light the house fire kept in one’s house to offer daily sacrifices.

5. Religious Customs – The Holy Cow
The cow is considered a sacred animal in Indian culture. It is revered as a mother figure and is a symbol of the generosity of Mother Earth. Lord Krishna, who grew up as a cowherd, is often depicted playing the flute among the cows and the gopis (milkmaids) dancing to his songs. Interestingly, Lord Krishna is also known as ‘Govinda’ or ‘Gopala’ which means ‘friend and protector of cows’. Hence, cows have a good significance in Indian culture and religion. Lord Shiva’s trusted vehicle is also the sacred bull Nandi.

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Hence, feeding cows and donating to cowsheds is very important in Indian religion. The Vedas emphasize the need to protect and care for cows in various verses. Cows are the source of life-sustaining milk. In fact, cow dung is an important and energy-efficient source of fuel, especially in rural India. Killing cows or eating beef is considered sinful. As a result, several states in India have banned the slaughter of cows by law. However, the mother cow is not worshipped like other deities. Indian religion and culture respect and express gratitude to these innocent animals who have contributed to Mother Earth and society in various ways.

6. Architecture – The science behind temples

Most temples are located along the earth’s magnetic wave lines, which helps maximize the positive energy available. Copper plates (called garbhagriha or moolasthan) buried beneath the main idol absorb this energy and transmit it to the surrounding environment. Visiting a temple generates positive thoughts and gathers positive energy, which in turn leads to healthier body functions.

7. Marriage – Arranged marriage system
The concept of arranged marriage in India dates back to the Vedic era. In royal families, a ritual called “Swayamvar” was prepared for the bride. Eligible couples from all over the kingdom were invited to participate in a contest to win the bride’s heart, and the bride herself could choose her ideal husband. Even today, the concept of arranged marriage is popular among Indians and has become an integral part of “Indian tradition”.

8. Religious symbols
Indian traditions and scriptures contain various characters and symbols with different meanings. For example, the use of swastika in the Indian context does not refer to Adolf Hitler or Nazism. Swastika is the symbol of Lord Ganesha who removes obstacles. The swastika symbol has various meanings. It represents the four Vedas, the four constellations, or the four main goals of human pursuit.

9. Traditions and Customs – Athithi Devo Bhavah
Even in India, the words “Atithi Devo Bhavah” are inseparable. It means “guest equal to God”. This is a Sanskrit poem from the Hindu scriptures that later became part of the Hindu code of conduct, as guests have always been of utmost importance in Indian culture.

10. Indian Fashion – Indian Folk Costumes
Indian women are often seen wearing sarees. The saree is made from a single piece of fabric and does not require stitching. It is easy to make, comfortable to wear, and in keeping with religious etiquette. The saree was originally a Hindu tradition, but has elegantly spread to all religions. The same goes for the more functional formal ‘kurta-pyjama’ and ‘sherwani’ for Indian men of all faiths.