India is a land of cultural diversity. Every mile, you will find a change in the language, food, clothing, and people’s lifestyles. So much colorfulness and the spirit of enthusiasm is infused in the traditions across 28 countries and 8 Union Territories that are not seen in any other culture in this world. Indian culture is full of many customs and traditions which are deeply rooted in ancient literature and scriptures. Each custom is associated with a certain significance in the life of an individual. Out of so many of these, we are here to mention 10 customs and traditions which are the essence and make India special in the eyes of all.
The concept of the joint family structure is considered the foundation of the prevailing culture of India. Although not so common in urban areas now, many people prefer to stay in their parent’s house to maintain the integrity of the family. They share their responsibilities, remain under the care of the elders, and deepen their loving bonds with each other. Persons raised in joint families develop a stronger sense of commitment to the family and stay more grounded and empathetic. A family that stays together remains together even in the most unfavorable times.
In India, whenever people meet, they greet each other with respect through different gestures and statements. The Namaste greetings with folded hands and making a slight bow are the most common. When meeting any elderly person, the younger one touches their feet with the right hand to take their blessings. Other greetings include chanting the holy names of God such as “Ram Ram”, “Jai Shree Krishna”, or “Sat Sri Akal”.
This is one aspect of Indian culture which is highly valued and paid attention to. Irrespective of age and other cultural backgrounds, Indians have the utmost reverence for saints and sages who practice austerity to become self-realized and who propagate spiritual teachings. The householders invite saints and priests to their homes, gain wisdom from them, seek their blessings, and serve them to the best of their capacity. Many people also accept a Guru (spiritual master) to go deeper into the philosophy of the revealed scriptures. This principle is called “Guru Shishya Parampara” (disciplic succession) in Sanatan Dharma. Guiding and fostering spiritual Indian values in individuals is maintained by the saintly community.
Guests are always welcomed in the houses of Indians. Probably no one can beat their level of hospitality and warmth towards their guests. They are received affectionately and are offered not just some items of snacks and water but a whole meal plan awaits them on the table. The ancient Sanskrit saying “Athiti Devo Bhava” meaning “the guest is as good as God” is practiced in Indian culture to the extent that even if a person with whom their relationship is not so good visits them, they are still offered a seat, water to drink, and food to eat.
Every part of the country follows distinct cultures and traditions with unique elements. Just like languages and foods, the attire of men and women varies across regions of India. The Salwar Kameez suit is the famous traditional clothing of the women of Punjab and Haryana. The saree is considered a sacred attire of women which brings them grace and elegance. The royal Kanjivaram saree of Tamil Nadu, the colorful Bandhani saree from Gujarat, the opulent Banarasi saree from Uttar Pradesh, and the cultural Jamdani saree from West Bengal are some of the beautiful varieties that showcase different embroideries and weaving styles. The general traditional clothing options for Indian men are Kurta Pajama, lungi, and Dhoti.
Although love marriages also happen in India, arranged marriages are still a strong tradition and have a special place and significance in Indian society. The parents, grandparents, or relatives take the role of finding suitable matches for their children. Astrological calculations are considered to find compatibility between the boy and the girl. In India, it is believed that marriage does not happen between the boy and the girl but between two families.
India is known as “Deva-Bhoomi” or “the land of Gods” and is the center of spiritual activities. There are innumerable holy places for every religion and most people take it as their vow to visit one every year to seek divine blessings from the Supreme. They consider this auspicious as it purifies one’s existence. Witnessing the beautiful Indian architecture of these places in itself is captivating. Besides ancient holy shrines and places, many temples, mosques, Gurudwaras, and Churches are established in each city, town, and village in India for people of different religious backgrounds to congregate and feel closer to God. If not regularly, they visit these places during festivals and other special occasions in appropriate Indian attire.
Indians are simple-hearted. They stay close to God and put Him at the center of all their activities. Whether someone follows Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Christianity, or Buddhism, reading their authorized scriptures is an important part of their religious practices and rituals. At every home of the Hindus, the Bhagavad Gita is to be found, the Sikhs read the Guru Granth Sahib, the Muslims read the Quran, and the Christians believe in the Bible. At least once a week, the family members (at least the elders) come together and read verses from the scriptures to remain faithful towards their religious customs.
The main attraction of Indian culture for an outsider is the colorful weddings that span around three to five days. Many ceremonies and rituals are performed in both the bride’s and groom’s houses separately. A large group of people including all the relatives and friends gather adorned in mesmerizing traditional clothing and make the occasion more cheerful and radiant by their presence. The houses of the bride and groom are decorated with lights and floral arrangements. The families dance to the beats of Indian musical instruments and express their joyful moods.
First off, the bride’s hands and feet are adorned with delightful henna (mehendi) designs then a Sangeet ceremony or musical evening is organized where the families come together, sing, dance, and form stronger bonds with each other. On the day of the main wedding ritual, a Haldi ceremony takes place in which a fragrant and cooling paste of turmeric and sandalwood is applied on the bride and the groom’s skin. Then comes the final exchange of flower garlands and seven vows between them and they circumambulate the sacrificial fire amidst chanting of hymns and the holy name of God. The bride is usually dressed in a pretty Red Lehenga and the bride wears a set of Dhoti Kurta or a Sherwani paired with Churidar Pants.
The numerous vibrant festivals knock now and then throughout the year in India and the people here celebrate them with their ultimate enthusiasm. Most of the Indian festivals center around God. Diwali “The festival of lights”, Holi “The festival of colors”, Dussehra “the victory of good over evil”, and Raksha Bandhan “the celebration of the protective bond between brothers and sisters” are some of the festivals celebrated by Hindu community. The Muslims celebrate the famous Eid festival with great pomp and devotion. For the Sikhs, Guru Purab, Baisakhi, and Lohri are some of the main festivals. The Christian people celebrate Easter and Christmas, visit Churches and exchange gifts with their family and friends.
While there may be religious and social differences among people in India, there are not many variations in the customs and traditions except for the details. The rich Indian cultural heritage is all about coming together and celebrating festivals and other traditional events considering each other as their kinsmen. This is why the people of India are full of love just like their festivals, weddings, and clothes. And how can anyone overlook their strong inclination towards spirituality? The Indian family structure encourages children to develop values to soften their hearts and become compassionate toward others.
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