|| THROWING COINS IN RIVER ||
The general reasoning given for this act is that it brings Good Luck. However,
scientifically speaking, in the ancient times, most of the currency used was
made of copper unlike the stainless steel coins of today. Copper is a vital
metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the river was one way
our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as
rivers were the only source of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that
all of us follow the practice.
|| NAMASKAR ||
Joining both palms together to greet
In Hindu culture, people greet each other by joining their palms - termed as
“Namaskar.” The general reason behind this tradition is that greeting by
joining both the palms means respect. However, scientifically speaking, joining
both hands ensures joining the tips of all the fingers together; which are
denoted to the pressure points of eyes, ears, and mind. Pressing them together
is said to activate the pressure points which helps us remember that person for
a long time. And, no germs since we don’t make any physical contact!
|| WOMEN WEAR TOE RINGS ||
Why do Indian women wear toe rings?
Wearing toe rings is not just the significance of married women but there is
science behind it. Normally toe rings are worn on the second toe. A particular
nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe
ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It will keep it healthy by
regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle will be regularized. As
Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and
passes it to the body.
|| TILAK ON FOREHEAD ||
Applying Tilak on the forehead
On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a
major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The Tilak is believed to
prevent the loss of "energy", the red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows
is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of
concentration. While applying kumkum the points on the mid-brow region and
Adnya-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply
to the face muscles.
|| TEMPLE BELLS ||
Why do temples have bells?
People who are visiting the temple should and will Ring the bell before
entering the inner sanctum (Garbhagudi or Garbha Gruha or womb-chamber) where
the main idol is placed. According to Agama Sastra, the bell is used to give
sound for keeping evil forces away and the ring of the bell is pleasant to God.
However, the scientific reason behind bells is that their ring clears our mind
and helps us stay sharp and keep our full concentration on devotional purpose.
These bells are made in such a way that when they produce a sound it creates a
unity in the Left and Right parts of our brains. The moment we ring the bell,
it produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of 7 seconds in
echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven
healing centres in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all
negative thoughts.
|| TULSI PLANT ||
Why do we worship ‘Tulsi’ plant?
Hindu religion has bestowed ‘Tulsi’, with the status of mother. Also known as
‘Sacred or Holy Basil’, Tulsi, has been recognized as a religious and spiritual
devout in many parts of the world. The vedic sages knew the benefits of Tulsi
and that is why they personified it as a Goddess and gave a clear message to
the entire community that it needs to be taken care of by the people, literate
or illiterate. We try to protect it because it is like Sanjeevani for the
mankind. Tulsi has great medicinal properties. It is a remarkable antibiotic.
Taking Tulsi everyday in tea or otherwise increases immunity and help the
drinker prevent diseases, stabilize his or her health condition, balance his or
her body system and most important of all, prolong his or her life. Keeping
Tulsi plant at home prevents insects and mosquitoes from entering the house. It
is said that snakes do not dare to go near a Tulsi plant. Maybe that is why
ancient people would grow lots of Tulsi near their houses.
|| PEEPAL TREE ||
Why do we worship 'Peepal Tree'!
‘Peepal’ tree is almost useless for an ordinary person, except for its shadow.
‘Peepal’ does not a have a delicious fruit, its wood is not strong enough for
any purpose then why should a common villager or person worship it or even care
for it? Our ancestors knew that ‘Peepal’ is one of the very few trees (or
probably the only tree) which produces oxygen even at night. So in order to
save this tree because of its unique property they related it to God/religion.
|| SWEET DESSERTS ||
Start with spice, end with sweet
Our ancestors have stressed on the fact that our meals should be started off
with something spicy and sweet dishes should be taken towards the end. The
significance of this eating practice is that while spicy things activate the
digestive juices and acids and ensure that the digestion process goes on
smoothly and efficiently, sweets or carbohydrates pulls down the digestive
process. Hence, sweets were always recommended to be taken as a last item
|| MEHENDI / HENNA ||
Applying Mehndi/ henna on hands
Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi is a very powerful medicinal herb.
Weddings are stressful, and often, the stress causes headaches and fevers. As
the wedding day approaches, the excitement mixed with nervous anticipation can
take its toll on the bride and groom. Application of mehndi can prevent too
much stress because it cools the body and keeps the nerves from becoming tense.
This is the reason why mehndi is applied on the hands and feet, which house
nerve endings in the body.
|| DIWALI ||
Celebration and cleaning during Diwali
Diwali usually falls in October or November which marks the start of winter
season and end of rainy season. Rainy season wasn't a good time for everyone
back then; many homes needed repair and renovation after a heavy fall. That is
why time before diwali was considered the period during which everyone can
indulge in cleaning and beautification of their home. And also take out their
winter clothes and pack the summer ones.
|| SUKHASAN ||
Sitting on a floor and eating
This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding
sitting in the “Sukhasan” position and then eating. Sukhasan is the position we
normally use for Yoga asanas. Sitting in this position while eating helps in
improving digestion as the circulatory system can focus solely upon digestion
and not on our legs dangling from a chair or supporting us while we are
standing.
|| SLEEP POSITION ||
Why not to sleep with your head towards North?
Myth is that it invites ghost or death but since says that it is because human
body has its own magnetic field (Also known as hearts magnetic field, because
the flow of blood) and Earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with head towards
north, our body's magnetic field become completely asymmetrical to the Earth's
Magnetic field. That cause problems related to blood pressure and our heart
needs to work harder in order to overcome this asymmetry of Magnetic fields.
Apart from this another reason is that Our body have significant amount of iron
in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts
to congregate in brain. This can cause headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive
Decline, Parkinson disease and brain degeneration.
|| SURYA NAMASKAR ||
Hindus have a tradition of paying regards to Sun God early in the morning by
their water offering ritual. It was mainly because looking at Sun rays through
water or directly at that time of the day is good for eyes and also by waking
up to follow this routine, we become prone to a morning lifestyle and mornings
are proven to be the most effective part of the day.
|| EAR PIERCING ||
Piercing the ears has a great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and
philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of
intellect, power of thinking and decision making faculties. Talkativeness
fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to
reduce impertinent behaviour and the ear-channels become free from disorders.
This idea appeals to the Western world as well, and so they are getting their
ears pierced to wear fancy earrings as a mark of fashion.
|| SINDOOR ||
Application of Sindoor or Vermillion
It is interesting to note that that the application of sindoor by married women
carries a physiological significance. This is so because Sindoor is prepared by
mixing turmeric-lime and the metal mercury. Due to its intrinsic properties,
mercury, besides controlling blood pressure also activates sexual drive. This
also explains why Sindoor is prohibited for the widows. For best results,
Sindoor should be applied right upto the pituitary gland where all our feelings
are centered. Mercury is also known for removing stress and strain.
|| CHARANSPARSH ||
The Scientific explanation of touching feet (charan-sparsh)
Usually, the person of whose feet you are touching is either old or pious. When
they accept your respect which came from your reduced ego (and is called your
shraddha) their hearts emit positive thoughts and energy (which is called their
karuna) which reaches you through their hands and toes. In essence, the
completed circuit enables flow of energy and increases cosmic energy, switching
on a quick connect between two minds and hearts. To an extent, the same is
achieved through handshakes and hugs. The nerves that start from our brain
spread across all your body. These nerves or wires end in the fingertips of
your hand and feet. When you join the fingertips of your hand to those of their
opposite feet, a circuit is immediately formed and the energies of two bodies
are connected. Your fingers and palms become the ‘receptor’ of energy and the
feet of other person become the ‘giver’ of energy.
|| TULSI ||
Why should Tulsi not be chewed with teeth?
It is a popular belief that Tulsi is the wife of Lord Vishnu; therefore,
chewing it will be a mark of disrespect. However, botanists, in the course of
their research, found that Tulsi plant has the maximum of mercury. If raw
mercury is applied to teeth, they fall immediately. That’s why in Hindu
religion, Tulsi leaves are not chewed but swallowed.
|| TILGUL ||
Tilgul is a very colorful and excellent sesame candy made of sesame seeds and
jaggery. Til means sesame seeds whereas gul means jaggery in Marathi/ Hindi.
Since Makar Sankranti is celebrated in mid winter ideally Tilgul recipe is a
combination that helps keep the body warm due to these heat generating
ingredients making it a healthy sweet to enjoy. In Ayurveda, Sesame is
considered to be an extremely beneficial and strong medicine. Sesame laddu's
are beneficial for those children who normally have the problem of bed-wetting
in winters.
|| BANGLES ||
Why do Indian women wear Bangles?
Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation on any human. Also the
pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments. The
Bangles used by women are normally in the wrist part of ones hand and its
constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Further more the
electricity passing out through outer skin is again reverted to one's own body
because of the ring shaped bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy
outside but to send it back to the body.