List of superstitions in India

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

The following are the common superstitions of India.


This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Astrology

  • Rahukaalam (or Rahu kala) is an inauspicious period of time every day.[1]
  • A person born under the influence of Mars is called a manglik or having Mangal Dosha. People avoid marrying such a person, especially if the person is a woman. Marriage with such a person is believed to cause marital discord and divorce, even sometimes death. However, it is believed that if two mangliks marry, the effects of both cancel out.[2][3]

Animals

  • It is believed that snakes can drink milk. During the festival of Nag Panchami, snakes are captured and force-fed milk. As a result, several thousand snakes die annually.[4][5]
  • To see a peacock before a journey is considered auspicious.[6]
  • In some parts it is believed that if 3 lizards come towards you, it is sign of marriage but if 4 or more lizards come towards you, it is a sign of upcoming death.[7]
  • If a black cat or simply a cat crosses ones way, it is treated to be a sign of bad luck.[8]

Luck and auspiciousness

  • Adding one rupee to a gift sum is auspicious, i.e., sums like 21 or 101 rupees are considered more auspicious than say 20 or 100.[9][10]
  • There are several methods of warding of an "evil eye". Lemon-and-chilli totems are a common method.[11]
  • Mothers put kohl on their babies' face, to ward off evil eye, by making it imperfect.[12]
  • In some parts of India, it is considered inauspicious to sweep the floor at night.[13]
  • Widows are considered inauspicious in many parts of India.[14]
  • Saturdays are considered very inauspicious, as it is associated with the god Shani (Saturn).[15]
  • It is believed that looking in a broken mirror may bring bad luck.[16]
  • People don't shave, get a haircut or cut their nails on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday believing that it will invite bad luck.[8]

Ghosts and other supernatural beings

  • Peepul trees are believed to be the abode of ghosts and they are avoided at night.[17] Banyan trees are also believed to be inhabited by malevolent spirits.[18]
  • Spirit possessions are also reported frequently in India. Exorcisms may be used to ward off the spirit.[19]

Witchcraft

  • Belief in witches is common in some parts of India. Witches are believed to capable of killing cattle and humans, destroying crops and causing illness. Witch-hunts have been known to happen.[20]
  • In parts of Jharkhand, it is believed that if the name of a witch is written on a branch of a Sal tree, the branch would wither away.[20] Witchcraft is illegal in India.

Sexuality and reproduction

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />

Further reading

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=List_of_superstitions_in_India&oldid=723016821"