Indian culture is considered one of the most beautiful cultures in the world. From the delicious food to the stunning traditional outfits, India has a lot to offer. Today we will be discussing some of the basics to Indian Culture: superstitions, food, and clothing.
Superstitions began when people started receiving bad luck from doing certain actions. These following actions were carried down from family to family and are now very popular in India. Below are some superstitions that are common in most Indian households.
Don’t go out with wet hair
This one is self explanatory: getting sick. Many Indians believe going out or sleeping in wet hair will make one get sick.
Don’t sneeze before leaving the house
Sneezing right before leaving the house or traveling is bad omen (bad luck). But, a more scientific reasoning for this superstition is that when one sneezes, they may forget something or make a mistake.
Don’t cut your nails at night
The reasoning behind this superstition comes from a long time ago. In the olden days when proper lighting wasn’t present in every household, people had a fear that their precious ornaments that are on the ground would get thrown out when the cut nails were swept away. Another theory is that cutting your nails at night brings bad luck.
Bad luck to see a cat when you first wake up
This may be a superstition just for me (Shreya), but I was never allowed to have a kitten poster in my room because it was bad luck. However, crossing paths with a black cat can give one bad luck.
House facing/sleeping direction
This superstition states that your house should be facing either North or East. This is because these two directions are the most auspicious and will bring good luck. South facing homes are believed to bring bad luck because Lord Yama, the God of Death, lives in the south direction.
Adding an extra dollar to a check ending with 0 for good luck
It is good luck for whomever is receiving a check to have an extra dollar/rupee to be added on to the total ($51 instead of $50, $101 instead of $100). This is because adding one dollar/rupee makes the number indivisible, which is considered good luck.
Periods considered “dirty”
In India back in the day when women did not have proper feminine hygiene products they were told to stay in one corner of the room when they were on their period. This was because they did not want the whole house to become “dirty” while they were on their period. They also did not allow women to go in the prayer room for the first 5 days of their period because once again the more a woman moves around the house while on her period, the more “dirty” it becomes.
Don't step over someone or else they won’t grow
This superstition does not have a logical explanation. It is something that is followed to avoid bad luck.
Don’t touch the salt at the same time as another person
This may be a superstition for just me (Nikitha) but if someone were to touch the salt at the same time as another person, it is believed that these two people will get in fights. To avoid this, when you pass the salt around the dinner table have only one person touching it at a time.
Food:
Indian food is spicy, rich, and flavorful. There are so many different dishes in every region of India. We will also discuss the variety of dishes that the north and the south are known for. A common stereotype is that Indians eat “curry”. In America “curry” is actually a curry powder made up of about 20 ground herbs and spices. In India “curry” is any dish with a gravy. The 4 topics regarding food that we will cover today will be, street food/snacks, entrées, desserts, and drinks.
-Street food/snacks.
Pani puri
Pani puri is the one of the best Indian street foods! It is also called Gol Gappe in North India. This snack starts with a small shell made out of a cracker like material that one must poke a small hole in at the top. Then you fill the shell with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, and tamarind water.
Samosa
Samosas are one of India’s most well known snacks. Samosas are made up of a filling that consists of potatoes, peas, lentils, and onions. This filling is then wrapped up in a pastry and fried. For the most part, samosas are usually vegetarian.
Mirchi Bhajji
Mirchi bhajji is perfect for all of you spice lovers! Mirchi bhajji is made by dipping green chillies into a batter made up of besan or flour, spices, and water. It can be served with a hot sauce or lemon on top. Sometimes the bhajjis are also stuffed with onion and coriander leaves once they are done frying.
Chicken 65
Chicken 65 is a spicy, deep fried chicken dish that is served with green chillies, onion, lemon, and coriander leaves. This dish is known for its bright red color.
Murukulu
Murukulu are a deep fried south indian snack. This crispy and light snack is made from rice flour and urad dal flour.
Parle-G, Hide & Seek, Gems, Bourbon
Indian biscuits and candy are unbeatable! My (Nikitha) favorite Indian biscuits are Hide & Seek and Bourbon biscuits. Both of these biscuits are chocolate flavored, but unlike Hide & Seek biscuits, Bourbon biscuits have a cream filling in the middle. Parle-G biscuits are another popular Indian biscuit. They are the best kind to dip in your tea! Gems is the Indian version of M&Ms. Although the colors are slightly different, they taste the same!
-Entrées
Biryani
The best biryani is from Hyderabad (where we’re from)! There are different types of Biryani: mutton, chicken, and vegetarian. Biryani is made up of many spices and rice cooked together. The meat is marinated with many spices and cooked with the rice. Each region of India has their own version of Biryani, but Hyderabad is known well for their amazing Biryani.
Naan
Naan (no, not naan bread) is essential to almost every indian gravy dish. It is an oven-baked flatbread that is cooked by sticking to the sides of a cast iron stove/oven! It is delicious, soft, and perfect to have with any dish.
Chapathi/Roti
Roti (chapathi in Telugu) is also very important to indian curries. It is similar to naan, however, it is easier to make and healthier too. The dough is made with atta flour and water. It can be topped off with some ghee (butter) or eaten plain.
Paneer Curries
Paneer is HUGE in North India! Paneer is technically cottage cheese and is used in many different curries. Some examples of curries are palak (spinach) paneer, paneer makhani (tomato curry), and paneer butter masala. There are many things that can be done with paneer. It is common to find paneer grilled or in rolls and sandwiches.
Butter Chicken
This is another gravy dish that is slightly similar to the gravy of paneer butter masala. The major difference is that butter chicken is slightly spicier. This is another gravy curry, so it can be eaten with roti or naan.
Rasam
Rasam is a south indian dish that is eaten in many meals. It has a soup consistency and is eaten with rice. There can be many different kinds of rasam, but the most popular one is tomato rasam.
Rice
Again, just like roti, rice is essential to all indian dishes. Most south indians eat rice everyday. Dry and wet curries can be eaten with rice.
Dosa
Dosa is also another staple south indian dish. A dosa is similar to a crepe, but it is much bigger and crunchier. Dosa is eaten as breakfast in Indian and is eaten with chutneys and potato curries.
Perugu
Perugu, also known as curd or thayir, is Indian yogurt. Yogurt is usually made from scratch and is eaten in almost every meal.
-Dessert
Jalebi
Jalebi is a popular indian sweet that is made out of a deep fried flour batter and then coated with sugar syrup. This dessert is extremely sweet and the sugar syrup melts in your mouth after every bite. If you have a sweet tooth, this is definitely the dessert for you!
Kaju katli
Kaju Katli, also known as kaju barfi, is made by first blending up roasted cashews to make a cashew powder. Then, you make a simple syrup with sugar and water. Lastly, you combine the powder, syrup, and any extra flavorful ingredients, and knead the dough and let it set. Kaju Katli is usually in a diamond shape and is decorated with edible silver foil.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab Jamun is one of India’s most popular desserts. It is often known as “Indian doughnuts”. Gulab Jamun are fried dumplings made of milk that are soaked in a rose-flavored sugar syrup.
Laddu
Laddus are also one of India’s most popular sweets. Laddus are made from flour, ghee or butter, and sugar. Laddus are always spherical and are usually orange, yellow, or white in color.
Bobbatlu
The best way to describe this dessert is a sweet dosa or a sweet puri. Bobbatlu has a sweet filling made of jaggery,which is a corse, dark brown sugar made in India.
Kulfi
Kulfi is an Indian dessert that is very similar to ice cream. The main difference between kulfi and ice cream is that unlike ice cream, kulfi is not whipped. The most popular flavors of kulfi are mango, almond, and pista (pistachio).
-Drinks
Chai (NOT chai tea) is a very popular drink in India! Remember, saying “chai tea” is basically saying “tea tea”, so chai will work perfectly when you’re ordering it! Moving on, chai is Indian tea that most Indians drink in the morning and evening time. Unlike the USA, where we have huge coffee and tea portions, chai is drunk out of a very small cup: the serving size is maybe only 10 sips.
Mango Lassi is sweet and is a mango juice made out of yogurt, spices, fruit, and water. The consistency of mango lassi is milkshake like. This is a very refreshing drink that is served at parties or it can easily be made at home.
Buttermilk is also a very refreshing drink that Indians love. It is made out of Indian yogurt and water. Buttermilk can be plain, or it can have garnishings on top, such as coriander and chilies.
Thums Up is India’s version of Coca-Cola! It can be bought at almost any restaurant, corner store, or street market. Thums Up and Chicken Biryani are the best combination!
Unlike packaged coconut water in the USA, India offers fresh coconut water, straight from the coconut. All they do is cut a small hole at the top of the huge coconut and put in a straw. Coconut water is the best drink for a hot day.
Clothing:
Indian clothing is very unique and has many different styles throughout the country. Today, we will be discussing some of the most common indian clothes that are worn around the country.
Salwaar Kameez
The salwaar are loose pajama pants. The legs are wide at the top, and narrow at the ankle. The kameez is a long shirt or tunic, often with a Western-style collar.
Lehenga
A lehenga is worn by a woman and it is made up of an ankle length skirt, a cropped blouse, and a dupatta (a very long scarf). Lehengas are worn mostly by younger women for poojas, weddings, and festivals. There are many styles of lehengas, as some are more traditional and others are more modern.
Sari
A sari is a womens’ garment from the Indian subcontinent that consists of an unstitched drape varying from 4.5 to 9 metres (15 to 30 feet) in length that is typically wrapped around the waist, with one end draped over the shoulder. A sari is also worn with a fitted blouse. Saris are also tied differently in different parts of India.
Lungi
A lungi is a long garment worn by men. This large piece of fabric is wrapped around a man’s waist, and is commonly known as leisurewear.
Kurta
A kurta is a men’s outfit that is a collarless tunic. Kurtas are usually worn during special events, such as weddings or festivals.
Dhoti
Dhoti is considered one of the most sacred pieces of clothing. Dhoti is a type of baggy garment that Hindu men wear. The dhoti is wrapped around the hips and thighs with one end brought between the legs and tucked into the waistband.
-Accessories
Arm vanki
An arm vanki is similar to an arm cuff. It is worn on the upper part of the arm and comes in many different styles. Usually, a vanki is made of gold.
Choti braid jewelry
Since long hair is popular in India, there is no surprise that this piece of jewelry exists. This choti is attached to the long braid and is made of gold and many other gems.
Nose ring (mukku ring)
Nose rings are very popular in Indian culture. Studs are common, but large hoop nose rings are worn during weddings.
Gold Belt (Vadanam)
A vadanam is mostly popular in South India. Also known as a gold belt, it is worn on top of a sari. The belt is made up of many beautiful designs and can have an assortment of other gems.
Necklace
Necklaces are a huge part of an indian outfit and are the biggest piece of jewelry noticed. The necklaces can be silver, gold, or even diamond and they come in many different styles. Currently, the choker style necklace is trending.
Toe rings
Toe rings are usually made of silver and worn on the women’s second toe. Toe rings are most commonly worn by married Hindu women.
Bangles
Most Indian bangles are made from glass, plastic, silver, and gold. Unlike bracelets, bangles are not adjustable and several of them can be worn at once on both arms.
Earrings
The traditional Indian Jhumka earring is in the shape of a bell. These earrings were originally specifically made for Bharatanatyam, but were then spread all over India.
Tikka
A tikka is a traditional piece of head jewelry. It is made up of a centerpiece and a chain. The centerpiece is placed on the forehead and the chain is pinned to the hair.
Bindi
A bindi is a colored dot worn on the forehead in between the eyebrows. It also represents the third eye in Hindu religion, and it can be used to ward off bad luck. There are sticker bindis and kumkum bindis. Kumkum is a red powder used in Hindu rituals.
Come back next week for our next post on Rakhi!