1. Why do we place both palms together to greet?
In Indian culture, people greet each other by joining their palms – termed as “Namaskaar or Namastay.” 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, prevents any germs from being exchanged since we don’t make any physical contact! For the same reason, food and drinks touched by a person's tongue are not partaken by others to prevent infection.
2. Why do Indian women wear a toe ring?
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.
3. Why do we throw coins in the well, pond or 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 / Nickle coins of today. Copper is a vital metal very useful to the human body. Throwing coins in the water (well, pond and river) was one way our fore-fathers ensured we intake sufficient copper as part of the water as wells, ponds and rivers were the sources of drinking water. Making it a custom ensured that all of us follow the practice.
4. Why do we apply tilak / kumkum on the forehead?
On the forehead, between the two eyebrows, is a spot that is considered as a major nerve point in the 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 Aadnyaa-chakra are automatically pressed. This also facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles.
5. 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 Aagama Shaastra, 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 a minimum of 7 seconds in echo mode. The duration of the echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centers in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts.
6. Why do we start our meals with spice & end with sweet?
Our ancestors have stressed 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.
7. Why do we apply mehendi / henna on the hands and feet?
Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi (Henna) 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.
8. Sitting on the floor & eating
This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasana” position and then eating. Sukhaasan is the position we normally use forYoga asana-s. When you sit on the floor, you usually sit in simple, relaxed cross-legged posture – in sukhasana or a half padmaasana (half lotus), which are poses that instantly bring a sense of calm and help in digestion, it is believed to automatically trigger the signals to your brain to prepare the stomach for digestion.
9. Why you should not sleep with your head towards the north?
The myth is that it invites ghost or death, but science says that it is because the human body has its own magnetic field (also known as hearts magnetic field, because of the flow of blood) and earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with the head towards the north, our body’s magnetic field becomes 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 has a significant amount of iron in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate in the brain. This can cause a headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive Decline, Parkinson disease, and brain degeneration. Therefore, the ideal position would be to sleep with the head towards the south and feet towards the north.
Our ancestors have stressed 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.
7. Why do we apply mehendi / henna on the hands and feet?
Besides lending color to the hands, mehndi (Henna) 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.
8. Sitting on the floor & eating
This tradition is not just about sitting on floor and eating, it is regarding sitting in the “Sukhasana” position and then eating. Sukhaasan is the position we normally use forYoga asana-s. When you sit on the floor, you usually sit in simple, relaxed cross-legged posture – in sukhasana or a half padmaasana (half lotus), which are poses that instantly bring a sense of calm and help in digestion, it is believed to automatically trigger the signals to your brain to prepare the stomach for digestion.
9. Why you should not sleep with your head towards the north?
The myth is that it invites ghost or death, but science says that it is because the human body has its own magnetic field (also known as hearts magnetic field, because of the flow of blood) and earth is a giant magnet. When we sleep with the head towards the north, our body’s magnetic field becomes 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 has a significant amount of iron in our blood. When we sleep in this position, iron from the whole body starts to congregate in the brain. This can cause a headache, Alzheimer’s Disease, Cognitive Decline, Parkinson disease, and brain degeneration. Therefore, the ideal position would be to sleep with the head towards the south and feet towards the north.
10. Why do we pierce our ears?
Piercing the ears has great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, the power of thinking and decision making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behavior 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.
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Piercing the ears has great importance in Indian ethos. Indian physicians and philosophers believe that piercing the ears helps in the development of intellect, the power of thinking and decision making faculties. Talkativeness fritters away life energy. Ear piercing helps in speech-restraint. It helps to reduce impertinent behavior 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.
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