India is country of many religions, castes, beliefs and so is the number of traditions and customs in the country that changes around after every mile. Sometimes we tend to find old customs and traditions obsolete and backward in nature but many of these have scientific theories behind them and science has proved there is always some well-defined reasons behind these customs. Today we came up with list of such well-defined reasons and theories behins these customs.
1. Throwing Coins into a 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.
2. 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!
3. Why do Indian Women wear 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.
4. 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.
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 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.
6. Why do we have Navratras
Our
living style has drastically changed if we compare it to the society
hundreds & thousands of years ago. The traditions which we follow in
present are not establishments of today but of the past. Ever thought,
why do we have Navratras twice a year unlike other festivals like
Deepawali or Holi? Well, both these months are the months of changing
seasons and the eating habits of both the seasons are quite different
from each other. Navratras give enough time to the body to adjust and
prepare itself for to the changing season. These nine days were marked
as a period when people would clean their body system by keeping fasts
by avoiding excessive salt and sugar, meditate, gain a lot of positive
energy, gain a lot of self confidence & increase the self
determination power (fasts are a medium to improve our will power and
self determination) and finally get ready for the challenges of the
changed season.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Choti on the Male Head
Sushrut rishi, the foremost surgeon of Ayurveda, describes the master
sensitive spot on the head as Adhipati Marma, where there is a nexus of
all nerves. The shikha protects this spot. Below, in the brain, occurs
the Brahmarandhra, where the sushumnã (nerve) arrives from the lower
part of the body. In Yog, Brahmarandhra is the highest, seventh chakra,
with the thousand-petall
ed lotus. It is the centre of wisdom. The knotted shikhã helps boost this centre and conserve its subtle energy known as ojas.
11. Applying Mehendi/Henna on the Hand
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.
12. Celebration & 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.
13. Sitting on the Floor & 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.
14. Why not to sleep with Your Head towards North
Myth is that it invites ghost or death but science 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.
15. 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.
16. Ear Piercing in Children
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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. Why do we Fast
The underlying principle behind fasting is to be found in Ayurveda.
This ancient Indian medical system sees the basic cause of many diseases
as the accumulation of toxic materials in the digestive system. Regular
cleansing of toxic materials keeps one healthy. By fasting, the
digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are cleansed and
corrected. A complete fast is good for heath, and the occasional intake
of warm lemon juice during the period of fasting prevents the
flatulence. Since the human body, as explained by Ayurveda, is composed
of 80% liquid and 20% solid, like the earth, the gravitational force of
the moon affects the fluid contents of the body. It causes emotional
imbalances in the body, making some people tense, irritable and violent.
Fasting acts as antidote, for it lowers the acid content in the body
which helps people to retain their sanity. Research suggests there are
major health benefits to caloric restriction like reduced risks of
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, immune disorders etc.
20. Why Idol Worship
Hinduism propagates idol worship more than any other religion.
Researchers say that this was initiated for the purpose of increasing
concentration during prayers. According to psychiatrists, a man will
shape his thoughts as per what he sees. If you have 3 different objects
in front of you, your thinking will change according to the object you
are viewing. Similarly, in ancient India, idol worship was established
so that when people view idols it is easy for them to concentrate to
gain spiritual energy and meditate without mental diversion.
21. 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.
