Indian Culture and Traditions

Indian culture and Indian culture and traditionstraditions

CULTURE CULTURE OF OF

INDIAINDIA

Religions in IndiaReligions in India

Greeting in IndiaGreeting in IndiaNAMASTE (NAMASKAR) : “I bow to the NAMASTE (NAMASKAR) : “I bow to the

divine in you”divine in you”

TILAK (TILAKA)TILAK (TILAKA)

GARLANDINGGARLANDING

•It showcases one’s happiness at receiving the particular guest•Is a form of publicly acknowledgingguest importance

Essential ornamentsEssential ornamentsNOSE PIN (PIERCE) -> sign of marriageNOSE PIN (PIERCE) -> sign of marriage

MANGALA SUTRAMANGALA SUTRA Sacred necklace that a Hindu groom Sacred necklace that a Hindu groom

ties around the bride’s neck in a ties around the bride’s neck in a ceremony called Mangalya ceremony called Mangalya DharanamDharanam

Left hand / Right handLeft hand / Right hand Never use your left Never use your left

hand in Indiahand in India Use your right hand Use your right hand

for eating , for eating , handling money , handling money , giving or receiving giving or receiving thingsthings

Taking off the shoesTaking off the shoes It’s good manners to take off your It’s good manners to take off your

shoes before entering someone’s shoes before entering someone’s house , temple or mosquehouse , temple or mosque

Staring in IndiaStaring in India It is okayIt is okay Indian people feel quite free to stare Indian people feel quite free to stare

anything or anyoneanything or anyone

Getting personalGetting personal People in India will ask you questions People in India will ask you questions

that seem to be extremely personal that seem to be extremely personal from a Western perspective:from a Western perspective:

– ““How well do you know?”How well do you know?”– ““How money do you make?”How money do you make?”– ““How much does it cost?”How much does it cost?”

Personal spacePersonal space Solitude is not a common desire for Solitude is not a common desire for

many indian peoplemany indian people Indians are social gregarious people Indians are social gregarious people

who’d rather be in company of otherswho’d rather be in company of others