A modern country yet the customs and traditions are religiously followed in urban as well as rural . These traditions of are what give an individual identity and lend a mystical essence to the atmosphere. One finds a unique and harmonious co-existence of many different religions in . This gives rise to an umpteen number of traditions. is a secular country and everyone has the right to pursue a religion of his/her own choice. Indian customs and rituals vary from one region to another, yet they are known in a collective form of Indian traditions. Read on further to know about the unique customs, rituals and traditions of .

Traditional Welcome
In India, a guest is considered as equal to God. So welcoming a guest is no less than an event. The guest is given a very warm traditional welcome in which he/she is garlanded and given a welcome drink. Then a "tikka" (vermillion) is applied on the forehead and a small "aarti" is performed. The Indian phrase for this is "Atithi Devo Bhava".

Lighting Lamp/Diya
A small lamp, which is known as "diya" is lit before the picture or idol of god. Along with the diya, incense sticks are also lit. It is lit in the early hours of morning or evening or both. It is considered to bring good luck to the house and is also considered sacred.

Namaskar/Namaste
People greet each other by joining the palms at almost the chest level and saying "namaste". It is used for both "hello" and "goodbye".

Prostrating
The youngsters show respect to elders by prostrating before the elders of the family. They kneel down and touch the feet of their parents as a sign of respect and to receive their blessing and good wishes. The elders bless by touching the head of the child.

Birth Ceremony
Indians rejoice the birth of a kid by conducting a small ceremony. This usually takes place some days after the child has come home. A priest is called to preside on the holy rituals. The child is made to lie down on a beautifully decorated cradle and the priest decides the first alphabet of the child's name.

Wedding Ceremony
Most Indian weddings are held in much grandeur with an amazing display of fireworks, dance, music and lip smacking cuisines. In fact, Indian weddings are not a one-day affair, most of them continue for 3-4 days.

Death Ceremony
Indians pay much respect to the deceased. The person is cremated according to certain rituals and the ceremony lasts quite some days.

Replying to [adseaco]:I learnt a lot from it. Different countries have different customs, we should respect it sincerely.

Replying to [adseaco]:I got really to know more about India culture after reading it .but Adseaco,can you tell me the main festivals that Indian people often celebrate, and when do they celebrate? Thanks

Quoting from [Helen Chan]:

I learnt a lot from it. Different countries have different customs, we should respect it sincerely.

Quite true!! Helen Chan. I appreciate your views

Some more interesting ...cultural customs, religiously followed here...

Bindi
A bindi is an auspicious mark worn by young girls and women. ‘Bindi’ is derived from Bindu, the Sanskrit word for dot. It is usually a red dot made with vermilion powder which is worn by women between their eyebrows on their forehead.

Considered a symbol of Goddess Parvati, a bindi signifies female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Traditionally a symbol of marriage, it has also become decorative and worn today by unmarried girls as well. No longer restricted in colour or shape, bindis are seen in many bright colours and in different shapes and designs. 

Garlanding

Flower garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and honour. They are offered to welcome the visitors or in honour of the Gods and Goddesses. The garlands are generally made with white jasmine and orange marigold flowers. They are weaved in thread tied in the end with the help of a knot.

Essential Ornaments
Nose Pin: Many Indian women wear a pin on their nose studded with semi-precious stones, called a nose pin. A symbol of purity and marriage, the nose pin is today adorned by many unmarried girls as well.

Mangalsutra: It is a necklace made of black beads, worn only by married women as a mark of being married. It is the Indian equivalent of the western wedding ring. The ‘mangalsutra’ is tied by the groom around his bride's neck. ‘Mangalsutra’ is generally made out of two strings of small black beads with a gold pendant. The black beads are believed to act as protection against evil. The married women wear this to protect their marriage and the life of their husband. In southern , the mangalsutra is called 'tali'. It is a small gold ornament, strung on a cotton cord or a gold chain.

Quoting from [little friend]:

Replying to [adseaco]:I got really to know more about India culture after reading it .but Adseaco,can you tell me the main festivals that Indian people often celebrate, and when do they celebrate? Thanks

You can find the list of Indian holidays at below links:


http://www.nri-connect.com/IndiaTravelTourism/IndianHolidayList.htm

http://www.indianpublicholidays.com/home

Replying to [adseaco]:Gr8 Mr. Adseaco, I have joined today your community and glad to know that Indian culture is being popularised

Replying to [adseaco]:
I have a few Indian friends.But this is the first time that i get full acquainted with your peole and cultures. Frankly speaking, our people have no good comment on your nation. But personally, i like your people very much! Warm-hearted and hospitable! I think the most important thing for different nations is communicating. Only through communication can we completely understand each other and respect each other.

Quoting from [Irisyan]:&Replying to [Irisyan]:

I have a few Indian friends.But this is the first time that i get full acquainted with your people and cultures.
Frankly speaking, our people have no good  comment on your nation.
The simple reason here, is that , the people in your country think that they are always at war with us... as they, literally went physical in '1962', your people, very well know, that...it is only India, in the whole world.....who they have to fear.
But personally, I like your people very much!



Warm-hearted and hospitable!

I think the most important thing for different nations is communicating.
Please, remember.....Nations, are divided by governments..and not by the people.

Only through communication can we completely understand each other and respect each other.

Great thoughts and views.




I wish and hope, there are many more people living in this world..who can have the same views.

Rangoli

Traditionally, down the ages in , rites and rituals have been worked around the home and hearth to propitiate the deities and bring peace and harmony. One such ritual to ward off evil spirits is the drawing of Rangoli's on the floor at the entrance of the house. These are intricate patterns drawn in the courtyard or just outside the threshold of the entrance door, first thing in the morning after a bath. Rangoli's are believed to make the surroundings aesthetic and auspicious.

Rangoliis an ephemeral art, much like the sand sculptures or street paintings of the West. In the South, rice flour - both wet and dry - is the preferred medium for doing Rangoli's. Elsewhere, powdered limestone is used for drawing the basic outline in white, which is then filled with colours. The fine powder is held pinched between the thumb and the index finger and sprinkled delicately by maneuvering the hand skillfully to draw lines. When the powder is released more freely, a layered colour is filled in.

Rangoli, as a religious art form has been prevalent all over . Variously known as Kolam in Tamil Nadu, Alpana in Bengal and Aripana in Bihar, it originated in Maharasthra. During Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, Rangoli's are bedecked with oil lamps or diyas; together they are supposed to please and welcome the Goddess of Wealth, Laksmi. The Tamilians have an exclusive month, mid-December to mid-January, when unmarried girls make Rangoli's in courtyard at sunrise, singing songs. This ritual, an offshoot of a legend is supposed to fulfill the nubile girl's wish for a dream husband.

The name, Rangoli, is a combination of two words - rang and avalli which means a row of colours. When you mention the word, Rangoli, what come to mind are colourful geometric patterns as these are greatly favoured all over. The Kolam is usually line patterns in white, with a bit of spot colour provided by kumkum (vermillion) and haldi (turmeric). These are unbroken lines, as it was believed that the absence of gaps left no room for the evil spirits to enter. Today, of course, any line drawing or even freehand p off as Rangoli.

The recurrent motifs in Rangoli'sacross the states are inspired by nature and feature leaves (peepal), fruits (coconut and mangoes) and flowers (lotus). Religious symbols like swastika and aum also figure in the designs.

Replying to [adseaco]:

Quoting from [Indian shoes]:


Replying to [adseaco]:

Thank you for your --mudras (actions).....and modern symbols .
It is also customary...to remove shoes while entering places of worship and until sometime ago, when entering ones house.<br> I hope you follow these.