With so much colour and customs all over, India comes across as an interesting place. I have had the opportunity to travel to a couple of corners of the county and observe the cultural nuances of the Hindus. Let me share some of them here.
Respect
In the east (Bengal) to show respect and to ask for blessings one touches the feet of elders, every time. In the north (Punjab/Delhi) and in the south (Tamil Nadu) this seems optional. I have seen people in the north just bend a bit and mostly with the left hand try and touch the knee :)
Religious tradition
It is a custom to cover the head when going to a temple in both east and north. However covering ones head is considered bad and against the religion in the south.
Marriage
In the east the groom gets to wear the ‘topor’ which is a type of hat and the bride has her head covered and a tiara like ‘mukut’ at the time of marriage – however the face remains visible. In the north the groom’s face is covered by a ‘sehra’ – string of flowers and a ‘pagadi’ turban on the head. The bride has her head and face covered with the ‘chunri’ – a decorated piece of clothing. Unlike these, in south both the bride and the groom are not required to cover their head or face.
Food
This is the most interesting section :)
East and south live on rice while north prefers chapati/roti. Then again in south I have seen people struggle with dry tomato rice or lemon rice with a dry side-dish an effort similar to the north or east where the chapati is eaten with dry side dish. Food at any marriage or similar function in south and part of north is essentially vegetarian while the east feasts on non-vegetarian food.
Respect
In the east (Bengal) to show respect and to ask for blessings one touches the feet of elders, every time. In the north (Punjab/Delhi) and in the south (Tamil Nadu) this seems optional. I have seen people in the north just bend a bit and mostly with the left hand try and touch the knee :)
Religious tradition
It is a custom to cover the head when going to a temple in both east and north. However covering ones head is considered bad and against the religion in the south.
Marriage
In the east the groom gets to wear the ‘topor’ which is a type of hat and the bride has her head covered and a tiara like ‘mukut’ at the time of marriage – however the face remains visible. In the north the groom’s face is covered by a ‘sehra’ – string of flowers and a ‘pagadi’ turban on the head. The bride has her head and face covered with the ‘chunri’ – a decorated piece of clothing. Unlike these, in south both the bride and the groom are not required to cover their head or face.
Food
This is the most interesting section :)
East and south live on rice while north prefers chapati/roti. Then again in south I have seen people struggle with dry tomato rice or lemon rice with a dry side-dish an effort similar to the north or east where the chapati is eaten with dry side dish. Food at any marriage or similar function in south and part of north is essentially vegetarian while the east feasts on non-vegetarian food.
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