CUSTOM HOUSE IN INDIA

CUSTOM HOUSE IN INDIA

India is one of country that has unique traditions in this world. India also called as BOLLYWOOD because of their film production. India has a unique custom house. It can be seen in their clothing, tradition, foods, etc.

1. TRADITION

 Namaskar or Namaste

Namaskar or Namaste is the most popular form of greeting in India. It is a general salutation that is used to welcome somebody and also for bidding farewell. While doing namaskar, both the palms are placed together and raised below the face to greet a person.It is believed that both the hands symbolise one mind, or the self meeting the self. While the right hand represents higher nature, the left hand denotes worldly or lower nature.

 Arati

Is performed as an act of veneration and love. It is often performed as a mark of worship and to seek blessings from God, to welcome the guests, for children on their birthdays, family members on auspicious occasions or to welcome a newly wedded couple. For performing Arati, five small lamps called niranjanas are filled with ghee or oil and arranged in a small tray made of metal. A wick is made out of cotton wool and placed in the lamps. A conchshell filled with water, auspicious leaves or flowers, incense or lighted camphor are also placed in the tray. The lamps are lit and the tray is rotated in a circular motion in front of the deity or the person to be welcomed. The purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the ‘evil eye’.

 Pooja or Puja

Puja or pooja refers to ritual worship of a consecrated idol or image. Most Hindus perform some sort of puja at their homes or temples on a daily basis. A puja is believed to harness cosmic energy to achieve material or spiritual goals. Pujas are performed after a bath. Early morning is considered auspicious for daily pujas though an astrologer may be consulted to select an auspicious time for some special pujas.

 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 is worn today by unmarried girls and women as well. No longer restricted in colour or shape, bindis are seen in many bright colours and in different shapes and designs. They are also made of coloured felt and embellished with coloured glass or glitter.

2. ESSENTIAL ORNAMENTS

 Nose Pin

Many Indian women wear a pin on their nose studded with stones, called a nose pin. A symbol of purity and marriage, the nose pin is today adorned by many unmarried girls as well.

 Mangalsutra

Is a necklace made of black beads, worn only by the 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 India, the mangalsutra is called 'tali'. It is a small gold ornament, strung on a cotton cord or a gold chain.

3. FESTIVAL AND CELEBRATION

 Holi Festival

Every March, thousands of Hindus, especially in India, celebrating the Holi Festival. The ultimate goal is welcome and celebrate the beginning of spring. Hindus hope this celebration will bring blessing that yields good and fertile soil. They believe that spring is the time to enjoy the variety of colors that depict the joy and hope. 

In addition, the celebration of Holi is the time where the Hindu community pray together on the gods to invoke the smooth life during the year ahead. It is believed also that the powder colors symbolize the elimination of sin. Typically, on this important day Indians will wear white.

 Diwali (festival of Light)

Diwali also called the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year. The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home.

4. CLOTHING

In India, the traditional cloth for woman is SARI and for man is DHOTI or LUNGI. 

   

5. FOODS

 Laddu or Laddoo

Laddu or Laddoo is a ball-shaped sweet popular in India. Laddu is made of flour and sugar with other ingredients that vary by recipe.

 

 Tosai or Dosay

Tosai is a fermented crepe or pancake made from rice batter and black lentils.