India isn’t just a country — it’s a living museum of habits, hacks, rituals, and customs that have survived thousands of years. Some we follow blindly, some we laugh at, and some we feel strangely guilty about ignoring. But here’s the twist:
👉 Many “superstitions” actually have deep scientific, psychological, or Ayurvedic logic.
Today, we decode some practices you’ve probably grown up seeing — from eating dahi-cheeni before exams to wearing bangles — and show you the logic our ancestors hid inside them. Let’s begin.
(Spoiler: ancient Indians were way smarter than we thought.)
1. Why We Eat Dahi-Cheeni Before Exams
This is the universal Indian ritual. But it’s not about “good luck.” It’s about biochemistry.
✔ What actually happens:
- Curd + sugar = instant glucose boost
→ stabilizes energy
→ keeps the mind alert - Curd cools the gut and nerves
→ reducing anxiety - In Ayurveda, curd and sugar are buddhi-vardhak
→ meaning they support clarity + memory
👉 In short: It’s a science-backed pre-performance meal. So the next time you step into an exam, interview, or big meeting — that spoonful is a biohack, not a superstition.
2. Why We Give Coins at Temples (Not Notes)
Ever wondered why older generations insist on giving coins and not cash notes at temples?
Here’s the reason:
- Metals like copper, brass, and silver are considered forms of Lakshmi — energy, abundance, conductivity.
- Coins absorb and release subtle energy better than notes.
- Notes don’t have the same symbolic or energetic purity.
👉 Coins represent grounding, gratitude, and circulation of prosperity.
3. Why Indians Fast (Upvaas ≠ Starving)
Many think fasting is just a religious obligation, but our ancestors treated it like a body-mind detox.
✔ Spiritual logic:
- Reduced digestion → more mental clarity
- Focus shifts inward instead of outward stimulation
✔ Scientific logic (modern science agrees):
- Better hormonal balance
- Improved digestion
- Detoxification
- Reduced inflammation
- Boost in neural regeneration
Fast isn’t punishment — it’s ancient biohacking.
4. Why Married Women Wear Sindoor
Sindoor is made using:
- Turmeric
- Lime
- Mercury (parad) in ancient formulations
Together, they help:
- Regulate blood pressure
- Enhance mood stability
- Maintain calmness
No wonder married women traditionally used it — it was a daily micro-dose of Ayurvedic therapy.
5. Why Women Wear Glass Bangles
This is one of the smartest cultural inventions. When bangles lightly strike each other, they create micro-vibrations, which:
- Stimulate blood circulation
- Activate acupressure points
- Keep body temperature balanced
- Support hormonal stability
What looks like jewellery is actually wellness tech, designed centuries ago.
6. Why Restaurants Place Lemon & Chilies at the Door
Restaurants and street stalls often keep lemon + chilies at the entrance.nThis wasn’t for “evil eye.” It was for survival.
Lemon + chili mixture emits compounds that:
- Repel insects
- Especially mosquitoes
- Control airborne bacteria
- Keep the entry area hygienic
This made perfect sense in humid, tropical weather.
7. Why Travelers Ate Lemon and Chili Before Long Journeys
Before trains and cars, long journeys meant:
- No clean water
- Wild landscapes
- Exposure to toxins
Lemon + chili helped:
- Hydrate the body
- Provide Vitamin C
- Detox the gut
- Combat food poisoning
- Maintain electrolyte balance
It was literally an ancient immunity shot.
8. Why Students Touch Water Before Studying
As sunlight passes through water, it splits into seven colors — a complete spectrum.
Symbolically, this represents:
- Balance
- Clarity
- Activation of senses
- Mental steadiness
Touching or offering water before studying was a ritual for focus and discipline, not superstition.
9. Why We Immerse Ganesha (Visarjan): The Cycle of Life
Ganesha Visarjan marks:
- Creation (arrival)
- Sustenance (worship)
- Dissolution (visarjan)
It teaches:
- Nothing is permanent
- Everything changes form
- Growth requires letting go
A spiritual, ecological, and psychological lesson packed into one ritual.
The Bigger Message: Indian Rituals Are Designs, Not Accidents
When you decode them, you realise:
- Every ritual is connected to health
- Every superstition hides a psychology
- Every practice improves well-being
- Every custom was an environmental design
Our ancestors didn’t just believe —
they observed, experimented, and optimized.
And today, modern science is finally catching up.
Nikita Palesha is a wellness advocate and eco-conscious writer who shares simple, sustainable tips for everyday living. She’s passionate about mindful choices that support a healthier planet and a balanced lifestyle.
