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Can age-old superstitions still shape modern India? From sneezing before a journey to not trimming nails after sunset, centuries-old customs continue to influence how people think, act and even make life decisions in a country driven by faith and folklore.
Sneezing before travel is still seen as bad omen.
New Delhi: In a land where science and spirituality often walk hand in hand, superstition still finds its own unshakable place. While India has achieved incredible feats in space, technology and medicine, countless people continue to live by customs that defy logic yet thrive on belief. Some are harmless habits passed down through generations, while others reveal the country’s fascinating cultural contradictions.
One of the most commonly followed beliefs is the superstition that sneezing before stepping out is a bad omen. Many Indians pause or delay their departure for a few minutes if someone sneezes just as they are about to leave home. Rooted in ancient times, it was once linked to health fears or divine warnings, but even today, many households take it seriously.
Another superstition still prevalent across cities and villages alike forbids people from cutting nails or hair after dark. The belief originally emerged in eras without electricity, when cutting oneself by accident was more likely at night. Over time, the practical reason was forgotten, and it became a superstition about inviting bad luck.
Perhaps the most global of all superstitions is the belief that crossing paths with a black cat brings misfortune. In India, this idea is taken so seriously that many drivers and pedestrians stop abruptly when a black cat crosses the road. Ironically, ancient Egyptian culture once worshipped black cats, while in India, the feline somehow became a messenger of bad luck.
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You have probably seen lemons and green chillies hanging outside homes, shops or vehicles. This is one of the most visible superstitious practices in India. The belief goes that these objects ward off evil spirits and prevent negative energy from entering the premises. Even big companies and luxury car owners can be seen following this tradition as a precaution against “nazar,” or the evil eye.
In many parts of India, Tuesday is considered inauspicious for activities like buying new clothes, shaving or even washing one’s hair. Some believe that angering Hanuman, the deity associated with this day, can bring bad luck. Others simply follow the rule because it has been a family custom for generations.
Dropping a shoe upside down or breaking a mirror are both viewed as bad omens. The mirror superstition originates from old beliefs that mirrors hold one’s soul, so breaking them was said to bring seven years of misfortune. Similarly, keeping footwear overturned is seen as disrespectful to the divine and could supposedly invite family discord.
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Experts suggest that these customs persist because they offer a sense of control in uncertain times. In a fast-changing world, rituals rooted in superstition provide comfort and connection to tradition. For some, it is about faith; for others, simply habit.
Despite the rise of education and awareness, superstition continues to coexist with modernity in India. From technology hubs to small villages, belief in the mysterious remains as strong as ever, proving that in this country, logic and legend are never too far apart.
