Hi all, just writing in few more insights into Indian culture.

.In our day to day routine we perform so many rituals, but do we actually know the significance of them.

1) Why do we light the lamp before God?

..........The lamp symbolizes knowledge and darkness symbolizes ignorance. Hence in Indian culture we bow down and join our hands in front of knowledge.

2) Why do we apply  tilak, on the forehead in Indian culture?

...........The tilak invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer  .The tilak  is said to be  a blessing from the lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces. It also cools the forehead and hence prevents energy loss.

3) Why do we say namaste?

.........Indian culture is popularly recognized by 'namaste'. In Sanskrit namah + te =  namaste. It means I bow to you-my greetings, salutations or prostration.  Namaste is said with the hands joint in front of the chest and the head bowed down. Then bowing down of the head means that you offer the person in front of you your friendship and humility.

4) Why don’t be touch books, papers with our feet?

..........Knowledge is considered as divine and as per Indian culture touching it with our feet is a sign of disrespecting it.

5) Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?

...........We show our respect to elders, teachers, noble souls by touching their feet. Man stands on his feet and hence touching the feet is an act of respecting that person’s age, maturity, nobility and divinity. Good wishes and blessings of elders are highly valued in Indian culture. When we prostrate before elders with humility we invoke these good wishes and blessings.

6) Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?

..........Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc. They make our surroundings beautiful. They epitomize sacrifice. When a stone is thrown on them they revert back and give fruits. Many Indians believe that our ancestors manifest in trees.

7) Why do we ring the bell?

..........We ring the bell in front of the Lord as it produces the sound Om that is the universal name of the Lord. The ringing of the bell during aarti help to produce auspicious sound. It also helps to distract away unpleasant noises or any unpleasant discussions during prayers.

8) Why do we chant the word Om?

.........It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is said to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we take.

9) Why do we fast?

.........Fasting in Sanskrit means upavaasa. Upa means near and vaasa means to stay. It means to stay near the lord. A lot of our time is spent in procuring food etc. Some types of food get us agitated and angry. Hence on certain days when we abstain from eating we are saving time and thinking of the Lord instead. Hence we get close to him.Fasting in Indian culture is done very often.