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Indians place a huge value on married
women and honoring guests, gods, and goddesses. They believe in things
like the “Evil Eye,” curses, and veneration for things
supernatural and how they affect the physical world. Here are a few
things visitors to India may want to know so they may be aware what to
expect.
This is also an introduction to some things which, ordinarily may seem
rather common place for Westerners, but actually has great significance
in Indian symbolism.
Namaskar
 Namaskarmaskar
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.
Other common forms of greetings by various communities and regions in
India are - Sat-sri-akal by the Sikhs, Adaab by the Muslims, Vannakkam
by the Tamilians, Juley by the Laddhakis and Tashi Delag by the
Sikkimese, amongst others.
Tilak
 Tilak
is a ritual mark on the forehead. It can be put in many forms as a sign
of blessing or greeting. The tilak is usually made out of a red
vermilion paste (kumkum) which is a mixture of turmeric, alum, iodine,
camphor, etc. It can also be of a sandalwood paste (chandan) blended
with musk.
The tilak is applied on the spot between the brows which is considered
the seat of latent wisdom and mental concentration, and is very
important for worship. This is the spot on which yogis meditate to
become one with Lord Brahma. It also indicates the point at which the
spiritual eye opens. Putting of the colored mark symbolizes the quest
for the 'opening ' of the third eye. All rites and ceremonies of the
Hindus begin with a tilak topped with a few grains of rice placed on
this spot with the index finger or the thumb.
Arati
 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 conch shell
filled with water, 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
malicious influence of the ‘evil eye’.
Garlanding
Flower garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and honor.
They are offered to welcome visitors or to honor to the Gods and
Goddesses. The garlands are generally made with white jasmine and orange
marigold flowers. They are weaved in thread tied in the end with a help
of a knot.
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 color or shape, bindis are seen in many bright
colors and in different shapes and designs. They are also made of
colored felt and embellished with colored glass or glitter.
Essential Ornaments for Married Indian Women
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 adorns
many unmarried girls as well.
Mangalsutra
 Mangalsutras
are necklaces 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. 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.
Shakha-Paula
The Shakha-Paula is a pair of shell (shakha) and red coral (paula)
bangles worn as marriage symbols by the Bengali women.
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