We live in the world, full of Myths, Superstitions and Old Wives’ Tale!

There are a plethora of fake believes that people still follow and has made these myths, a part of their lives! I want to drag your attention towards the realities behind a few famous superstitions which are been followed.

HANGING LEMON AND CHILLIES PREVENTS BAD LUCK!  This is one of the most famous superstitions that we can see at the door of every second house in India! Indians believe that a goddess named Alakshmi is fond of sour and spicy things, and, she only brings bad luck, disappointments and discomfort. If, lemon and chillies are hanged on the door. The goddess will satiate by eating this, and won’t enter inside, and, will go back. In reality, when lemon and chillies are threaded together, the thread soaks up the juices and averts insects, pesticides, etc. from entering inside.

BLACK CAT CROSSING PATH!  It is believed that, if a black cat crosses your path, you must hold your plans for a while, otherwise it will bring bad luck and you may meet an accident ahead. The truth behind this myth is that long ago people used bullock carts as their vehicles, and animals like leopards with glowing eyes were more likely to cross their path, this makes cows and horses afraid and threatens them, so people prefer to halt for some time so that the animals can refresh themselves.

BREAKING OF MIRROR BRINGS BAD LUCK!  People believe that, if a mirror breaks, it brings misfortune and bad luck. This is a myth; there is no connection between bad luck and mirror breaking. During the old times, mirrors were expensive, and, everyone was not able to afford it, so, this scuttlebutt was spread that breaking mirror brings bad luck!

STAY HOME AT THE TIME OF ECLIPSE!  It is believed that during the eclipse we should not step out of home, should not eat food as it becomes poisonous, the light is harmful and causes blindness. The truth is that we should not look directly against the sun as it may cause retinal damage. The UV rays emitted during an eclipse are not good for bodies.

AVOID SLEEPING WITH YOUR HEAD FACING NORTH!  Our forefathers made a rule that we should sleep without heading towards the South, if we sleep with our head in the North, we invite death. The actual reason behind this is that the relation between Earth’s magnetic field and the bio-magnetism (Human body’s field), it causes harmful effects like blood pressure and other diseases that asymmetry if the field would create.

GIRLS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THINGS WHILE MENSTRUATION! Girls are not allowed to enter the kitchen while they are on their periods, they are not allowed to do work, and to touch things as this became a superstition. Earlier, there were no sanitary pads and painkillers which caused discomforts. Women were not allowed to work as they have to tolerate pain for the five stressful days, because of this they can’t do hard work. That’s why they were not allowed to work for those five days, but, it converted into a myth and a superstition and became a ritual.

GHOSTS LIVE IN PEEPAL TREE!  If people have their house in front, behind or beside the peepal tree, they prefer selling it out or prefer not to live there. It is said that we should not go near peepal tree in the night as ghosts roam and live there. The truth is that the sunlight and carbon dioxide produces glucose for plants, this process is called photosynthesis. And, inhaling carbon dioxide is not good for the human body, that’s why our forefathers made a rule of not going near the peepal tree.

BATHING AFTER ATTENDING FUNERAL! People believe that if we don’t bath after coming back from the funeral will cause link with the deportee’s soul. Years back, there was no vaccinations of the contagious diseases, so our ancestors set a ritual of bathing after attending the funeral for prevention of infections from the dead body.

DON’T CUT NAILS AFTER SUNSET!  It is said that we should not cut nails after sunset as it is not good. The reason behind this is that the blades of nail-cutters are very sharp and may cause harm if we use it in dim light or dark. That’s why we should avoid cutting nails at night.

DON’T WASH HAIRS ON THURSDAY!  Our grandparents say we should not wash hairs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This rule was made for saving water as it requires a lot of water for washing of hairs.

DON’T SWEEP AFTER SUNSET!  Sweeping after sunset brings bad luck, it is believed in every Indian house. This rule was made by our forefathers, as artificial lights were not invented at that time, so, they preferred seeping home in the daylight to avoid sweeping something important because of dim light.

EAT CURD AND SUGAR BEFORE GOING OUT!  It is said that eating curd and sugar before starting something new or before heading out as this brings good luck and increases the chance of getting good. The reality behind this superstition is that the consumption of curd and sugar gives cooling to the stomach and keeps one cool.