Questions tagged [culture]
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.
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Do Hindus have specific dress code guidelines in their dharma shastras (scriptures)?
Are there any specific teachings related to how Hindus should dress in the public? In Islam, for instance, it has been outlined that women must wear a hijab or nikab. Islam has very clear instructions ...
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Under which circumstances physical punishment to wife is allowed?
A soldier killing an enemy is not violence because it's done as a part of the war (Yuddha Dharma), or police killing criminals is not violence to reduce the burden on society.
Similarly, in what ...
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Can Hinduism work in a classless society?
I'm not Hindu but it's my understanding that there are Hindu texts that specify a caste system. Must these systems be followed, or is something like a classless society as outlined by Marx (minus the ...
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What are the remedies as per Hindu religion to reduce parents curse?
Parents give curse to their children when they are very angry and actually the child also did some work which is beyond the boundary of their society culture, but the child is not wrong. The curse is ...
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Why do Hindus cover their head?
All Hindu women cover their heads in Temples and during prayers which shows respect towards God. Here I have found there is no mention of women covering their head in any of the Hindu texts. If it is ...
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Do RV 8.33.19 and 10.85.30 suggest women should wear a veil in the presence of men?
Some answers to *What do Hindu scriptures say about women headscarf (hijab)*? on Quora.com cite these verses from the Rigveda that seem to suggest Hindu women should wear a head veil:
God made you ...
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Do Hindus intermarry with other religions?
Are Hindus allowed to marry people of other religions?
If yes, how should they marry someone belonging to a different
religion?
Are the rules different for a man and a woman?
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Does the colour of turban in India have any specific meaning?
The above question is posed as far as the following photo is concerned..
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Vedas and Vedic dharma on homosexuality
This link describes that the Vedas have no problem with homosexuality:
In contemporary India LGBT people face discrimination and marginalization. This results from cultural attitudes imposed by the ...
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What does Hinduism say about protection of nature?
Sanathana Dharma is one of the rarest culture in history of mankind which emphasize on the protection of nature. Here in India, Hindus respect the value of life in Nature. They respect trees, animals ...
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Why do chanting malas have 108+1 beads?
I have often heard that the number 108 has a special significance in the Vedic culture; when mantras are chanted using beads, it is done in a cycle of 108 times. And when 108 times are completed, the ...
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Do any Hindu scriptures say that Hinduism is not a religion but simply a way of life?
I have seen in many answers here that a lot of people have this notion that Hinduism is a way of life (as opposed to a well-defined religion. I find this notion amusing because I think Hinduism is ...
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Does the Adiyogi of Sadhguru have a scriptural basis
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev has a large following in India and abroad. His main sculptural work is the Adiyogi Statue in Velliangiri hills, Coimbatore.
Does the Statue have any Sthala purana or is it ...
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Is the word Hindu mentioned in any Sanatan scriptures? [duplicate]
Is the word 'Hindu' mentioned in any Sanatan scriptures?
Because there is lot said and lot to be said on the word Hindu. I went through different old literature but did not find the word Hindu.
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Is it wrong to hug a friend of the opposite gender?
I was listening to a katha and the katha vachak said that in our shastras, it is forbidden even to touch a female wooden toy. In which shastra is it mentioned that you shouldn't touch/hug females?
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What should I [strictly] do to follow Hinduism as a way of life?
If I decide to follow Hinduism as a way of life, what exactly would I have to do, strictly according to the Vedanta philosophy?
I want to know what ancient Hindu scriptures say regarding this, not ...
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What is the significance of " Vratas" ( व्रत ) In Hinduism?
What is the significance of "Vratas (व्रत )" described in Hinduism. e.g. "Haritalika (हरितालिका)" , "Rushi Panchami (ऋषि पंचमी) etc.
Are there any scriptures pointing towards importance of "vratas" ...
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Why is Holi not much known in Southern India?
Why is Holi not much known in Southern India? Did the festival come into being relatively late in North India?
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Why is there so much diversity b/w north and south and still both hindu
I have myself observed it, all the things b/w north and south are very different, may it be the language, eating habits and in terms of religion both consider themselves as Hindu but have different ...
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Why should not we touch Tulsi and Peepal trees on Sunday?
It is said that, we should not touch or give water to Tulsi or Peepal tree on Sunday. What is the reason behind it and what happens if someone does it?
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Should we chant mantras before eating food?
Usually, we pray before having food. Are there any mantras which should be chanted before taking food? If such mantras exist, do they differ according to the meal e.g., breakfast, lunch and supper?
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Why do Bengalis celebrate Kali Puja during Diwali?
I don't know why, during Diwali, the Bengalis celebrate Kali Puja? Why don't they worship Goddess Lakshmi and Ganesha?
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Origin of "Rãma Nãma Satya Hai"
"Rãma Nãma Satya Hai"
"राम नाम सत्य है"
i.e.
The name of Ram is the truth, is commonly chanted by Hindus while carrying a dead body to be cremated.
What might be its scriptural ...
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Should we study or not study on Saraswati Puja?
Saraswati Puja is soon coming and like any other year, my parents have told me to not study on the auspicious day. In fact, in most Bengali households, studying is forbidden on Saraswati Puja. However,...
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How do Hindus celebrate birthday?
I have not heard about birthday celebrations in our puranas or texts.
But is there any account of Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna) celebration in any of the puranas or other texts? When did it ...
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What does the word "mlechha" (म्लेच्छ) mean in the context of Hinduism?
I have been reading some blogs over the Internet that describe the word mleccha (म्लेच्छ) e.g., here.
Can someone explain me what mleccha actually means in the context of Hinduism and Hindu ...
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Does Taylor Swift's 'Karma' song even remotely have anything to do with the Hindu notion of Karma?
Not a Hindu here, but I'm wondering if this new song is getting under the skin of Hindus the way Alanis Morrissette's 'Ironic' annoyed English teachers. In the song, she mentions several dozen things ...
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What is the overall take of Hinduism on menstruation?
One of the debated topic related to Hinduism is menstruation and related matters. There are some texts including smritis which seem to depict menstruation with antipathy.
In some of the regions and ...
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Why low-caste people are not allowed inside some temples and homes?
In most temples and homes, especially in villages, low-caste people are not allowed.
These regulations are being followed for thousands of years now.
What is the reason behind such practice? What do ...
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How is "Patriotism" seen from the Hindu Dharma perspective?
Are there any scriptures (Dharma Shastra-s) or Hindu saints who have talked about patriotism?
Related: This post discusses specific to Kshatriya class, Martyr concept in Hinduism
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Are there famous deities/gods or spiritual supremo, who had a daughter?
In India, culturally boys are preferred over girls as a child by many orthodox families. Such attitude creates kind of deep rooted gender bias and certain wrongful activities like abortion or ...
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The story behind Names of Hindu calender Months?
In Hindu traditional calender Their are 12 months (मास)
Chaitra (चैत्र), Vaisakha (वैशाख), Jyaistha (जेष्ठ), Asadha (आषाढ), Sravana (श्रावण), Bhadrapada (भाद्रपद), Asvina (अश्विन), Kartika (कार्तिक),...
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What do the various forehead dots and marks signify?
I currently live in an area which has a high Indian population. I've noticed a number of Indian men and women with various marks and dots on their foreheads but have never asked about the significance ...
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Why is Ram lila popular in North India than South India?
When thought of Deepavali the question struck my mind---
Krishna killed Narakasura and we celebrate Deepavali. Rama killed Ravana mightier than Narakasura. During vijayadasami, Ramlila is the one we ...
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Why do widows wear white sarees after their husband's death?
After the death of a man (husband), the wife (widow) is not allowed to wear bangles, kumkum (sindhur) and is asked to wear white saree & shave her head. Is there any reference for such a practice ...
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"Topi pehnana" association with deception [closed]
How and when did the phrase "topi pehnana" become associated with deceiving someone? My mother tongue is Kannada which also has a similar phrase.
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Do we have references to Ramaleela being enacted in the previous yugas?
Rāmalīlā/Ramaleela (रामलीला) —
Name of a dramatic performance or play, on the story of Rāma & Sītā based on
the Rāmāyaṇas; (Literally - ‘Rāma's līlā or divine play/pasttime ’) is any
dramatic ...
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Why do most people fast on Rama Navami but not on Janmashtami?
Why do people fast on Rama Navami unlike Krishna Janmashtami where we celebrate with lot of sweets?
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Why is Lord Hanuman also referred as "Bajaranga Bali"?
The name "Bajaranga Bali" is quite famous especially in the northern parts of India. There are popular movies made with this name, such as Bajrangbali and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
However these names are ...
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Why restriction on taking images and publishing 'some' mantras
Why people are not allowed to take images of god/goddesses in Garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum) of a temple. Is it a sin according to scriptures? or any other reason behind such restriction?
In addition ...
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Is organ donation allowed? Have any Hindu acharyas commented on this practice?
According to some religions, donating the human organs (especially after one's death) is considered a good practice.
So is it a good thing to do according to Hindu scripture?
Have any Hindu acharyas ...
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What are panths (पंथ)?
I'm from a place in India where some groups like panths have existed for a long time. Since we are in a modern age they aren't seen or heard about much but still as the older people do coexist so does ...
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Rangoli (Kolam) according to shastra and tradition
What powder is the ideal to put rangoli?
Is current rangoli colors are tradition? If not what is natural and tradition substitute for colors?
Which location is the ideal to put rangoli? In front of ...
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Is it ok for me (Not Hindu) to wear a turban/head wrap to represent the Hindu character I am playing in a play?
I have done a bit on research into this, and I plan to do more, but I am looking for a more personal answer from people who are Hindu. If you can help, please do, as I need it. I am attempting to ...
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Mudi kanikkai at oppiliappan [closed]
Namaskaram,
We are a south Indian brahmin family. As per our tradition, we have to give mudi kanikkai thrice for infants borne in our family after ayushyahomam. For my second daughter, We could not ...
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How to type पत्ते with half त् as in त्य [closed]
I know this is not directly related to Hinduism but as this community seems to have a background of typing in in Devnaagari / Hindi / Sanskrit. I have searched a lot. I hope someone will answer...
I ...
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If Hindus can't kill animals, how do they get tiger carpets?
I read some Yoga books, and saw Swami Sivananda saying to not kill animals, but himself can be found in a photo making asana over a tiger's skin carpet, even pictures of Lord Shiva show him over a ...
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Is the popular practice of applying Mehndi (Henna tattoo) during weddings supported by scriptures?
From Wikipedia:
Mehndi is a form of body art and temporary skin decoration usually drawn on hands or legs, in which decorative designs are created on a person's body, using a paste, created from the ...
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Who are some ancient Singers of Sanskrit in the past? [closed]
Sanskrit is a phonetically active language that vibrates brain and heart and makes the environment positive. Could you suggest a few Sanskrit singers of ancient India whom one may listen to?
Thanks!
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What is the proper way to say 'good bye' in Hinduism?
As we used to say Ram Ram or Jay Shree Krishna to greet when we meet someone, what is the proper good bye greeting in Hinduism?
I used to say 'bye, take care', but I want to change this to a proper ...
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