Questions tagged [customs]
The customs tag has no usage guidance.
22
questions
16
votes
2
answers
164k
views
Shaving / Haircut / Nailcut - what days are allowed / prohibited?
On what days is a haircut or shaving (Kshoura) or a nailcut allowed and on what days is it prohibited?
Are they different between sampradayas?
Are we allowed to cut hair/beard ourselves? Or should ...
- 1
19
votes
7
answers
14k
views
What is the recommended age for marriage for girls as per Shastra?
I remember reading that girls should be married within the age of 12. The intention of the question is not to incite a debate on the ideal age for marriage in today's world, but to know what our ...
7
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Was slavery allowed in Mahabarata times?
I found this.
Yudhishthira supporteth eighty-eight thousand Snataka Brahmanas leading domestic lives, giving unto each of them thirty slave-girls.
Source: The Mahabharata, Book 2: Sabha Parva: ...
- 547
7
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Cross-cousin marriage and hinduism
Among North Indian Hindus the marriage between brother and sister is not allowed for seven generations from father side and three generations from mother's side, but among South Indian Hindus ...
- 1,868
11
votes
1
answer
15k
views
What is the significance of Akshata in rituals?
Akshata (unbroken rice) is used in all Hindu rituals. What is the significance of Akshata in rituals?
- 1,893
9
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Why do women not wear Yagnopaveetham (Janeu or Poonal)?
In this question it is said that the three strands of the poonal signify the debts to parents, teachers and sages.
If so, aren't these debts also meant for women?
Why is it that women do not wear ...
- 471
8
votes
1
answer
37k
views
What should we do when we accidentally kill an animal?
Would like to know what pratikriya (remedy) should we do if we accidentally kill an animal e.g., a car hitting a cow or deer accidentally or car running over a snake?
Also, in the case of a vehicle ...
- 249
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is there a scripturally recommended age of marriage for men?
As discussed in this QnA: What is the recommended age for marriage for girls as per Shastra?
We have lots of guidelines for how much "younger" a bride must be compared to her groom.
For ...
- 13.6k
14
votes
2
answers
74k
views
Myth/Customs related to shaving & hairwash
I have heard a lot of myth related to shaving beard and moustache.
Those whose father is alive should NOT shave.
We should not Shave on Thursday(because wealth might go away) and Saturday.
...
- 541
5
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Sadhus grow their hair while Pandits shave them. Why?
I have seen many Sadhu who grow their hair and never cut them, while there are some Pandits who shave their hair and just have a small pony tail. Both of them are devotees of God but have opposite ...
- 10.1k
6
votes
3
answers
3k
views
What has Virāṭa Parva pārāyaṇa got to do with rains?
From this news article:
Prayers offered for rains
Hundreds of people thronged Indrakeeladri on the bank of the river Krishna to witness 'Varuna yagam' and 'sahasraghatabhishekam' performed for ...
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
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 ...
- 3,503
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Does Vedic Hinduism exist today?
It seems that the rituals, customs, deities, methods of worship etc. in Hinduism today are mainly based on various Puranas and not the Vedas. Even the Vedic Gods are not worshiped in temples. Very few ...
- 1,893
9
votes
1
answer
556
views
Stepping on kolams
In India I observed practically every household washing (or having washed) their entrance in the morning and painting a kolam (a/k/a rangoli and many others) in front of the entrance.
I understand ...
- 782
8
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Can a Brahmin shave off his mustache on his daughter's engagement,or marriage?
I just want to know whether a Brahmin can shave off his moustache on the occasion of his daughter's engagement or marriage. Are there any other occasions where Brahmins can be clean shaved?
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Head shaving when father is alive
Elders in community say full shaving of head is not allowed for those with living father (parents). Only at the death of the father the head is full shaved and after that one can shave any time.
Here ...
- 3,357
5
votes
1
answer
482
views
What do our scriptures say about naming a child?
Do Hindu scriptures provide details on how to properly name a child?
If there are any do’s and don’ts. Is it really necessary to name child based on month or tithis?
- 1,523
4
votes
1
answer
495
views
What is the objective of Shraddha for the departed?
In some of the Vedanta Acharya's talks, I have heard that the objective of Shraddha is chitha sudhi of the performer.
It is prescribed for our benefits, like our chitta will get purified...and even ...
- 729
4
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Custom of covering head with handkerchief in temple?
Us Punjabis cover the head with handkerchief in temples and even during home worship (panchopchar puja) but I haven't seen others do it
I was wondering whether we have any scriptures which hints at it ...
user22928
4
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Is tattoing alowed in hinduism?
I love tattoing and I am a devotee of lord krishna. I think whether tattoing god's name on body is a sin as I am a girl? Does hinduism allow tattoing? Is there any notes about tattoing in puranas?
- 55
3
votes
0
answers
107
views
Why people donate hair on funeral of relatives? [duplicate]
In some Hindu communities, on death of father, son removes his own hair and keep a choti (a small bundle of hair on head at tail part.). What is the reason for shaving the hair?
- 220
3
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is Hinduism's stand on "circumcision"?
Though there is no mention of circumcision in our scriptures. Neither it prohibits it, nor allows it.
Circumcision is often related with jews and muslims customs.
But can a Hindu get circumcised for ...
- 41