Questions tagged [customs]
The customs tag has no usage guidance.
28
questions with no upvoted or accepted answers
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What is the reason behind closing the village/street/agrahara temple in case of a death in the nearby area?
I have seen this several times, that temples are closed if there is a death in the houses in the vicinity. To clarify, vicinity has a variable scope here; sometimes it's a street, sometimes an ...
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Do any scriptures mention what would happen if temple restrictions are not followed?
The Supreme Court allowed the entry of women in the Swami Ayappa Temple at Shabarimala and ever since then a lot of protests have erupted in Kerala against the decision. One of the points that is ...
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Is the North Indian custom of the bride kicking over a pot of rice on first entering the in-laws' house based on scripture?
I believe the rice getting scattered over the house represents the bride filling her new home with prosperity. Does any scripture prescribe/describe this custom?
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Why do Iyengar brides sit in father's lap during the wedding ceremony?
In the South Indian Sri-Vaishnava community of Iyengars, there is a peculiar custom that the bride sits on her father's lap while tying the Mangalya sutra.
Such custom is not found in any other South ...
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Measles according to the customs & beliefs
I was a bit surprised to realize that there was no post relating to measles. Anything about it would help me, like:
How it is viewed and what is its significance?
Do the scriptures mention it as ...
user560
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Cooked rice during rituals
In Karnataka, mainly around Udupi/Mangalore/Sringeri, the cooked rice is called "musure (ಮುಸುರೆ)" (in Kannada). Not sure what it's called in English (may be impure) or Sanskrit.
If cooked ...
- 3,357
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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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Why does Hinduism advocate Kanya-Dan over Putra-Dan?
Why do Hindu women leave their parents' house and go to husbands or in-laws place after marriage?
While this is a custom among almost all the religions; I'm interested in knowing if there is any ...
- 2,796
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What is the significance of smearing of Kumkuma on the chest by women in the scriptures?
Srimad Bhagavatam, while describing the consorts of Lord Krishna, such as Srimati Rukmini and others, and the close associates of Lord Krishna such as the gopikas and the women in Mathura, frequently ...
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Are there any rules for giving bhiksha (alms) according to the shastras?
I've heard that there is eligibility and rules for engaging in bhikshadana but are there any rules to giving bhiksha as well?
We see people begging around temples in India, both ordinary people and ...
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Made made snana ritual
As described in this Wikipedia post, made made snana involves rolling over the banana leaves after eating.
Is there any scriptural validity (apart from the fact that it's now a "custom") for ...
- 3,357
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What are different types of Arties?
What are the different types of Arties available?
What is the use of Mangala Arti?
Is Mangal Arti and Dhrishti Arti both same?
How to prepare for Mangala Arti?
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What are the days to avoid oiling of hair?
Many people say in general that on so and so day one(it applies to men/women/both) should not apply oil.
Say for example they may avoid oiling hair on full moon day(i.e., poornima) or no moon day(i.e.,...
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Dwitiya Nasta: importance of second day
I heard in one upanyasa a vidwan say that we should must continue the activity/work on second iteration; he said "dwitiya nasta" will not result in good outcome.
For example:
if you start ...
- 3,357
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Today I took an oil bath (abhyangana snana on Amavasya). What does it mean? With parents? or does shastras describe the consequences of such action?
I there is already question about abhyangana snana. But I for someone who took a oil bath by negligence. What does it mean? Or if i gave a oil bath to my kid on Amavasya. what does it mean? Are there ...
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Is it mandatory to shave beard also along with head
After someone's demise, I know family member's go through a ritual where they shave off their head but I heard a new thing from my house Pandit Ji, he said now it is mandatory to shave beard also, ...
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Was Sati (a hindu custom) a rule during Shivaji's tenure?
I want to know : To whom was it mandatory to perform sati during shivaji's rule- only kshatriya widows? or all widows irrespective of castes?
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Why do we put water around plate before eating in the process Chitrahuti (चित्राहुति) Or "Chitravati"?
I have checked the following Q&A which addressed about this ritul in the past.
Which Scriptures mention "Chitrahuti" (चित्राहुति) or "Chitravati" procedure which we carry out ...
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Why Lord Ayyappa Vratam or Mandalam is done only in few months?
Why Lord Ayyappa vratam or mandalam done only during Karthika masa or generally from September - January? I know even temple is generally opened during this period. Is there any reason or shastra ...
- 553
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Gruhapravesam in a week after marriage
Is it advisable to do Grihapravesham (Gruhapravesham - House worming function) immediately after marriage? Some of relatives are telling that it is not good to have another function immediately after ...
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Nose piercing in Hinduism
I have read that Hindus usually pierce nose on the left side. Why is it so?
Is there any bad omen related to right side nose piercing?
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How and when are idols cleaned in temples?
I saw many time idols are getting cleaned by priests.
My question are:
What is used to cleanup the idols?
Just water or something else?
Is there any timing for cleaning?
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Trimming of Shikha/tuft
It has already been discussed here that without Shikha, one is considered naked and hence shaving is not allowed.
My question is, can it be trimmed to certain length?
If not trimmed, it would grow ...
- 3,357
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279
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Shaving the head of a baby outside of India
I am getting more calls as a barber about this service. What does it entail? When I do a head shave I usually do a pre shave, 2 hot towels, hot later and the shave. What is the technique for the baby ...
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Can imported flowers be used to decorate God?
I live in Australia. The management committee of Lord Siva Temple here imports flower garland from India. After the arrival The Australian quarantine department spray chemicals on garland to stop any ...
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Time Frame to perform Homam
If there is a death in the house [especially parents] what is the time frame to conduct Homam? Should it be performed after Varushapdhigam [after one year of ceremony]?
Albeit I am doing homams this ...
- 4,915
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What are the duties to be followed after initiation under a Vaishnava Guru?
Being part of a Vaishnava family, I had undergone a ceremony for having Guru when I was 10 years old. The only duty I followed after that is to wear "kanthi" so I wanted to know what are the other ...
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Why do Swami Ayyappa images have Namam symbol on the forehead?
Why do swami Ayyappa images seem to have Namam symbol on the forehead? Is there any story behind that? He is the son for both Hari and Hara so shouldn't pattai be applied to swamy's forehead?
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