Uncovering The Truth…

Shilpa along with her best friend, Trupti were heading towards their local market. The local market just being a mile away, they decided to walk. On their way, engrossed in gossips, suddenly an enormously fat and fluffy black cat walked past across their way. “Oh my gosh!” Trupti sighed taking a deep breath. Looking back at Shilpa, Trupti said, “Heavy misfortunes have befallen us! We must head back home right now for this creature is believed to bring misfortune and death when it crosses one's path”. For a moment, Shilpa was too stunned and both stood motionless.

I wonder……

How can anyone label such a cute and innocuous creature as inauspicious? How is this possible for this cute little creature to bring misfortune and death to us when it crosses our path?

Let me tell you – If a black cat crosses your path, it signifies that the creature is going somewhere.

Have you come across any such weird beliefs and are blindly following them?

If you nod in agreement, then this article will prove to be an eye-opening one for you.

All you need to do is – Stay tuned with me as I uncover the weirdest beliefs and superstitions.

Superstition is the death of a thinking mind - Dr. T.P. Chia

Superstition is nothing but a belief or practice that is considered irrational or supernatural resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown or false conception of causation. Beliefs and superstitions are passed down from generations to generations. Some among them are uncovered below:

Offering rotten coconut in the temple indicates rotten luck or bad luck

Firstly, offering coconuts or any other material things will never bring anything good or bad. It’s just a mind-game. Why would God need material objects? Secondly, it is not you who has control over the coconut. Why would God get furious or create any trouble for you if the turns out to be rotten? It’s not your fault. It is He who controls everything.

Hanging lemon and seven chillies keeps the God of misfortune away

You may have seen hanging lemon and chillies on the doors of the shops, houses and on the vehicles. It is believed this act keeps the God of misfortunes away from us and protects us. Isn’t it weird? That’s definitely not a reality. The cotton thread that passes through the lemon and chillies absorbs the acids, vitamin C and other nutrients present in it. Then, by slow vaporization, it is released in to the air. It is associated with many health benefits. That’s the reason our ancestors made it an essential part of the ceremonies.

Throwing coins in holy rivers fulfills our wishes

How can throwing a coin in holy rivers fulfill one’s wishes? It is as weird as it seems! It all started from the ancient times. The coins were made of copper, which is an essential element for our body’s well-being. Rivers used to be the main source of drinking water. When the copper coins remained in the water for long, it became beneficial for those who drank it. Copper helps to kill bacteria present in the water.

Going near a Peepal tree at night may lead to ghost encounters

To be honest, I have heard this from my friend and as a child I always avoided going near the Peepal tree even during the day. But this belief has a different story. Our ancestors probably knew about photosynthesis and the effects of inhaling carbon dioxide in the night. Therefore, people were discouraged from venturing near the Peepal tree at night and stories of ghost encounters were woven around it.

Have a bath after attending funeral or else departed soul may enter your body

Here’s another weird story! Our ancestors did not have vaccination against hepatitis, smallpox and other deadly and contagious diseases. Hence they came up with a set of rituals to be followed after the funeral rites so as to prevent infection from the dead body. Slowly stories about the departed soul got linked with this practice.

Eating curd and sugar before setting out for important events brings good luck

Were you ever offered to eat curd and sugar (Dahi-shakar) before setting out for important events like exams and interviews saying it will bring good luck to you? But it’s not the way you thought. The climate of India recommends eating curd to keep one’s self cool. Consumption of curd has a cooling effect on the stomach. When the sugar is added to it, provides instant glucose. Later, its consumption slowly got linked to good luck.

Sweeping the floor in the evening brings bad luck and drives away Goddess Lakshmi

Well, that’s not true. Our ancestors preferred cleaning their houses during the day because of the presence of the sunlight and to avoid sweeping away something important.

Gifting a handkerchief invites death, bad luck and sobbing

Need not to worry for that’s not true. Living in a patriarchy society, males are considered to be strong and superior. Gifting handkerchief to a man would leave them feel weak. It is also associated with this well-known statement “Boys don’t cry”. Crying is considered as a sign of weakness. Therefore, gifting handkerchief to man was linked with made up stories.

These are just few to list.

There are still many prevailing superstitions and beliefs in our society which needs to be questioned.

Now that you are aware of the reasons behind these superstitions, they don’t seem weird, do they?