Ramlila
Ramlila translates as ‘Rama’s play’ and is performed in northern India during Dussehra (October-November). This theatrical performance celebrates Rama’s life, strengths and struggles. The dramatic performances involve a combination of songs, narration, dance and dialogue to narrate episodes from the Ramcharitramanas composed by Tulsidas. He spreads the message of “good over evil” and teaches the philosophy of life to the audience. They are held in all the cities and villages of North India, but if you travel to India at this time of the year, you can see the best Ramlilas in Ayodhya, Ramnagar, Varanasi, Vrindavan, Almora, Sattna and Madhubani.
Aghori sadhus from Varanasi
Aghori sadhus are awe-inspiring monks who renounce all earthly possessions to attain eternal spiritual liberation. These ascetic Shaiva sadhus engage in post-mortem rituals such as meditation on corpses, cannibalism, holding skulls as a reminder of the transience of life, and smearing their bodies with ashes, the last rites performed on a material body. Another vital ritual is to take a dip in the Ganges before sunrise to cleanse oneself of all sins.
Greetings- A Namaste
This is how you receive in most places in India. This traditional Indian greeting is accompanied by a slight bow and folded palms placed in front of the chest. This folk custom is not a mere gesture but literally means ‘I bow to the god within you’ and reflects India’s rich culture, which has its roots in ancient Indian scriptures and texts. Below are some unique Indian traditions.
Traditions and Customs – Atithi Devo Bhavah
In India, the saying “Atithi Devo Bhavah” is also organically embedded. It means “the guest is equal to God”. It is a Sanskrit verse from the Hindu scriptures, which later became part of the “code of conduct” of Hindu society, as guests have always held a prominent place in the culture of India.
Scripture – epic
Indian literature can be traced back to the great epics written in the form of poems, plays, stories and even self-help guides. The most famous Hindu epics are the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Ved Vyasa’s Mahabharata is the longest poem in Sanskrit. Both epics were written to highlight the human values ​​of sacrifice, loyalty, devotion and truth. The moral of both stories is the triumph of good over evil.
