Below I have compiled a very incomplete list of the many auspicions and inauspicions here in the jewel of the crown.

-Coal eyeliner on babies wards off the evil eye and the ill-will of those jealous of their beauty and vitality. Worth the charcoal irritation...not sure?
-The bride's henna that is smeared or faded will lead to a unfullfilling marriage. Yep, its the henna not the fact that they havent met the guy before.
- if money is waved around the bride-groom's head and then thrown onto the ground it will suck up all the ill-will directed against them.
-Eatting only cold food on the Thanda festival will keep Jupiter happy and prevent from getting the measles
-Drinking liquid with your meal will cause indigestion...I think its worth it
-Eating a popsicle will give you a cold...even in 105 degree heat
-A truck that keeps a black fuzzy ball on the back on its bumper will ward off the evil eye on the road. Whether it does equally well for the bus speeding the other way is unclear.
-No fruit at night or your stomach will be upset. 15 gulab jamun? A ok.
-A god idol will get hot and therefore angry, but dousing it in soy oil will keep him cool. I think that would make me hotter...
-Don't cut hair on Tuesdays. This one is definitely observed, I couldnt find a salon open on that day.
-A woman who gives money to the blind will marry a very handsome man
-yoghurt will counteract the ill effects of ghee
-cow dung is a disinfectant
-the color indigo is a natural bug repellent

and my personal favorite
- eating off the lid of pan will prevent you from ever getting married

Cheers!

written by  Drie on April 1, 2008 from Jodhpur, India
from the travel blog: Adventures in Hindustan
Send a Compliment

---

What do you mean by "auspicion?" Its not a word. I looked it up!

written by  Della on April 1, 2008

---

What do youuuu mean...she is in the great tradition of our modern linguists, she is noun-ifying a verb, adjective or adverb. She has not yet verbified a noun ..uh, so I guess I just did it for her.

written by  Dad on April 3, 2008

---

So I want to know if you've started giving money to the blind or are you eating food off pan tops on purpose? : )

written by  Jade *wink* on April 3, 2008

---

wow..these are great. In China they believe the same thing about drinking with food causes indigestion. Maybe it's true?!

written by  Margeux Clemmons on April 27, 2008

comment on this...