From worshiping trees to tossing coins into holy rivers, Hindu culture is rich with rituals and practices passed down through generations. However, when we asked our parents or grandparents about the rationale for these rituals, we frequently received ambiguous comments like “Just do it because our ancestors told us to” rather than proper explanations. This caused the younger generation to lose interest in many of these activities. However, it is fascinating to note that, while the majority of these rituals were not specifically established with science in mind, many of them have underlying scientific benefits.
Let's take a look at a few of these rituals and the scientific benefits behind them.
The first ritual is our customary greeting, Namaste, which became world famous during the COVID-19 pandemic when people avoided handshakes to maintain physical space, showing one of its advantages. However, the most scientific advantage lies in the act itself. While doing Namaste, the tips of our fingers touch against each other, triggering various pressure points which may contribute to relaxation and overall wellness, while this symmetrical gesture of pressing palms together also known as “Anjali mudra” fosters balance between left and right hemisphere of brain and body.
Next, let's explore the Mehendi ceremony in Indian Hindu weddings, we all know how extravagant Hindu weddings are, but they come with a lot of stress especially for the bride and groom, so the ritual of applying Mehendi on hands and feet not only enhances the beauty but its cooling effect takes away the excess heat from the body, hence calming the nerves and reducing inflammation, making the wedding a bit more enjoyable experience for the couple and for everyone else who applies the Mehendi.
Moving on, let us solve the mystery of why our elders forced us to sit on the floor to eat food rather than the dining table. The science is not in simply sitting on the floor, but in the posture in which we sit. We were usually asked to sit cross-legged in either "sukhasana" or "ardha-padmasana" poses, both of these asanas aid in stimulating digestion and releasing digestive juices, resulting in faster digestion of the meal.
Next, let's look at a ritual which connects us with fond memories of our childhood. Remember tossing coins in the river and making a wish whenever we came across a river while traveling? Let's unravel any scientific benefits behind it. In ancient times, most of the currency was made out of copper, which is a vital metal for the human body, since river water was the only source of drinking water, our ancestors made sure that they intake sufficient copper by tossing coins in the river, making it a customary practice in Hindu culture. However, since coins are now made up of stainless steel, this custom now remains as a legacy of our forefathers without any scientific benefits attached to it.
Finally, let's look at the science underlying ringing bells in Hindu temples. I recall my mother telling me as a kid that ringing a bell before entering the temple is an act of informing God of your coming, but in addition to this spiritual significance, ringing a bell has substantial scientific benefits. A bell is composed of a predetermined ratio of metals such as cadmium, copper, zinc, nickel, lead, chromium, and manganese. When a bell rings, the left and right sides of our brains work together in perfect harmony. The ringing of a bell lasts 7 seconds, which is enough time to activate our body's healing centres (the seven chakras as outlined in yoga), allowing us to enter an extremely focused state, emptying all negative thoughts from the brain.
To sum it all up, while many of the rituals and customs practiced in Hindu culture may appear complicated or out of date to newer generations, further investigation reveals that they are not random activities but have scientific value. These traditions, passed down through centuries, are deeply linked to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Embracing these practices while knowing their scientific benefits can help bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, allowing us to honour our roots while promoting health and wellness.
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