customs unique to north india

Customs in India differ from region to region – north India is different from South India; Eastern parts of India are different from the western parts, yet there is a feeling of oneness too. In fact, if there is one thing that makes India unique and beautiful, it is its staggering, overwhelming, and humbling cultural diversity.

The Ganga-Jamuni culture of India has a rich past to boast of. Since its beginning days, India has received every culture with an open heart and it was for this reason that Indian was able to conquer the hearts of endless Wanderers and conquerors; they were conquered by the selfless love that this land offered. They came here never to go back and India became their home forever.

The outcome was a multicultural land that looked like a dazzling and colorful tapestry. Different communities settled in different regions of this vast land and each region developed a unique cultural texture over time. It is because of this free cultural intermingling that each part of India developed its own cultural distinctiveness. There are similarities and there are differences.

So, let us explore some of the customs that are still unique to North India. 

Food

The staple diet of North India is wheat. The custom in most parts of North India is to serve a complete thali, a platter which essentially includes dal (pulses), sabzi (vegetable dishes), roti (homemade wheat bread) and rice along with several accompaniments like tangy chutney (special kinds of sauces), curd, and pickles. According to the custom prevalent in North India, you are expected to eat all the dishes together rather than one by one, as in Bengal and other parts of India. North Indians, especially upper caste Hindus are traditionally vegetarian, though the non-vegetarian food is also popular.

 

Clothing

The traditional costume of men in North India is Dhoti-Kurta or Kurta-Pyjama, while that of women is saree and salwar kameez. In some parts, Phiran and Ghaghra-Choli are also worn by women. The method of wearing saree is different in regions like Bengal and unlike north India, Lehenga is still in vogue in South India.

 

Marriage ceremony

The marriage ceremony in northern parts is also a little different from other parts of India. According to the Hindu custom, the main ceremony takes place in the night and in the bride’s house. Mangal sutra, a special kind of necklace worn by married women also remains unique to North India and engagement ceremony called Mangani or Sagai is also distinctly North Indian in its origin.

 

Religious customs

Two very popular and important festivals of north India are Karva Chauth and Teej. According to the ancient custom, Hindu women fast for the whole day for the longevity and safety of their husbands. Similarly, Chhatha, a festival popular in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is celebrated by Hindu women mainly for the well-being and longevity of the son.

 

Festivals and celebrations

North India has a rich folk culture and many interesting customs and practices associated with dance, music, folk-theatre, art, and poetry. While Bengal celebrates Navaratri to mark the end of evil, North India celebrates Dussehra to mark the victory of Ram over Raavan. Huge processions or dual mark the event. It is a custom to organize Ram Lila in every town and village to narrate the story of Lord Ram. Holi, the festival of colors, is another festival very popular in North India. In some parts of North India, women beat men with sticks to celebrate the festival. Similarly, it is a custom to play cards in North India during the festival of lights – Deepawali.

Subtle cultural nuances and slight variances in customs and practices in North India make it unique and quite different from other parts. Knowledge of these customs and how they have evolved over time can help us understand India and our cultural progression better.