Tradition
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Scientific Reason behind wearing ornaments
One of the gender role associated with females is appearing all fancy and decorated, especially after marriage. Though natural or internal beauty is the best asset yet external beautification has also become an important part. It is surprise to know that few ornaments, worn as symbol of married women, actually have scientific and health benefits. If they succor in health benefits then why not take the duo advantage.
Significance of toe ring:
Toe rings or commonly called as ‘bichiya’ are worn in pairs on the second toe of both feet. Some people may also wear more than one set of toe rings, for fashion or even tradition. Apart from the symbol of marital status, it has major 
health benefit.
A nerve from the second toe connects the uterus and passes to heart. Wearing toe ring on this finger strengthens the uterus. It also keeps the person healthy by regulating the blood flow to it and menstrual cycle is regularized. As Silver is a good conductor, it also absorbs polar energies from the earth and passes it to the body. These toe rings worn on a particular finger enhance the sexual arousal among the females.
Significance of wearing bangles:
Be it in any form ranging from choodha among Punjabis to ivory bangles among 
Rajasthanis, the material and designs can vary accordingly. Apart from being a jewelry piece, it holds important health benefit. Times when mostly the male members of the house were involved in physical work and ladies were engrossed in household chores the bangles helped the ladies to stay fit. Normally the wrist portion is in constant activation on any human. Also the pulse beat in this portion is mostly checked for all sorts of ailments.
The Bangles used by women are normally in the wrist part of one’s hand and its constant friction increases the blood circulation level. Further the electricity passing out through outer skin is again reverted to one’s own body because of the ring shaped bangles, which has no ends to pass the energy outside and send it back to the body. This maintains the blood pressure and results in stability and patience.
Nose Rings: Trendy or Significant?
Nose rings are one of the ancient jewellery and has been widely worn by females, since 16th century. Some observe that nose stud was not used during ancient times and it was introduced by invaders during the 11th century. So whenever it came to India, it is widely popular even today.
Symbol of Marriage:
Nose ring or stud is worn by married and unmarried girls, yet in few Hindu societies it is a symbol of marriage. It is considered as one of the 16 sringar for married women. Various Indian communities have a tradition of wearing nose ring during marriage ceremonies. Though the position of the nose may vary from culture to culture like left side, right side or septum (between the nostrils).
Health benefits:
It is said that the left side of the nostril is associated with the reproductive organs of the females. So the piercing in this side of the nose makes the delivery or child birth easier. It also reduces the menstrual cramps every month.
Religious Importance:
Apart from the cultural value, the nose piercing is considered as a gesture to adore and honour Goddess Parvati. Being associated with marriage and love towards her spouse, the women wear nose ring to please the Goddess.
Nowadays people have started wearing this ornament as a fashion statement. The acceptability of nose stud is widely increasing among the people of west and also in the work culture. It also makes the women look appealing and beautiful.
Get dirty, stay healthy! Why should we eat with our hands?
Few of us burdened under the weighty words of westernization and globalization are many times compelled to follow few norms, which are against our will and acceptability. Remember those days when mom used to run behind us with a plate and trying to bluff their toddler for feeding them with their own hands. Those heavenly days were mostly cherished by every Indian kid, but here my intentions are to highlight the fact ‘Why were we fed with hands rather than classy cutlery’.
Today we have broken those natural essence and jumped on to the modern ways of society, yet for some ‘eating with hands’ is still in trend. Eating with cutlery is thought to be more modern, hygienic and convenient, however most people don’t realise that there is a rationale behind eating food with your hands.
- According to the Vedas, our hands are the representation of the five elements of nature.
Thumb: Fire
Index finger: Air
Middle finger: Heaven
Ring finger: Earth
Little finger: Water
So these elements work on your food by cleansing it and preparing us to eat and digest them well.
- A certain kind of bacteria resides in our hands, mouth, throat, intestine, gut and rest of the digestive system; that saves us from the outside harmful bacteria. So the pattern of bacteria is maintained when you eat through your hands.
- In our Indian culture, it is said that “eating food with your hands feeds not only the body but also the mind and the spirit”. Even our Vedas gives utmost importance to this pattern of eating.
- The satiety value of food enlarges when one eats with hands rather than spoon or fork.
- Even while we watch television and eat, our complete senses are involved in the process of eating through hands and we engage ourselves in feeling the texture, warmness and taste of the food.
- As soon as you touch your food with your hands, the brain signals your stomach that you are about to eat. This in turn, prepares the stomach to digest the food it will receive, aiding in better digestion.
- People who eat with their hands are more conscious about hygiene than others, thus it inculcate the habit of washing hands and staying clean. It also keeps you away from certain diseases.
- Eating with hands provides you with another level of awareness and your mind, body and soul are indulged in the entire process making you feel full.
So few of these points might encourage you to get back to the original avatar and get your hands dirty, off course when it’s healthy 🙂
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Loving bond between Couples: Karva Chauth and its Scientific Relevance
The warmth of festive season is at its peak. Beautifully attired women, with henna applied on their hands offering prayers to Moon for the long life span of her partner (Pati-parmeshwar), is a long known tradition in Hinduism. Yea I am talking about the pious fasting of Karva-Chauth, where married women fast for the long life of their husbands and maintain peace and prosperity among the family relations. Numerous beliefs and sentiments have been attached to this festival, varying as per geographical relevance and traditions.
When is Karva Chauth celebrated?
Literally ‘Karva’ mean earthen oil lamp and ‘Chauth’ means four; thus this festival falls on the fourth day of the Kartik month according to the Hindu calendar. It is generally observed eight days after Dussehra. This is also the time when the onset of Rabi crops begin, so people used to gather together to wish and pray for a good harvest in this season.
Origin of Karva Chauth:
The initial significance of fasting on the day of karva Chauth was entirely different than what it has emerged with years. This festival was celebrated to symbolise the loving relationship between the bride and other women in her in-laws, who would be best-friends or sisters for life. As the girl was away from her parents and could not share her emotions with anyone in her in-laws, so she searched for her support and became friend with another lady. Now she could freely discuss her marital life as well as other stories, which leads to a strong bond between them. This festival was a signal to celebrate and honour their friendship between god-friends or god-sisters. Later the sentiments of fasting for the longevity of her husband were attached to this.
Scientific relevance of Karva Chauth:
The association between fasting by wife and increased life span of the husband is treated differently by various people. Few of them follow it because of traditional values and others might be reluctant and do it by force. So the clear picture is always a question wandering in our heads. Scientifically fasting has a biological relevance due to higher detoxification and protein synthesis in the body. As per the study of starvation-resistant biological program, it is proven that the stem cell potency and reproductive potential is preserved during the process. Whereas the high orgasmic frequency among human beings increase their span of living. Now if we attach both the results together, it is clear that fasting leads to longer reproductive capability among females and thus more sexual activity during her long life. It directly affects her partner, thus increasing his life expectancy.
Along with this, praying to Moon during Kartik month has extra benefits as the coolness and calmness provides us with better body metabolism. The heat and energy in the body is controlled which in turn is concerned with the digestive, enzymatic, and endocrine systems.
Thus the nirjalahaar (without food and water) vrat along with ‘sargi’ (food before observing fast) and ‘baayna’ (gifts offered to in-laws) results in maintaining a precious bond between families. It provides will power to the females and reciprocates their love for her husband. The mythological importance has also been mentioned in Mahabharata, where Draupadi inquires about the fast from Lord Krishna.
Contributed By: Meenakshi Ahuja
Fasting- The New Cool!
Chiming bells and sandalwood aroma,the air smells of faith. Faith had many shades, of which fast and fasting are of the brightest hues.
For ages,people have believed in fasting, from saints to common man to politicians, I’ve always wondered why would people believe in it in the first place.
As ayurveda puts it, fasting helps in detoxification of the body. It is a normal body process eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colour, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph, glands and skin. This process is pr
ecipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. When fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases chemicals from fatty acid into a system which are then eliminated through the above mentioned organs. Chemicals that are absorbed from environment like DDT are also excreted through urine during fasting.
Second prescribed benefit, is the healing that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast, energy is diverted away from digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. Healing process during a fast is precipitated by body’s search for energy sources. Abnormal growth like tumors in body, do not have full support of body’s supplies and thus are more prone to autolysis (self-destruction). Also, production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer mistakes are made by the RNA/DNA (genetic controls), which governs the process. A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs.
There is a decrease in core body temperature which is a direct result of slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the BMR is reduced to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast due to greater efficiency in hormone production.
Finally, most advantageous is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expectancy as an anti-aging hormone along with growth hormone are produced more efficiently during fasting. “The only way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is by strengthening the immune system, which also increases life expectancy and feeling rejuvenated and young.
Religion holds the view that in a while one needs to get rate of every materialistic thing that are an integral part of our life and get closer to god.
So, fast to fast up your body and life.
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