Superstitions are prevalent throughout India and vary widely between regions. They stem from a lack of education and provide a sense of control, but can also harm individuals and society. Some common Indian superstitions include not cutting nails at night, believing that crow excrement brings good luck, and hanging lemons and chilies to ward off evil. Widespread superstitions are fueled by mass illiteracy and a desire to manage unknowns, but ultimately undermine productivity and rational thinking.

1. SUPERSTITIONS
IN INDIA
Presented by:
Maithili Patil (J042)
Alekya S Nyalapelli (J039)
Pranjal Phadnis (J043)
Vishesh Mehta (J033)
Ekansh Agarwal (J001)

3. INTRODUCTION
● Superstition refers to any belief or practice that is caused by supernatural
casualties, and which contradicts modern science. Superstitious beliefs
and practices often vary from one person to another or from one culture
to another.
● This is not based on real facts these are just thinking of old minds. There
are many superstitions in India that don’t make any sense but we still, we
follow them blindly.
● For many people, engaging with superstitious behaviours provides a
sense of control and reduces anxiety – which is why levels of superstition
increase at times of stress and angst.

4. OVERVIEW
● Superstitions are usually attributed to lack of education; however, this has
not always been the case in India, as there are many educated people
with beliefs considered superstitious by the public.
● Superstitious beliefs and practices vary from one region to
another,ranging from harmless practices such as lemon-and-chili totems
to ward off the evil eye, to harmful acts like witch-burning.
● Wonder how superstitious our society is, a common priest with a lemon
knows better how to run a vehicle’s engine than a automobile or
mechanical engineer does!

5. PREVAILING SUPERSTITIONS
.
● Superstitions are not country, religion, culture, community, region,
caste, or class-specific, it is widespread and found in every corner of
the world.
● Years of ignorance have placed India in such a position that change
of mentality and introduction of new laws are considered to be the
last resort.
● Indian superstitions and beliefs are quite rampant and baseless.
● There are many beliefs and superstitions in India that range from
amusing to downright bizarre.

6. TYPES OF SUPERSTITION
1. Hindus believe that cutting nails/hair after
sunsets brings bad luck.

7. 2. Crow shit brings good luck.

8. 3. Wearing gemstones brings good fortune

9. 4. Hanging lemon and 7 green chilies

10. 5. Teen tigda, kaam bigda

11. SUPERSTITIONS IN PAST
1. Widows in India have to attain salvation

12. 2. Don't go near a Peepal tree in the night

13. 3. Do not sweep the floor after sunset

14. 4. Menstruation is considered as impure

15. Indian Superstitions with their possible logic
1. Bathe after attending a funeral ceremony -
Preventing infections

16. 2. Eat curd and sugar before heading out - To
keep one cool

17. 3. Do not sleep with your head facing the North -
Preventing cardiovascular diseases

18. 4. Don't step out during an eclipse - Preventing
loss of eyesight

19. CAUSES
● Mass Illiteracy is the prime cause of belief in Superstition as
individuals, without the knowledge of modern sciences, often sees
normal scientific processes as Supernatural.
● Superstitions often are a coping mechanism that help people
manage with the unknowns of life and situations out of control.
● Humans, when unable to rule out a theory prefer to take the safer
route and make sure that do not do something which can later lead
to some adversity, harm or injury.
● Those who know, and know that they know are always less likely to
be superstitious about things they do know.

20. IS IT FOR OUR OWN GOOD ?
● The prime upshot is overall loss of productivity of society and also
of individual.
● Some superstitions make people to harm others for self gains as
seen from the cases of human, animal sacrifices and other
gruesome rituals.
● The case of the tradition of Devadasis in Karnataka. Young girls are
forced to live their lives as servants of the Goddess where they are
exploited and detached from healthy social and personal life.

21. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE
PERSPECTIVE!!

24. CONCLUSION
● From breaking mirrors to hanging lemon and chilies, India is a country
of diverse culture and tradition, as well as of a lot of superstitions from
the most bizarre to the innocuous.
● Every action has a cause and every cause leads to some
consequences.
● Whatever is not based on rationality and reason should not be allowed
to overpower our mind and create unnecessary fears.
● If superstitions tend to continue this way, it will badly affect the
intellectual growth of our society leading to completely illogical,
unscientific wisdom - the dark wisdom.

25. *Aaaaa..Choooo*...Oops sorry!
We hope the sneeze doesn’t bring bad
luck to the next group! :P
Thank You!