Six bizarre, yet fascinating traditions of India

Unveiling mysteries behind unique traditions

Discover six of India’s most bizarre yet captivating cultural traditions, from frog weddings to baby tossing, that reveal the rich tapestry of faith, folklore and community spirit woven into the diverse heritage in India.

The Indian culture is a rich tapestry made up of customs and rituals that are frequently inexplicable. Some customs originate from local legends or shared aspirations for prosperity, while others have their roots in ancient beliefs and agricultural cycles. Here are six of the strangest, yet most fascinating, cultural customs that are still prevalent throughout the subcontinent.

Frog Weddings

Villagers in Assam and other parts of North India hold lavish frog weddings, called Bhekuli Biya, to entice the monsoon and please the rain gods. The ceremony is similar to a traditional Hindu wedding, a priest performs Vedic chants to marry a male and female frog after they have been bathed, anointed with oil and dressed in miniature wedding attire. With the hope that the frogs’ croaks will bring rain, the ceremony attracts crowds, music and feasting. As a sign of fertility and the prospect of a bountiful harvest, the frogs are released into a pond after they are married.

Racing with buffaloes

A centuries-old buffalo race, Kambala takes place in the soggy paddy fields of coastal Karnataka. As villagers applaud, barefoot jockeys race through the slush with pairs of buffaloes. The celebration, which commemorates the end of the harvest, is thought to bring good fortune to the farmers. In addition to being exhilarating, the sight of strong animals charging through the mud as the jockeys struggle for balance has deep roots in agricultural tradition.

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Bani festival

In Devaragattu, Andhra Pradesh, men congregate at the Mala Malleswara Swamy temple each year for the Bani festival, which includes ferocious stick fights at midnight. The mythological conflict between Lord Shiva and the demons Mani and Mallasura is symbolically reenacted as participants beat each other with long sticks. Although injuries are frequently worn as badges of honour, blessings from the deity, blood is frequently spilt. The celebration is an inspiring demonstration of bravery, faith and camaraderie.

Baby tossing – Drop your baby for good luck

In some villages of Karnataka and Maharashtra, a 500-year-old custom involves dropping infants, some as young as two months, from a temple rooftop onto a cloth that the villagers hold below. This custom is deeply ingrained in local folklore and is thought to bring good fortune and guarantee the health of the child. Some communities continue to perform the ritual as a matter of faith and tradition, despite criticism and calls for reform.

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Cow trampling ritual

The Govardhan Puja in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, is celebrated with a startling custom, worshippers lie on the ground while cows, who are revered, walk over them. Participants think that by performing the act, they receive the animals’ blessings and are cleansed of sins. Despite the danger, the villagers enthusiastically perform the ritual because they believe in the protection of god and the gentle nature of the cows.

Madey Snana

The Madey Snana ritual in Karnataka is performed by devotees rolling over plantain leaves in which the Brahmins, the caste that sits at the top of the Indian caste system, have just eaten. It is thought that the practice, which is carried out at temples like Kukke Subramanya, can purge bad karma and cure skin conditions. Every year, thousands of people participate in the ritual despite the controversy and legal disputes surrounding its caste implications.

The unique ways that Indians celebrate life, seek blessings and commune with the divine are just as diverse as the languages of the country, landscapes and cuisines.