India is a land of many religions and peoples. Needless to say, this variety brings with it a set of practices fuelled by beliefs that range from silly to downright bizarre. Superstitions are a part of our culture. 'don't touch that' and 'today's Tuesday, no tiffin' have probably been things you said or heard as a youngster. Maybe you still do. What's funny is that despite education and badho India, superstitions govern our lives. Here are a few that lack logic but are full of myth-

Red Flag: Menstrual blood has always been treated akin to something sinful. Indian women are still asked to stay away from religious shrines, close contact with others- males, banned from the kitchen, etc. Murdering people and shedding blood for religion and nationalism- allowed. Funny rules.  The science behind this old rule is that women would be kept away from work in order to avoid weakness. Our country, however, is one with an appetite for myths. The practice is still largely followed, even in urban areas with severity ranging from mild to worse.   

Blackout: A black cat on the road will have the most educated people take a step back. If not break into a run.Black cats are considered a bad omen in the north, presumed a sign of ill luck, even death. A black cat appearing is seen as a bad sign for the day and will often see people stiffen, hoping it doesn't cross over. Well, that's a racist rule.

Crowded trees: The bare tree in Vikram and Betal has always been a spookily unavoidable part of the story, and why not. In India, certain trees are thought to attract evil spirits at specific hours after midnight. The Peepul and Banyan trees are believed to be a haven for spirits on a late night 'flight'.

Lemony snippet: India's flavour for lime and chilli flows deep into the psyche as the palette. Lime and chillis outside a house aren't some abstract artwork but a bid to ward off the 'god of poverty'. It can be seen dangling from trucks and buses too. It is also believed to ward off the evil eye. I don't blame it, nobody likes chillies or lime in their eye. Science, however, says this is all for nourishment, Vitamin-C.

Digest this: Hiccups have forever been associated with remembrance. That old aunty may have told you someone is remembering you for the evil you did. Or some say it could be when you're being missed. Science says hiccups happen when the food has not been digested. So next time you hiccup, pop some sugar in your mouth and move on.