India is a place where different eras live side by side. In a single glance, we might see a centuries old fort or temple standing right next to a gleaming, ultra-modern tech hub. Bullcart carts occasionally share the road with electric vehicles, showcasing a nation that fiercely preserves its ancient heritage while rapidly charging into the technological future. To know the country one needs to have an eye to figure out the diversity that co exist. Since my childhood, I used to read that India is a vast country with lot of diversity. But I never ever got a chance to figure it out. To measure the depth of the well, one needs to get inside. Likewise unless and until we do not get out of our home we unable to identify the diversity existing in my country. During my recent visit to the southern India, I manage to figure the diversity that exist within India. There are lot difference that may sounds strange but that is what make southern India a completelly different part within India. Or it may appeared different to me.
The pumpking placed outside a small shop is one of the many unique things that I found out during my recent visit to southern India. While it is an edible vegetable in many parts of India, its placement outside the shop quite fascinated me. It made me to ask fea local people only to figure out that it is used to ward off evil eyes. People believe that a large, uncut ash gourd acts as a natural energetic sponge, soaking up jealousy, ill intentions, and negative vibrations directed at a home or new business. It is frequently painted with a fierce, grotesque demonic face. Eityer it is placed at the side of the entrance or hung with black thread or rope near the entrance to trick or distract malicious gazes. This is unique as many other states people use lemon and Green chillies.
My country is absolutely a vivid nation because of its extraordinary diversity, where languages, religions, landscapes, and traditions create a highly colorful and dynamic society. I was born raised in Eastern and North/ Central India. Because of my upbringing, I was more influenced with the culture and languages exsited in these portion of India. Now figuring all these things in real appeared to be in dreamland.
There are many such things that keeps the Southern India a unique place to explore. There are other rituals too that surpriaes me. People in South India make Rangoli, also known as Kolam or Muggu every morning outside the shop or home to welcome prosperity. Though those hand made art may get spoiled in few minutes , but those art can be easily be seen on the street outside almost every shop. In my short stay so far I am quite amazed with the amount if beliefs and culture that each individual follows. There were many wrong beliefs about people of our side. They used to believe that Southern Indian are not friendly as theybhate people of Hindi speaking origin. But so far I never met a single lerson who does bot want help us. Infact, while looking for a wine shop, a person took me to the place where it was available, when i asked him to join me, he denied it, saying he was not a drinker. It was surprising how people help us. Althpugh there are language barrier that keep us apart. Here people do not understand Hindi, and for us the local dialect was quite unsual. Still there are something that keeps the humanity alive in each other soul. It is all about love and respect that matter between two individuals.
Different threads make the most beautiful tapestry.
Two corner of a country still they totally different. The more time I spent in this new part of my country I am falling love. May the modernization have taken over my part more rapidly than this portion of my country. But there is very unusual and amazing thing that may bring shock to us.
In good faith - Peace!!