India’s culture is an intricate tapestry of traditions, rituals, and beliefs that have evolved over thousands of years. Superstitions — locally known as andhvishwas — form a colorful part of everyday life. From the fear of the evil eye to lucky omens involving cows, crows, and coconuts, these beliefs continue to influence modern India. Here are 100 of the most enduring superstitions still followed today.
1
Evil Eye (Drishti)
To ward off the evil eye, people burn red chilies and rock salt or hang a lemon with green chilies outside the door.
2
Sacred Cow
Feeding or touching a cow brings good fortune and removes obstacles from life.
3
Black Cat Crossing Path
If a black cat crosses your path, it’s considered unlucky — many wait for someone else to pass first.
4
Lemon and Chili Totka
Hanging seven green chilies and one lemon at entrances or vehicles keeps away evil energies.
5
Eclipse Rituals
During solar or lunar eclipses, people avoid eating or drinking as food is believed to be impure then.
6
No Sweeping After Sunset
Sweeping in the evening drives away Goddess Lakshmi — the goddess of wealth.
7
Crow Cawing
A crow cawing near your house means guests or ancestral spirits are visiting soon.
8
Snake Worship
On Nag Panchami, snakes are worshiped for fertility and protection — killing them is considered a grave sin.
9
Lighting Diyas
Lighting oil lamps at dusk invites positive energy and drives away darkness and negativity.
10
Right Foot First
When entering a temple or new home, stepping in with the right foot brings good luck.
11
Twitching Eyes
Right eye twitching brings good luck for men but bad for women — and vice versa.
12
Spilling Milk
Spilling milk is seen as a sign of financial loss or coming disappointment.
13
Peepal Tree at Night
Avoid going near Peepal trees after sunset — it’s said spirits rest there.
14
Sneezing Before Leaving
If someone sneezes just as you’re leaving, pause for a moment — it’s believed to bring bad luck if you go immediately.
15
Cutting Nails at Night
Cutting nails after dark invites poverty and misfortune to the household.
16
Dog Howling
Dogs howling at night are said to sense approaching death or misfortune.
17
Offering Water to the Sun
Pouring water while facing the rising sun ensures health, focus, and spiritual strength.
18
Elephants Bring Luck
Elephants symbolize Lord Ganesha — keeping their idols at home brings wisdom and success.
19
Broken Bangles
A broken bangle is a sign of bad luck, especially for married women.
20
Evening Prayers
Lighting a diya at twilight is said to invite Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings into the home.
21
Yawning Without Covering Mouth
If you yawn without covering your mouth, spirits may enter — always cover it!
22
Touching Elders’ Feet
Bowing to touch elders’ feet brings their blessings and removes bad karma.
23
Eggs in Rituals
Rolling an egg around a person and then breaking it removes evil energy from their aura.
24
Broken Mirror
A cracked mirror must be thrown away immediately — it brings seven years of bad luck.
25
Rooster Crowing at Odd Hours
If a rooster crows after midnight, it’s believed to signal death or misfortune.
26
Spilling Salt
Spilling salt brings quarrels and bitterness in the family; to neutralize it, sprinkle sugar afterward.
27
Women Avoiding Temples During Periods
Many believe that visiting temples during menstruation angers the deities and disturbs purity.
28
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means money coming in; the left means you’ll lose money soon.
29
Frog Croaking Before Rain
If frogs croak loudly, rain is near — a classic omen in Indian villages.
30
No Milk at Night
Giving milk to someone at night is believed to drain your home’s prosperity.
31
Black Dot on Babies
A black kajal dot is applied on a baby’s cheek or foot to protect them from the evil eye.
32
Tying Red Thread on Wrist
A red or yellow thread tied around the wrist protects against evil spirits and bad energy.
33
Crows During Shraddh
If crows eat food offered during Shraddh, ancestors are said to bless the family.
34
Burning Camphor
Burning camphor in the house removes negative energy and purifies the environment.
35
Tulsi Plant at Door
Keeping a Tulsi (holy basil) plant near the entrance attracts peace and prosperity.
36
Not Standing on Threshold
Standing on a doorway halts prosperity and invites disputes; step inside or outside fully.
37
Flowers for Deities
Only fresh flowers should be offered to gods; wilted ones bring misfortune.
38
Hearing Your Name Unexpectedly
If you hear your name but no one called you, spirits might be near — don’t respond.
39
Housewarming with Cow
Leading a cow into a new house during Griha Pravesh ensures divine protection.
40
Meditation Facing East
Meditating while facing east brings enlightenment and cosmic alignment.
41
Mirror Facing Bed
A mirror facing the bed is bad Feng Shui — it invites restlessness and infidelity.
42
Elephant Statue Facing Inward
An elephant statue facing into the house brings wealth and knowledge from Lord Ganesha.
43
Dove Cooing
A dove cooing repeatedly near your home can signify an upcoming death in the family.
44
Gifting Wallets with Money
A wallet should always contain at least one coin when gifted — it keeps wealth flowing.
45
Gifting Knives or Scissors
Never gift sharp objects — they cut friendships unless a token coin is exchanged.
46
Not Killing Spiders
Spiders are considered lucky as they weave the web of prosperity — don’t kill them indoors.
47
Bird Pooping on You
While unpleasant, it’s believed to bring financial luck and blessings.
48
Knocking on Wood
To avoid jinxing good news, people knock on wood for protection from envy.
49
Sudden Light Flicker
A sudden flicker in the lamp or light is believed to signal a spirit’s presence nearby.
50
Broken Toe Rings
For married women, a broken toe ring is seen as a bad omen and should be replaced immediately.
51
Water Spilling Accidentally
Spilling water is actually good luck — it symbolizes cleansing and renewal of energy.
52
Falling Spoon or Fork
A spoon falling means a woman guest will arrive; a fork means a man is coming.
53
Blowing Out a Diya
Never blow out a diya — it disrespects Agni, the fire god. Let it burn out naturally.
54
Hanging Garlic and Lemon
Garlic and lemon strings are hung in shops to repel evil eyes and jealous energy.
55
Offering Marigolds
Marigold flowers symbolize purity and good fortune; they are used in weddings and temples.
56
Oiling Hair on Saturdays
Applying oil on Saturdays is said to anger planet Shani; best avoided to prevent bad luck.
57
Wearing Blue on Saturday
Wearing dark blue on Saturday pleases Shani Dev and reduces hardships in life.
58
Tuesday Haircuts
Getting a haircut or shaving on Tuesdays is avoided as it reduces one’s lifespan.
59
Curd and Sugar Before Exams
Eating curd mixed with sugar before an exam or important event ensures success and focus.
60
Ganesh Idol for Prosperity
Keeping a Ganesh idol facing the main door attracts good fortune and wisdom.
61
Feeding Birds
Feeding grains to birds, especially crows and pigeons, brings blessings from ancestors.
62
Dropping Rice Grains
Wasting rice is seen as disrespect to Goddess Annapurna, who represents food and wealth.
63
Fragrant Flowers at Home
Jasmine and rose scents invite positivity and attract divine presence into the home.
64
Feeding Ants
Offering flour or sugar to ants improves karma and ensures peaceful domestic life.
65
Sparrow Nest in House
If sparrows nest inside your house, it’s considered a symbol of harmony and prosperity.
66
Money Under Pillow
Keeping a coin under your pillow brings wealth-related dreams and guidance.
67
No Perfume in Temples
Strong fragrances distract from spirituality — avoid perfumes inside temples.
68
Sleeping Under Moonlight
Sleeping directly under full moon rays is believed to cause mental imbalance or weakness.
69
Offering Bananas to Cows
Offering bananas to cows helps clear personal obstacles and grants blessings from gods.
70
Planting Bamboo Indoors
A bamboo plant attracts peace, success, and positive chi when placed near windows.
71
Looking into Mirror at Night
Avoid gazing at mirrors in darkness — it may attract wandering spirits.
72
Seeing a Rainbow
A rainbow after rainfall is an auspicious sign of new beginnings and divine blessings.
73
Taking Photos in Threes
Some believe the middle person in a group of three in photos will face bad luck — avoid odd numbers.
74
Fire Crackling
If firewood crackles loudly, guests are coming or news will soon arrive.
75
Shooting Star
When you see a falling star, make a wish — it’s believed to come true soon.
76
Sewing While Wearing Clothes
Sewing the garment while wearing it is believed to lower intelligence or lifespan.
77
Sleeping Facing North
Sleeping with your head towards the north attracts negative magnetic energy and bad dreams.
78
Shoes Turned Upside Down
Keeping shoes upside down is disrespectful and brings arguments in the house.
79
Sudden Candle Flicker
If a candle flickers without wind, it means a spirit is nearby watching you.
80
Ants Carrying Food
When ants carry food toward your house, it brings wealth; when they leave, prosperity departs.
81
Falling Leaves
Catching a leaf that falls from a tree in autumn brings you one year of good health.
82
Crow Flying Overhead
A crow flying right over you while cawing brings good luck — an ancestor’s blessing.
83
Dreaming of Water
Flowing water in dreams brings fortune; stagnant water brings emotional struggle.
84
Dreaming of Fish
Fish in dreams is a sign of fertility and the coming of good news or pregnancy.
85
Right Ear Buzzing
When your right ear buzzes, someone is praising you; the left ear means gossip.
86
Peacock Feather
Keeping a peacock feather in the house removes negativity and attracts divine grace.
87
Blowing Candle on Birthday
Some elders avoid blowing out candles — extinguishing fire by breath is seen as inauspicious.
88
Lending Salt in the Evening
Lending salt after sunset takes away your home’s prosperity and invites debt.
89
Pointing at the Moon
Children are told not to point at the moon — it causes marks or bad luck on the face.
90
Feeding Stray Dogs
Feeding dogs on Saturdays helps remove the malefic effects of planet Shani.
91
Ant Hill Worship
Feeding or worshipping anthills pleases the serpent goddess and brings rain and wealth.
92
Four-Leaf Plant
Finding a rare four-leaf clover or leaf is a powerful sign of good fortune ahead.
93
Losing Jewelry
Losing gold jewelry means the gods have taken an offering in exchange for safety.
94
Feeding Pigeons
Feeding pigeons at dawn removes sins and brings peace to ancestors’ souls.
95
Potato for Protection
Keeping a raw potato in your pocket absorbs the “evil eye” and bad energies.
96
Full Moon Baths
Bathing under full moonlight purifies the soul and fulfills wishes when done with devotion.
97
Frog Croak as Good Luck
Hearing frogs croak after long silence means prosperity and rainfall are coming.
98
Parrot Flying Overhead
If a parrot flies over you, it’s believed to bring a message of good news or letters from afar.
99
Lamp Going Out Suddenly
If a lamp goes out suddenly during prayer, it signals the departure of divine energy.
100
Seeing the Sun and Moon Together
When the sun and moon appear together, make a wish — it’s a sacred and rare blessing moment.
References
- India Science & Technology Portal – “Scientific explanation of so-called superstitions” — Government of India resource explaining common Indian superstitions (e.g., eclipses, evil eye, rituals) from a scientific point of view.
- Indian Journal of Positive Psychology – “Impact of Sociocultural Beliefs on Indian Superstition Among Undergraduates” — University-based psychological study on cultural transmission of superstitious behavior.
- IJIP Research Paper – “Correlates of Superstitious Beliefs among Young Adults in India” — Empirical data on superstition prevalence and gender/social differences.
- Integral University Law Journal – “Anti-Superstition Laws: Bringing Reforms to the Nation” — Legal perspective on government action against harmful superstitions.
- International Journal for Research in Technological Innovation – “Position of Anti-Superstition Laws in India” — Overview of India’s reform efforts regarding irrational beliefs.
- Comparative Study – “Superstition in Urban and Rural Areas” — Academic analysis of superstition patterns between city and village populations.
- ResearchGate – “Witchcraft and Anti-Superstition Laws in Modern India” — Examines the persistence of rituals and the legal framework addressing them.
- IAS Express – “Superstition in India: Causes, Effects & Govt Efforts” — Educational summary on the historical, cultural, and administrative dimensions of superstition in India.