Tradition and belief often shape everyday life in India. From what you eat to how you begin your day, generations of cultural advice come wrapped in stories, customs, and well-meaning warnings. But not all of these ideas hold up under scientific scrutiny. Some practices that continue in homes across the country aren’t rooted in fact they’re habits passed on unquestioned.
In this list, you’ll explore 12 widely followed Indian beliefs that have no scientific basis, yet remain deeply embedded in everyday routines.
1. Drinking Milk After Fish Causes Skin Problems
Many people still believe that consuming milk after eating fish leads to skin conditions like white patches or allergies. However, no scientific evidence supports this claim. Both milk and fish are nutritious, and there’s no chemical reaction between them that affects the skin. This belief likely stems from older Ayurvedic interpretations, not modern nutritional science.
2. Sweeping the House After Sunset Drives Away Wealth
It’s commonly said that sweeping your home in the evening will sweep away prosperity. While this belief may have once served a practical purpose like preventing the accidental loss of small valuables in low light it has no basis in fact. Cleaning your home at night is simply a matter of personal routine, not financial fate.
3. Hiccups Mean Someone Is Thinking About You
This comforting idea is popular across India, but the real reason behind hiccups lies in the diaphragm a muscle that spasms due to overeating, excitement, or sudden temperature changes. There’s no connection between hiccups and someone thinking about you. It’s simply a physiological reflex.
4. Pregnant Women Should Avoid Going Outside During Eclipses
Pregnant women are often advised to stay indoors during solar or lunar eclipses, and even to avoid using sharp objects or eating food. Scientifically, eclipses are harmless. They’re natural celestial events that have no impact on human biology or fetal development. The restriction is cultural, not medical.
5. Lemon and Green Chilies Ward Off the Evil Eye
Seen outside shops, vehicles, and homes, the hanging lemon-chili charm is believed to protect against negative energy or bad luck. While this practice is rooted in folk beliefs, there’s no scientific mechanism by which this combination could influence outcomes or shield against misfortune. It’s more symbolic than functional.
6. Iron Objects Prevent Pickles from Spoiling
Some households drop rusty nails or iron pieces into pickle jars, believing it will preserve the contents. This is not only ineffective, but potentially unsafe. Rusty iron can contaminate food and pose a health risk. Pickling requires proper hygiene, salt, oil, and airtight storage not metal additives.
7. Curd and Sugar Before Leaving Brings Good Luck
This pre-exam or pre-interview ritual is widely followed in India. While curd and sugar are refreshing and may soothe the stomach in hot weather, there’s no scientific evidence that they influence your luck or performance. The comfort comes from the ritual, not the ingredients.
8. Wearing Black on Saturdays Is Inauspicious
Wearing black, especially on Saturdays, is discouraged in some communities due to religious or astrological beliefs. But colors have no inherent energy that affects your luck, well-being, or outcomes. Scientifically, color is about light reflection and personal preference not fate.
9. Cutting a Peepal Tree Invites Bad Luck
The Peepal tree is sacred in Indian tradition, often associated with gods and spiritual energy. While respecting nature is important, the belief that cutting a Peepal tree brings misfortune is rooted in religious symbolism—not environmental science. Conservation makes sense, but not because of curses.
10. Bathing After a Funeral Removes Spiritual Impurity
After attending a funeral, many people bathe and change clothes as a way of cleansing themselves. While basic hygiene after being in public or crowded spaces is always a good idea, the idea of spiritual “impurity” has no scientific basis. It’s a cultural ritual, not a health requirement.
11. You Shouldn’t Eat During a Solar Eclipse
Fasting during eclipses is a tradition in many households, based on the belief that food becomes toxic or digestion is affected. Scientifically, eclipses don’t alter the chemical composition of food or disrupt the human digestive system. The decision to fast is cultural, not biological.
12. Papaya Should Be Completely Avoided During Pregnancy
It’s commonly believed that eating papaya during pregnancy especially in the early stages can lead to miscarriage. While unripe papaya contains latex, which may cause uterine contractions in very large quantities, ripe papaya is safe in moderate amounts and provides key nutrients like folate and vitamin C. The belief, though widespread, doesn’t apply to the fruit in its ripe form.
Conclusion – Cultural Beliefs That Don’t Align With Science
Many Indian beliefs are followed with deep conviction—but not all are grounded in science. From avoiding food during eclipses to believing milk and fish shouldn’t be eaten together, these practices continue in homes across the country without scientific support.
While some originated from historical or cultural contexts, they no longer hold up to modern understanding. Recognizing which beliefs are symbolic and which are factual helps you make better-informed choices without blindly following habits that may no longer serve a purpose. Balancing tradition with reason is the first step toward conscious living.
