🗺️ What not to do in India: gestures, temples and weddings

A cow lies in the middle of a city highway, and no one shoos it away. Drivers silently steer around the animal and keep going. For a visitor, this is the first and strongest impression of India.

Behind this behavior is not chaos, but custom. The country is divided into dozens of states, and almost each one has its own rules. What feels normal to you may offend a local here.

We have gathered the traditions that most often confuse visitors: from sacred animals to wedding rituals. In Varanasi, funeral pyres burn on the banks of the Ganges around the clock. In Tamil Nadu, devotees pierce their skin during the Thaipusam festival. These scenes are explained by faith, not by a love of the exotic.

The cult of the sacred animal

💡 In short:

Animals have been revered in India since ancient times, and almost every state has its own sacred species.
The cow remains the main cult: it must not be harmed, and it has priority on the road.
You do not enter a temple wearing leather shoes or carrying leather bags and belts.
Rules of conduct and temple etiquette: 09/2026, verified on the official tourism portal of India.

The tradition of deifying animals goes back to deep antiquity, but in India it is alive today. In the past, insulting a sacred animal was punished harshly. Today the punishment is milder, but the law still protects animals from cruelty.

Two cows wander down a street amid garbage

Each state has its own cult. To avoid an awkward situation, find out in advance who is revered in your region. The strongest cult is associated with the cow. It roams freely through streets and highways. People give way to it, and it is fed right on the roadside.

Temples do not admit people wearing leather shoes or carrying leather items. Leave belts and bags in the storage room at the entrance. In Tamil Nadu, Thaipusam is celebrated, a festival in honor of the god Murugan. Devotees carry decorated kavadi poles to temples and pierce their skin as a sign of a vow. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Cruelty to cows carries large fines and prison terms in several states. Exact sanctions depend on the region, so behave with restraint and do not disturb the animals.

Indian dances

Almost everyone in India dances, and people learn it from childhood. Not knowing how to dance is considered bad form, while mastery earns universal respect. Every dance here is not just a set of movements, but a composition with an idea and meaning. The audience understands the story and judges the precision of its delivery.

Dancers in costume perform Bharatanatyam on stage

Classical styles such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Odissi convey myths through strict hand gestures and postures. Improvisation is allowed, but only within the canon. At weddings and festivals, both amateurs and professionals dance.

Greetings and gestures

A handshake is not always accepted here. Shaking hands with a woman or a stranger is considered inappropriate. Hugs and kisses when meeting are also not common, even between close people. Instead, people use namaste: palms are pressed together at chest level and a slight bow is made.

Obama greets with namaste, next to Mukherjee and Modi

Gestures are read strictly. Do not snap your fingers, do not wink at women, and do not clap without reason: this will be taken as a hint or an insult. Pointing a finger at people and statues is also not advisable.

At the table, the right-hand rule is observed. Eating, taking food, and passing a plate are done only with the right hand, even if you use utensils. The left hand is considered unclean, so the fork is held in the right hand. Do not touch shared dishes with your left hand.

In conservative provinces, visitors' behavior is watched more closely, so stay polite and calm. We verified the rules of gestures and personal space on the official tourism portal of India (as of: 09/2026, source).

Ritual ceremonies

Cremation remains the main funeral rite in Hinduism. The body is burned on the bank, most often by the Ganges, and the ashes are scattered over the water. In Varanasi, pyres burn around the clock, and this is not a spectacle, but part of everyday life.

Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi with boats and stacks of firewood

The custom of sati, the self-immolation of a widow on her husband's pyre, is a thing of the past. It was banned back in colonial times, and today such cases are isolated and criminally punishable. You will not see this on an ordinary trip.

A wedding holds a special place in Indian culture. It is given more importance than almost any other event, and preparations last for weeks. According to Vedic tradition, the union is made for life, and divorce is not provided for in the classical rite.

Before the wedding, families compare horoscopes. Based on the birth dates, a brahmin draws a conclusion about the couple's compatibility and how successful the union will be. This stage has survived even in urban families. A few days before the celebration, an engagement takes place: the bride's father places a tilak on the groom's forehead, a sign of consent to accept him into the family. Relatives add their own marks and give gifts.

On the eve of the wedding, a sangeet is held at the bride's home, a women's celebration with songs and dances. Female relatives from both families sit at the table, sing, and wish the couple happiness. A day before the ceremony, haldi is performed: the hands, feet, and face of the bride and groom are rubbed with a turmeric paste. It is believed to give the skin a festive glow. Rooms are decorated with the Hindu swastika, an ancient symbol of luck and well-being. This sacred sign of Hinduism has no connection to Nazi symbolism.

The main rite takes place by a sacred fire. A brahmin chants mantras, and the couple walks around the fire, sealing the union. After this, the man accepts the wife as sent to him from above, and she sees in her husband the highest value.

In the past, the groom arrived at the bride's home on a decorated elephant; now it is more often in a car procession. The mother-in-law greets him, bows, and places a tilak on his forehead to protect him from evil forces. Then the couple exchanges flower garlands as a sign of fidelity.

Traditionally, the bride's family bears the expenses. Parents of several daughters have a hard time, since a single wedding outfit requires a full set of jewelry. In large cities, customs are gradually softening, and couples increasingly hold modest ceremonies.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is it okay to photograph Indians on the street?

Ask permission, especially near temples and on beaches. Many people agree readily, but refusal is also common. Near cremation sites by the Ganges, photography is prohibited and is taken as an insult. Keep your camera put away until you have received consent.

What should you not do in an Indian temple?

Take off your shoes before you even approach. It is better to cover your shoulders and knees. Inside, do not turn your back to the deity and do not take photos without permission. Check the rules at the entrance, because they differ from temple to temple.

Is it true that you can only eat with your right hand?

Yes, in India this is not a formality. People also greet with the right hand. If you forget, you will be politely reminded.

Is it mandatory to respect cows?

Yes, and not only cows. You must not chase away, push, or frighten an animal. Drive around a cow calmly and do not photograph it up close.

When is the best time to go to see a wedding or festival?

Wedding season and most holidays fall in the cool months from November to March. Thaipusam in Tamil Nadu is celebrated in January or February, with the date depending on the Tamil calendar. Check exact dates in advance, because they change every year.

In short: what is worth booking

The traditions of India are best seen in person. If you want to catch vivid ceremonies, plan your trip for the wedding season from November to March or for the days of Thaipusam in Tamil Nadu. Focus on temple cities: Varanasi, Madurai, Tirupati. Book tickets and accommodation in season well in advance, several months ahead. Check festival dates on the official website before purchasing.

How to behave in India: customs and rules for visitors