500+ Words Essay on Indian Culture
Culture consists of ideas, customs and social behaviour of a particular people or society. It encompasses a complete civilization. Our Indian culture is diverse and vibrant and considered to be the oldest and supreme one. India’s identity all over the world is due to its tradition and mixed religions. It consists of vital components like linguistic differences, etiquette, customs, rituals, beliefs, values etc.
Even though India has adopted modernisation in its lifestyle, but they haven’t changed their traditional methods. Hence this sets it apart from other nations making it unique and dynamic. Every one respects different culture and peacefully follow their religion.
What does Indian Culture teach us?
Despite having religious, languages and state differences, Indian culture teaches us to co-exist harmoniously. Indians accept this vast diversification with a broad outlook and look forward to work and stay together happily. People celebrate all festivals irrespective of their different caste with great pomp and reverence.
Indian culture instils positivity to a great extent by motivating to keep hope alive. Through the Epic stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata, it infuses the values of strong will and determination. Ramayana teaches to respect elders and be duty-bound towards parents. Be committed to your duty and be loyal to your spouse.
It stresses to remain grounded no matter how successful a person becomes. Mahabharata depicts an eternal bond of friendship. Stand by what you believe and never giving up attitude are the crux of its teachings.
Jainism gave us five vows or principles which are, Non-Violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Celibacy and Non-attachment. These were the cornerstone of Jainism given by Vardhaman Mahavir the 24th Tirthankara. The most important highlight of his teachings was freedom to women and belief in soul and karma. Gautama Buddha, despite being a king, gave up worldly things and went on the journey to find enlightenment.
After attaining enlightenment, he had given the four noble truths that one must adhere to. It states that everyone suffers and cause of such suffering is greed, desires and ignorance. One can live without such pains if they follow a correct way and eightfold path, which includes, right knowledge, attitude, speech, action, means of livelihood, efforts, awareness and meditation. Despite he being a king gave up worldly things and went on the journey to find enlightenment.
Bhagwat Gita (The holy book of Hindus) inspires one to follow the right conduct and virtue and has three main themes-knowledge, action and love. It guides us to follow the path of devotion and compassion. In terms of fear, it states that a fearless soul has nothing to worry about, that’s why the fear of death is weird, and one should not hold fear.
Parents educate their children to value money and save for future use. They stress on not wasting but putting it to better use. Respect for elders, showing empathy towards others and believing in oneself are the core values that bind the individual and helps in overall development. Greed and selfishness lead to disgrace and unhappy lifestyle.
The system of both joint and nuclear family exists because of liberal attitude. Our culture promotes unity in diversity and wants people to unite against crisis and atrocities. People fight against crime and protest to free India of all evil. Being a democratic country, India heeds to people’s call and suggestions and conveys the message of universal brotherhood.
For instance, on 26th July 2005 when floods hit the Mumbai city, the conditions were awful and unpleasant. During this period, people gathered together and provided food and other necessary stuff to others who were stranded on roads and stuck in places away from their family.
The concept of tolerance is taught to avoid unwanted conflicts. Moreover, it builds the capacity to endure pain and hardships. In-country like India, who is secular, religious tolerance is highly practised and propagated to live in peace with one another. The government respects all religious beliefs, treats everyone equally and instructs to stay calm in every situation.
Since childhood, it is incorporated in children to abstain from worldly and luxurious pleasures. Everyone follows the idea to make best out of what you have as it asserts that happiness is not having a perfect life but accepting one’s flaws and imperfections.
Even though people have little, they still manage to have fun and enjoy to the fullest. The whole family participates together for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Friends and colleagues find happiness in visiting small food joints and mini trips.
To dream and be hopeful is the one thing that India teaches the most. No matter what circumstances or situation arrives, people are always bright and look for a better tomorrow. Not only cities but villages in India are also optimistic and have a positive approach to life. Small shop owners, artisans and farmers are aware of the true meaning of happiness and face all sorts of odds with a smile on the face.
Another interesting advantage Indians gain is in the availability of a variety of food. Because of its enormous diversity, Indian food is famous all over the world. Elders and guests are served first, then the other members of the family enjoy their food. In most families, alcohol is prohibited on the dining table. Before starting any meal prayers are offered by everyone to express gratitude and thank God for his blessings.
Conclusion
India is a country where guests and people greet each other with folded hands because it is believed by all that God resides in every human being. It is known for its perfect melange and recognized for its unique customs and rituals. Not only its culture and tradition but its philosophies and ideologies are greatly honoured and have created a considerable impact on the world.
Secure family system and age-old teachings define India as not only the oldest but a culture which holds meaning and reverence even today. As rightly said by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and the soul of its people.”
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