Although India has many religions, around 80% of the population follows Hinduism. For this reason, I have the most exposure to it and it has the greatest impact on my daily life. As most of the families and people I have lived with are Hindu, many of them do not eat or serve meat. Those that do eat meat may eat chicken or mutton, but they do not eat beef. In the Hindu religion, cows are seen as sacred symbols of life and are therefore revered and protected. In fact, cows are not the only holy animals in Hinduism. Monkeys are seen as a form of the god Hanuman, snakes a form of the god Shiva, and elephants a form of the god Ganesh.
Living with Hindu families also means that there is a great respect for elders. Elders are often greeted by reaching to touch their toes and joint families are common. Often after marriage, a wife will move into the husband's family household and the family will care for the parents as they age.
Although it can sometimes be difficult to adjust to different cultural norms, foods, and clothing, there are also benefits to living in a culture and environment so different than your own. For example, you get to celebrate new holidays and festivals, of which India has many! Around October, Hindus celebrate the holiday of Diwali to honour the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Diwali is celebrated with colorful lights and candles and is a time for families to come together to perform pooja, or worship, give gifts, and eat lots of sweets! Another favorite is the holiday of Holi! Holi celerates the coming of spring and is a day to spread colorful powder and happiness! My personal favorite celebration is Makar Sanskari in mid-January.
