5 Funny Bengali Superstitions: Is It Time For Us To Part Ways?

Funny Bengali Superstitions: India is a land of superstitions. Everyone who has read Nissim Ezekiel's poem 'Night of the Scorpion' knows how Indians attach superstitions to everything. Superstitions are just practices which often cannot pass the test of logic.

Why most Indians believe in superstitions is it helps them stay hopeful. We all know, our grades aren't going to improve if we have curd before writing an exam, it just gives us the strength to perform well. Luckily enough, my parents never taught me to be superstitious. They always ask me to think rationally and act reasonably.

However, I have seen many believe in some hilarious things. Here are five funny superstitions many Bengali households are often seen following. Let's have a look at them.

1. Don't you dare show one eye to a Bengali

Let me explain in detail. If an alien object enters your eye and you blink or scratch to take it out, better do it in isolation. You are likely to get indulged in a fight with your Bengali friend if they see your one eye because that's what is believed. So they will ask you to blink both your eyes and as that cancels the negative effect of your 'one eye'. 

2. Superstitions around lizards

Be careful when you are speaking in the presence of lizards because if they make a clicking sound, whatever you are saying can come true. Secondly, if a lizard falls on your head, you will become a king or a queen one day. Only if it was that easy to be a Queen! (*Sighs*)  

3. Love eggs? Forget them when you have exams.

You have an egg before your exams, you get an egg in the exam. It's that simple. Yes, this is as bizarre as it sounds. Even the glance of an egg before an exam is inauspicious. If you open the refrigerator, be careful not to look at the eggs else you will fail no matter how well you are prepared.

4. No kool before Saraswati Puja

Kool or Indian jujube is considered to be Goddess Saraswati's favourite fruit. You cannot have it before they are offered to her. Doing so brings upon the ill-humour of the Goddess. Bengalis have kool after Goddess Saraswati has had her share on Saraswati Puja and blessed the fruit.

5. Not jachhi. It's aashchhi

Jachhi means "I am going" and aashchhi translates to "I will be back". When you leave home, you are supposed to say aashchhi. I am not sure of the  exact reason behind this practice but I believe "I will be back" sounds more positive and makes us hopeful of the person's return. In all probability, we Bengalis get negative vibes from the word jachhi, hence we don't use it.

India is a land of superstitions

These superstitions are funny, we laugh at these practices, but there is a need to eradicate them. It is not that Bengali's are the only ones believing in superstitions they are present in different forms across cultures. But I believe, we should also do our bit in educating people around us and help them unlearn things that can be potentially harmful.

The views expressed are the author's own. Funny Bengali Superstitions