India is a very colorful country with vibrant traditions and its wonders. Cricket on the graveyard, cows blocking traffic, and many other things you will discover from our article. Let's go!

1. Life hack from the residents of India

In India, it is very common to see bicycles on the streets with locks on their wheels. This is a common practice worldwide that protects your transportation from theft. However, there is one "but" – not only the wheel but also shoes are often secured to the lock. Owners are probably concerned that some barefoot offender might snatch their shoes. But one question remains open: why take off your shoes right on the street? Perhaps there is some superstition or tradition associated with this? We haven't found the answer.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

2. Well of The Death

Well of The Death (Mauth Ka Kuan) is one of the most thrilling spectacles in India. This attraction is a massive structure made of metal and old planks resembling a well. Participants on their cars and motorcycles "start" at the bottom of the well in a counterclockwise direction, gradually gaining speed and ascending higher on the wall. A miscalculation in speed or a sudden brake, and the stunt performer instantly faces a fall. Most participants manage not only to navigate the wooden walls but also to perform a couple of tricks. These attractions are often encountered at local markets and fairs.

@mohiemen/reddit.com 

3. Spiritual Journeys

Indians hold great respect and reverence for their parents. Some sons place them in special baskets suspended from a thick pole and carry them on their own backs to pilgrimage sites. In doing so, they express their gratitude to their parents for the life, upbringing, and love they provided. 

@[deleted]/reddit.com

4. Homemade Umbrella

In India, some people are not overly concerned when it rains. Even if they don't have an umbrella on hand, they will improvise one using readily available materials, as demonstrated by this man in the photo: a piece of styrofoam and a sturdy branch. It turned out both original and practical.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

5. Cricket as a Way of Life

Indians are avid cricket enthusiasts. They play it in all possible places, not just on streets or designated areas. Often, players can be seen even in graveyards, where they gather to unwind and play their favorite sport, expressing their passion for cricket as a way of life. 

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

6. Wearing Mustaches is Respectable

Here, men adore wearing mustaches. It's not just stylish and trendy; mustaches symbolize masculinity and power. If a man wants to add authority to his image, he grows a mustache and styles it so that the tips are lifted upward. 

@vikashkalyana/reddit.com

7. Hindu Traditional Attire  

Over 1.1 billion Indians are classified as Hindus. They can always be recognized in the crowd by their style of dressing. Men wear long skirts and hip wraps, adorning their heads with large turbans. As for women, they often wear saris, complemented by shoulder shawls and scarves on top.

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

8. Dog's Poster

In Indian cities, from time to time, you can come across billboards featuring images of dogs of various breeds. Often, these images are used by representatives of different political parties for their political purposes. Some of them use this method to mock their competitors while promoting their own interests. Regular people also commission such advertisements to celebrate their beloved pets' birthdays.

@captabs/reddit.com 

9. Eating with Hands

In India, it is the common practice to eat with hands, both at home and in restaurants. They believe that this way, a person establishes a connection with the food. It is noted that this process promotes not only physical satiation but also spiritual communion with the food.

@gavade/reddit.com

10. Head Wobbling in many directions

In the significant majority of countries worldwide, people nod their heads when they want to confirm or refute something. However, Indians do this throughout the entire conversation. Yet, it is not always easy to discern whether they are approving of what is said or not, or if they are expressing uncertainty about your question in this manner. Therefore, it is helpful to clarify what exactly they mean at a given moment. 

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

11. Dogs Bring Sweaters

In many European countries, pet clothing is sold, and owners happily buy and dress their pets. In India, this luxury is mainly afforded by wealthier individuals, but poorer people willingly share their clothing with animals. For example, this dog confidently strolls the city streets in its owner's sweater, attracting the attention of tourists.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

12. Bills in India feature Braille markings

The Indian government has assisted blind individuals by introducing Braille markings on the national currency for convenience. The black lines on the side of a banknote represent Braille notations indicating the denomination, designed to facilitate reading for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. This helps them count money during transactions and safeguards them against dishonest practices.

@RageAdi/reddit.com

13. Coping with Hot Days

The heat often becomes intense for the country's residents. Therefore, they have to be inventive. People freeze water in large freezers, then take a piece of the formed ice outdoors, sit around it, and cool off in this way.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

14. Bromance

If people see men holding hands or hugging each other on the street, they assume that they belong to the LGBTQIA+ community. However, in India, this is not the case. Here, boys demonstrate strong friendship in this way. So, refrain from making premature conclusions.

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

15. Thumb UP

You might think that Coca-Cola is conquering the Indian markets, but that's not entirely accurate. Although this beverage can be found on store shelves, it doesn't enjoy such widespread popularity in this region. In Indian culture, the Thumbs Up drink is much more popular. It has a taste similar to Coca-Cola but is more effervescent and fizzier, making it extremely popular among Indians.

@spike55151/reddit.com

16. Cows Blocking Road

In India, the cow is considered a sacred being. These animals are not only revered but also feared. Across the country, there are a total of 7 million cows, with 283 thousand of them being stray. They move freely, occasionally blocking traffic. However, they cannot be touched to avoid misfortune. Therefore, everyone patiently waits for the cows to move away from the road at their own will.

@simplemantr/reddit.com

17. Jeera

In Indian cafes, according to tradition, after your meal, they will serve you cumin seeds (jeera). You should take them in your palm and consume them immediately. This helps improve digestion and gives a feeling of fullness. Additionally, according to tourists, it is very tasty.

18. Strange Café Names

It's interesting to ponder what the owner had in mind when coming up with this original name for their cafe. Most likely, they misunderstood the translation, although it turned out amusing. In reality, there are quite a few such English names with incorrect interpretations in Indian cities.

@daschundtof/reddit.com

19. Wedding Traditions

Residents prefer luxurious weddings, investing almost all of their savings in this festive event. During the celebrations, the bride may change several dresses. It's also interesting that weddings here are primarily contractual events. Indians approach family creation in a practical and business-like manner. Divorces, on the other hand, are extremely rare.

20. Mostly men walk the streets

In India, women mainly stay at home and avoid going out unless it is necessary. Approximately 90% of the individuals seen on the streets are men going about their business or simply taking a stroll. 

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

21. Chalk drawings

In front of each local resident's house, you can observe symbols drawn with chalk. According to local beliefs, this brings prosperity and well-being to the home. Stepping or treading on this drawing is considered disrespectful and may provoke displeasure from the homeowners.

@14 Wacky Things About Indian Culture (Funny & Weird)/Drew Binsky/YouTube.com

22. Charcoal Ironing

Many Indians at home use a charcoal-powered iron. In this way, they adhere to the traditions of their ancestors and save electricity. A charcoal iron can work for up to three hours. During this time, homeowners try to iron as many items as possible.

@DesiLivingInLA/reddit.com

23. Festival of Color

The Holi Festival of Colors and Merriment is celebrated annually in India at the beginning of March. It is a spring festival symbolizing the rebirth of life and the triumph of good over evil. It lasts for three days, starting after the first full moon of spring. The celebration begins with a massive bonfire at midnight. The effigy of the demoness Holika is burned in the fire, and then the ashes are collected, believed to bring good luck. Throughout the three days of Holi, Indians sing folk songs, revel, sprinkle passersby with colored powder, and drench them with water. Everyone, regardless of gender or age, can get covered in colors on this day.

@GayInIndia/reddit.com 

24. W vs V

It's hard to believe, but Indians find it challenging to pronounce the letter 'V.' Sometimes, they practice this skill for years to achieve some proficiency. So, if your name starts with the letter V, for example, Vivian, be prepared for them to say it as Wiwian or paraphrase it in their own way.

25. Holy Rats

In India, rats are considered sacred animals. In Hinduism, the rat is a companion of the god of wisdom, Ganesha, and in the Rajasthan province, there is even a temple called Karni Mata. Thousands of sacred rats reside in this temple, and the floor is heated during winter to prevent the rodents from getting cold. Brahmins in the temple's kitchen prepare special food for these rodents every day.

@12 Strange Things You Only See in India/BRIGHT SIDE/YouTube.com

26. Bull Surfing

Most people are familiar with bull runs and bullfighting in Spain, but India has taken it a step further. Bull surfing is a water sport conducted in Kerala after the harvest season. Two bulls charge down a muddy paddy field, and a person hangs onto a board or the bull's tail. By the end of the exhilarating and challenging run, both the bulls and the person are thoroughly soaked. It's a truly unusual spectacle.

@Risky Bull Surfing- The Most Thrilling Indian Tradition/alex anto/YouTube.com

27. Strange wedding rituals

The grand weddings are just the beginning of interesting rituals associated with Indian marriage. As society evolves, marriages take various forms to adapt to changes. One of the strangest ideas involves marrying a child to a dog when their first upper tooth appears to ward off possession by a demon. An eighteen-year-old girl named Mangli Munda married a stray dog to lift the curse. The ritual, it is said, nullifies the curse, and then the girl is free to marry the man of her dreams without worrying about divorcing the dog.

@WtfIsWrongWidU/reddit.com

28. At a wedding in India

Another peculiarity at Indian weddings is that the venue where the celebration takes place must have several televisions so that people can watch, for example, a cricket championship. Weddings are a great celebration, but it's no reason to miss out on favorite competitions.

@digiden/reddit.com 

29. Twin Town

We all know that twins are not a common phenomenon. Six out of every thousand births are a high rate. In India, there is a town called Kodinhi, or in other words, the "Twin Town." There, 350 pairs of twins reside. This figure amounts to an astonishing 42 sets of twins per one thousand births. At such an incredible rate, every family in this secluded village has at least one set of twins. This is a record that exists only in India.

@somebody_0777/reddit.com

30. Village of snakes

Shetpal, Maharashtra, is a village known for its snake worship. Every home in this small town has a designated space on the rafters of their houses for cobras to rest. Despite this alarming practice that has continued for many centuries, there have been no reports of snakebites in the village. The residents venerate the god Shiva, who is symbolized by snakes. They do not fear snakes and willingly share their entire town, including their homes, with them.  

@Shetphal Village In Maharashtra Snakes|ShetphalVillage Land Of Snakes|The Snake Village of India/RapidLeaks/YouTube.com

31. Lunch with the dead

The new Lucky restaurant in Ahmedabad is built on a centuries-old Muslim cemetery. This popular café has its tables placed around graves, which are said to belong to a 16th-century Sufi saint. Despite the eerie atmosphere, the restaurant remains lively. The owner of the bustling café claims that the graves are his lucky talismans.

@New Lucky Restaurant Ahmedabad | Kabrastan wala Restaurant/Wandering Dad/YouTube.com

32. Be careful! Signs! 

Such ambiguous signs are found throughout the country. Most likely, it's meant as a warning about accident-prone areas. However, the author faced certain difficulties in translating into English. So, tourists need to occasionally guess what exactly was intended to be conveyed by such warnings.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

33. Floating Architecture

The small historical village of Lepakshi is home to many ancient relics and architectural wonders. One of the most famous wonders is the Lepakshi Temple. The temple is a magnificent structure with seventy columns. One of the columns is slightly different—it hangs down without any support. This strange phenomenon attracts visitors to see the hanging pillar. People come from everywhere to pass objects underneath it, believing it brings prosperity.

@Fuckoff555/reddit.com

34. A Monument to a Motorcycle

India is a country with a diverse spectrum of religious rituals and festivals, encompassing numerous shrines and temples dedicated to various deities. Among them, there is a monument to a motorcycle that belonged to Om Singh Rathore, which has become the subject of an unusual story. The man tragically lost his life after colliding with a tree on this motorcycle. Following the accident, the police took the motorcycle to the station. However, the next day, it mysteriously reappeared at the scene of the incident. Law enforcement officers took it back to the station, emptied the fuel tank, and chained it. Yet, this did not prevent its return. Eventually, the motorcycle was relocated to its current spot, where travelers began offering prayers to it. People believe that the spirit of Om Banna protects travelers.

@om banna ki kahani | hindi | bullet wala mandir || bullet temple ki kahani | om banna temple/MG Raghavam/YouTube.com

35. Тemple for Man's Best Friend

In Channapatna, Karnataka, you can find a unique temple erected in honor of the dog god. According to the villagers, the dog was one of the first animals to live with humans. They believe that by worshiping dogs, nothing bad will happen in the village. People also believe that the dog has a darker, more aggressive side. This is the side that protects the village. There are two idols representing the two faces of the dog. They even perform Pujas, or prayer rituals, about the animal.

@Amazing temple of India where dog worship by People/News Express/YouTube.com

36. Inspired by Domino’s

Adomino Pizza often surprises people due to its striking resemblance to Domino's. However, upon closer inspection of the fine print at the bottom of the box, it reveals that it is "Inspired by Domino’s." Since it is not manufactured by Domino’s, it can be considered a knock-off brand that doesn't manage to deceive anyone.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

37. The Cleanest Village

Mawlynnong, located in the state of Meghalaya, is renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings and has earned the popular moniker "God's Own Garden." This village has gained international recognition as the cleanest village in Asia, and all its residents work together to maintain this status. The community actively promotes ecotourism through collaborative efforts. Mawlynnong has also achieved a 100% literacy rate, and the majority of its residents are proficient in English.

@Gilgit_Hindusta/reddit.com

38. The golden T-Shirt

In Pune, a resident named Fuge hired fifteen jewelers to create his golden shirt, valued at around $17,000. The jewelers worked for two weeks with sixteen-hour workdays to complete the shirt. It also featured matching cuffs and rings made from the remaining gold. Fuge admitted that the shirt was tailored specifically to attract women. He claimed to know that he wasn't a very attractive man, but every woman was dazzled by the shirt.

@Iam_alwaysRIGHT/reddit.com

39. Temple of the Visa God

As widely known, India boasts a multitude of revered deities, each associated with distinct blessings such as prosperity, power, or protection. However, if you desire to obtain a US visa, the Balaji Temple's deity is believed to fulfill such wishes. Waste no time and visit this intriguing temple located in Hyderabad. This specific temple has even been featured on the Indian reality show Mano ya mano. People from various places come to worship Lord Venkateshwara at this visa temple before proceeding to attend their visa interviews.

@sakumar/reddit.com

40. The impressive skills of the waiter

Indian waiters can impress with their high level of skill. In some cafes, they are capable of carrying up to 20 plates with orders arranged one on top of the other. Waiters skillfully distribute everything, avoiding scratches or breakage of any dishes.

@shrayas/reddit.com 

41. Blood Rain

Idukki is renowned for a uniquely distinct phenomenon known as "Red Rain." This location experiences the extraordinary occurrence of red rain, and it is believed to be a result of the wrath of angry gods, punishing sinners according to Hindu mythology. The locals living there have various perspectives on this unusual event.

@GregMeger/reddit.com

42. Mysterious Lake

Anticipating water or perhaps fossils of aquatic animals when an ice lake melts is common, but what is witnessed here is genuinely chilling. Situated in the inhospitable region of the great Himalayas, Roopkund Lake is adorned with more than 500 human skeletons, earning it the monikers "Mystery Lake" or "Skeleton Lake." The floating fossils in this lake are thought to belong to individuals from the 12th to 15th centuries. The locals in this area attribute this phenomenon to the wrath of the local deity, Latu.

@[deleted]/reddit.com

43. Gaylord

Another interesting phenomenon is the ice cream with the intriguing name "Gaylord." It is sold by men on the streets and has gained tremendous popularity. If the ice cream is indeed delicious, perhaps the name doesn't matter that much.

@rpr421/reddit.com 

44. Ear cleaner

Have you ever heard of an Ear cleaner? In India, you can encounter people with this unusual profession on the streets. They clean ears for anyone interested, but not with ordinary cotton swabs. Ear cleaners use steel needles wrapped in cotton material. This entire procedure takes place right on the street and continues to be in demand. 

@21 Things Only in India Tourists Can't Understand/BRIGHT SIDE/YouTube.com

45. Water slide tester

Another unusual Indian profession is the Water slide tester. These individuals assess the safety of water slides in water parks and resorts. They also evaluate how enjoyable it is to slide down them. Interestingly, these people constantly travel to different cities across the country, moving from one resort to another, where they conduct their testing.

@INDIA के 5 सबसे अनोखे वाटर स्लाइड | Amazing Water Park's In India/Fun Fact Tech/YouTube.com

46. Public toilets have no doors

You will be surprised when you see public toilets in India. Their main feature is the absence of any doors. At best, there might be a curtain. It's better not to talk about the condition of these toilets - it's completely unsanitary.

@Difference bet^ Indian public toilet vs american public toilets MUST WATCH/Ankit Kushwaha/YouTube.com

47. Duck business

In India, there is a vast number of duck farms, and duck meat is one of the sought-after products in the market. Therefore, farmers actively breed these domestic birds. So, don't be surprised if you see flocks of ducks being herded on lakes by residents in boats.

@Things You Can Only See In India 🇮🇳/Scoop/YouTube.com

48. Phan Pyut

Regarding Indian cuisine, potatoes are considered one of the key ingredients used in many dishes. One of the most popular is Phan Pyut. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is prepared with partially rotten potatoes, and this dish is considered a national favorite.

@Difference bet^ Indian public toilet vs american public toilets MUST WATCH/Ankit Kushwaha/YouTube.com

49. Fire Haircut

Local men love to create fiery haircuts. In the country, there are special barbershops where they use fire for haircuts. It can be a regular candle or a special flammable powder that removes unwanted hair and shapes the desired haircut.

@USpolitics2017/reddit.com

50. Preparation of Tea in the Golden Temple

In the Indian Temple of Amritsar, the largest free kitchen in the world is located, called Langar. Here, thousands of meals are prepared daily for the poor in enormous pots. As for tea, it is brewed in a cauldron that impresses with its size. But there will definitely be enough drink for all the temple's guests. 

@sverdrupian/reddit.com