Festivals of India Diwali Explained: History, Meaning, Traditions and Celebrations A complete, family-friendly guide to the Festival of Lights, including its many religious stories, the five days of Diwali, regional customs, food, children's activities and two interactive games. Rows of glowing Diwali lamps around a rangoli A warm decorative illustration showing five clay lamps, golden stars and a colourful circular rangoli pattern. In this guide What Diwali means Why Diwali is celebrated History and origins The five days Traditions and symbols Interactive Diwali quiz Regional celebrations Hindu, Jain and Sikh meanings Diwali around the world Food and sweets Diwali word game Explaining Diwali ...
Indian culture • Bathroom customs • Travel guide Why Do Indians Wash Their Bottoms with Water Instead of Toilet Paper? Imagine going to the toilet, wiping yourself with dry paper and walking away perfectly satisfied. Now imagine somebody telling you that you haven't really cleaned yourself. For many people in India, washing with water after a bowel movement is so normal that relying entirely on dry toilet paper can seem rather strange. But why? Is it about religion, cleanliness, tradition or simply the way Indian bathrooms are designed? And what exactly are you supposed to do when you enter an Indian toilet and find a little jug of water instead of a roll of paper? The short answer: Many Indians use water to clean the anal area after defecation because it is an established personal hygiene custom. Water can rinse away faecal residue, and Indian bathrooms often provide a small water jug, a tap or a handheld bidet sprayer for the purpose. Traditionally, the left...
