Traditional Dining customs in India

 Some houses in India still follow the custom of  taking meals, sitting crossed legs on a wooden plank placed on the floor and the diner usually wears a silk pants called ‘Dhoti’ and bear top.

The meals were eaten in leaves from trees joined together to form a round shaped plate known as ‘Patal’ or banana leaves placed on the ground.

Before taking the meal the diner took water in his hand and sprinkle it all around the served food on the Patal. This was done to keep the crawling worms away from the food as the water formed a barrier for the crawling insects. The diner, than took out a small morsel in his hand and kept it outside the water barrier to keep the worms engaged outside.

Small quantity of water was than taken by the diner in his hand and he drank it to wet his throat before eating the meal.

Silk produces static electricity by friction, The silk ‘Dhoti’ worn by the diner, kept the environment germ free and the wooden plank served as an earthing.

The lady of the house usually wore a wet sari and serves the food, this was to prevent any germs coming towards the wetness of the food to redirect towards the sari of the lady.  The lady would then have to take a shower before she sat down to have her meal.

Sitting with your legs crossed helps digestion.

Written by — Indrakumar Advani