Learn about different nazar (evil eye) practices in India!
Travelling in India feels like reading a storybook- there is colour, madness, magic, and some centuries-old customs that are still alive today.
But among its street life, temples, and spices, you may also catch sight of things like lemon and green chillies hanging outside the door, or a fierce-looking doll in a building.
What exactly is that?
It’s all part of India’s system of warding off the evil eye, known here as nazar (pronounced nah-zar), and it is taken quite seriously here. Too much praise, admiration, or just attention can bring misfortune, illness, or bad vibes, and to protect against that, Indians have centuries of techniques.
There are many unique ways Indians protect themselves from nazar. Let’s deep dive into some everyday customs found across the country, followed by regional practices that offer deeper cultural insights.
Key Takeaways
Travelling through India, you’ll notice small but striking details that reveal how people protect themselves from nazar, the evil eye
From lemons and chillies strung outside a shop to a grandmother circling salt around her grandchild, these customs are part of everyday life
Regional traditions add even more color, whether it’s fierce rooftop dolls in Tamil Nadu, mirror embroidery in Rajasthan, or chalk designs in Bengal
Each practice reflects centuries of belief, love, and protection, offering travelers a fascinating glimpse into India’s cultural heart
Learn different ways Indians ward off nazar and the deeper significance behind these practices
Common Practices You’ll Spot Across India
There are some fundamental ways in which everyday Indians seek to ensure well-being, reflecting a shared understanding of good fortune and unseen influences that transcend geographical boundaries. Watch for them, as they provide an intriguing window on the shared mind of the country.
Nimbu-Mirchi (Lemon and Green chillies)
One of the most conspicuous things that you will see in India is a string of seven green chillies, one lemon, and a small charcoal, often tied together and hung prominently. Look out for them dangling from car bumpers, above shop entrances, or even on new buildings. It is believed that this combination acts as a sponge, drawing in all the negative energy and ill intentions. Once it has “served its purpose”, it’s discarded- often by crushing it under a vehicle or simply throwing it away.
Apart from the spiritual, there is also a practical aspect to this practice; it’s been suggested that in ancient times, the strong, pungent smells of lemon and chillies may have served as a natural pesticide. The citric acid in lemons and the capsaicin in chillies are known to deter various bugs, such as flies and mosquitoes.
Kaala Teeka (The Black Dot)
If you notice a tiny, smudged black dot on the cheeks or forehead of an adorable Indian infant, it’s not an accidental mark. This is kaala teeka, a deliberate mark using kajal (kohl). The intention behind it.. It makes the child appear “a little less perfect”.
Too much unadulterated praise or admiration, though well-intentioned, can draw negative energy or jealousy, exposing the child to the ill effects of nazar. The black dot acts as a slight imperfection, subtly diverting the sometimes unintended evil eye and ensuring the child’s well-being. Rooted in ancient traditions, it’s a heartwarming display of paternal love and protection.
Nazar Utaarna (Salt Circling)
Salt isn’t just for seasoning your delicious curries; it is also used for its purifying properties across many cultures. If a person is feeling unwell, very tired, or has been the centre of attention, usually a ritual called nazar utarna (keeping the evil eye away) is carried out in many Indian households. In this ritual, a handful of salt is moved around the person’s head a few times, often with soft chanting or prayers.
It is then discarded into running water, the fire, or a secluded area, symbolically carrying away the bad luck and cleansing the aura. This simple yet effective ritual mirrors the firmly rooted belief in the cleansing power of everyday elements.
Thu Thu Karna (Pretend spitting)
After lavishing praise on a baby’s cuteness, a bride’s beauty, or celebrating someone’s success, you might hear people making a soft, hushed “thu thu” sound, sometimes accompanied by a gesture of spitting into the air. This isn’t actual spitting, but a symbolic act of pretend spitting.
This nullifies any potential negative effects that excessive praise might inadvertently bring. This one seems odd to the uninitiated, but it is incredibly common.
Regional Rites: Unique ways of different parts of India
Beyond the common practices you will spot nationwide, India’s incredibly diverse cultures and traditions mean that each region has developed its fascinating methods for warding off the evil eye. These localised rituals are deeply interwoven with folk beliefs and regional history.
Drishti Bommai (Scary Rooftop Dolls) – Tamil Nadu
Drishti means sight, and Bommai means doll; also called Drishti Gombe and Drishti Bomma, these are brightly painted dolls with wide, fierce eyes and intimidating faces. You might spot these while journeying south to the state of Tamil Nadu.
Placed on rooftops, building entrances, or at the forefront of fields, these “sight dolls” are strategically positioned to capture and scare away any malicious gaze or bad spirit before they can enter a home or harm a crop. It acts like a visual shield that says – ‘ Look at me, not what I am protecting’.
Alpona (Designs with White Chalk Powder)
In the artistic and culturally rich state of West Bengal, at some of the thresholds of homes, you will often find beautiful and intricate white designs referred to as alpona. They are traditionally drawn with rice paste or white chalk powder, and are a part of festive decorations, to invoke blessings and good fortune.
To protect the home from nazar, a subtle addition is usually made: a small, thoughtful black mark or a smudge of charcoal inside the alpona. This tiny imperfection, similar to the Kaala Teeka, is intended to draw the eye away from the beautiful design.
Mirrors in Clothing and Camel Decor- Rajasthan
In the desert state of Rajasthan, you will notice tiny, glinting mirrors stitched into traditional clothing, especially on embroidered garments. Camels, too, are decorated with mirror motifs at times of celebration.
These little mirrors are not mere ornaments or decorations. They are believed to act as reflective shields, immediately sending the evil eye back to its source.
Your Indian Journey: A Glimpse Into Belief and Culture
So, if you witness a black-faced doll on a truck, a string of lemons and chillies on a shop, or someone performing a quick “thu thu”, on your trip to India, remember that these aren’t just random acts. They are powerful local ways to stay safe from nazar.
These practices, though not based on the Western scientific approach, are manifestations of cultural perceptions of energy, luck, and human connections that have evolved over centuries.
