Nama·bharat
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food and the body

Why are onion and garlic avoided in some Hindu households?

Some Hindus avoid onion and garlic, especially during fasts and in temple cooking. The tradition treats them as foods that stir up the body and mind, not as anything harmful.

What the tradition says

Onion and garlic are often placed among the rajasic and tamasic foods, the kinds thought to raise heat and restlessness or to dull the mind. Because of this they are seen as a distraction from a calm, devotional state. Many who follow a sattvic path avoid them, and they are commonly left out of temple cooking and of food prepared during fasts and festivals.

Where it comes from

The association of these foods with the lower qualities of mind appears in Ayurvedic and yogic thinking and has been carried down through certain communities more strongly than others. It has never been a single rule for all Hindus. How strictly it is kept depends a great deal on region, community, and family.

In everyday life

Many families simply cook without onion and garlic for festivals and for food offered at the temple, and keep them in everyday meals. Restaurants often label such dishes as suitable for those who avoid them. Abroad, people usually follow whatever their family has always done.

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How we write. We describe what the tradition holds, drawing on its texts and customs in general terms. We do not give religious, medical, or dietary advice, and we note plainly where there is no scientific evidence. Reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.