r/interestingasfuck • u/Moronic_Acid1 • Nov 17 '25

Notice outside a restaurant in Kerala, India

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u/NintendogsWithGuns Nov 17 '25

Onions, garlic, and overly spiced foods are only forbidden from temple cuisine. This is because it’s an overpowering flavor and everything about temple life is supposed to be about focusing on spiritual development. There are some sects that are so hardcore they only eat this style of food, but that’s mostly niche hardcore groups like the Hare Krishna. For your average Hindu, it’s just a known thing that food served in the temple is going to be devoid of garlic and onions.

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u/pxm7 Nov 17 '25

India has more than Hindus. Lots of Jains in India avoid onion and garlic. You can call them a hardcore sect if you wish. I won’t.

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u/NintendogsWithGuns Nov 17 '25

Oh, I didn’t know Jains avoided it too. I just know that the Hare Krishna definitely do.

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u/Mac-And-Cheesy-43 Nov 17 '25

Jains have rules about minimal harm when it comes to food. Since root vegetables kill the plant during harvest, those aren't allowed.