There are certain things that Hindus never do in their life
and one among them is wearing footwear in kitchen. This was strictly followed
by Hindus even in restaurants, hotels and community kitchen. But today we see
many Hindus wearing footwear in community kitchens. So, why Hindus do not wear footwear
in kitchen?
Food is god in Hinduism. Food is provided by Goddess
Annapurna. Even Shiva is helpless without food. This is the reason why he
stands with a begging bowl in Kashi before Goddess Annapurna.
Agni (fire) is always present in kitchen. Agni was worshipped
in Hinduism from the time of the Vedas.
Food (Annam) and fire (Agni) is holy in Hinduism and they are
together found in kitchen.
Thus kitchen is a sacred place in Hindu culture.
This is the religious reason why Hindus do not wear footwear
in kitchen.
But the most important reason for not wearing footwear is
that it carries several harmful bacteria and viruses which can contaminate food
and cause food poisoning.
Therefore people always enter homes after washing their
legs. Even today many traditional homes keep water outside for people to wash
their legs and hands before entering the house.
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