Vegetarianism is an ageless and long enduring dietary practice that carries extremely high status among Hindu people, probably because of its associations with strict brahmin practice; even people who are nonvegetarian themselves will commonly think of a vegetarian diet as “purer.”
It may have become more prominent and mainstream under certain monarchs over the past few millennia but has certainly taken shape as a voluntary practice with philosophical undertones that define Hinduism.
Strict vegetarians eat no flesh or eggs, but milk and milk products are always eaten and are considered pure and health-giving, probably because they come from the cow.
Those people who keep the strictest diets will also often
refrain from onions and garlic, which are considered to excite the passions.
This religious commitment to vegetarianism by a certain part
of the population, and the general status given to “pure” vegetarian food, are
both responsible for the great variety of vegetarian cooking found in Indian
culture.
Despite the higher status given to a vegetarian diet, most
modern Hindus are not vegetarian—a recent poll of urban Hindus found that only
about 25 per cent were pure vegetarian, although the number may be higher in
villages, which tend to be more traditional.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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