Navratri 2026: Why Do People Hang Lemon and Green Chillies Outside Their Homes to Ward Off the Evil Eye?

Imagine walking through an Indian market during Navratri. Homes, shops, and offices are decorated with flowers, colourful lights, and festive torans. But there is one small thing you may notice hanging outside many entrances: a lemon with seven green chillies. Have you ever wondered why people follow this tradition, especially during festivals like Shardiya Navratri? The answer lies in Indian folk beliefs, religious traditions, and stories that have been passed down through generations.

Why Is Shardiya Navratri Considered Special?

Shardiya Navratri is one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India. During these nine days, devotees worship the nine forms of Maa Durga and pray for happiness, courage, peace, and prosperity. People decorate their homes, light diyas, perform aarti, sing bhajans, and spend time in prayer.

For many families, Navratri is also a time to clean their homes, welcome positive thoughts, and begin new activities with faith. Some people follow traditional practices that they believe protect their homes from negative influences. One of the most popular examples is hanging lemon and green chillies at the main entrance. But why these particular items?

The Tradition of Hanging Lemon and Green Chillies

If you have visited a local shop, street market, or small business in India, you have probably seen a lemon and seven green chillies tied together and hung outside the entrance. This practice is common in several parts of the country and is often followed on regular days as well as during festivals.

According to popular Hindu folk beliefs, the lemon-and-chilli combination is associated with protection from the evil eye, also known as buri nazar. Some people believe it helps keep away negativity and protects their business, family, and good fortune.

For many families, the practice is a familiar part of their culture. They may continue it because their parents and grandparents followed the same tradition. But there is another interesting explanation found in Indian folklore.

The Folk Story of Goddess Lakshmi and Alakshmi

One traditional story connects the lemon-and-chilli custom with Goddess Lakshmi and Alakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi is widely worshipped as the deity associated with wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. In some folk traditions, Alakshmi is described as her opposite and is associated with misfortune, poverty, and discord.

According to a popular version of the story, Alakshmi is attracted to certain tastes, particularly sour and spicy foods. People therefore hang lemon and chillies outside their homes, believing that Alakshmi may be satisfied by these offerings at the entrance rather than entering the house.

This story is part of folk belief and is not understood in exactly the same way by every Hindu community. Still, it helps explain why lemon and chillies have become a familiar symbol in Indian homes and businesses. And the story is not the only reason people associate this simple combination with protection.

How Is Lemon and Chilli Connected to the Evil Eye?

The evil eye is a belief found in many cultures around the world, including India. In simple terms, it refers to the idea that jealousy or excessive admiration can bring unwanted effects to a person, family, business, or possession.

In some Indian traditions, people believe that lemon and green chillies can help ward off buri nazar. The lemon's sour taste and the chillies' spicy flavour are symbolically associated with the ability to repel negative influences.

That is why some families hang this combination near the main door, where visitors enter the house. Others place it outside shops, vehicles, or workplaces. For those who follow the custom, it can offer a sense of comfort and a connection to family traditions. However, there is no strong scientific evidence that lemon and chillies can prevent supernatural harm or remove negative energy.

Why Do People Hang Seven Green Chillies?

You may have noticed that the traditional combination often includes one lemon and seven green chillies. The number seven appears in many cultural and religious customs, but the meaning of this particular combination can vary from region to region and family to family.

In many households, people follow the practice simply because it is the method they learned from their elders. The lemon and chillies are tied together with a thread and hung at the entrance, sometimes alongside other decorative items.

There is no single explanation accepted by every community for why seven chillies are used. The custom is mainly a traditional practice, and its meaning is shaped by local stories and beliefs. But why does this custom become especially noticeable during Navratri?

Why Is This Tradition Followed During Navratri?

During Navratri, many devotees focus on prayer, cleanliness, and creating a peaceful atmosphere at home. They decorate their entrances with flowers, rangoli, mango leaves, and torans. Some families also hang lemon and green chillies because they believe the practice offers additional spiritual protection.

The festival is associated with Maa Durga's victory over evil and the triumph of good over negative forces. For devotees, following familiar customs during these nine days can strengthen their faith and help them feel connected to their traditions.

However, hanging lemon and chillies is not a compulsory ritual for Navratri. Families may follow different customs depending on their region, beliefs, and personal preferences. The central focus for many devotees remains worshipping Maa Durga with sincerity and celebrating the festival with family and community.

Does Lemon and Chilli Actually Remove Negative Energy?

This is a question worth understanding clearly. While many people sincerely believe in the protective power of lemon and chillies, there is no reliable scientific evidence that hanging them outside a home removes supernatural negative energy or prevents the evil eye.

The practice can still hold cultural and emotional value. Traditions often connect people with their families, communities, and childhood memories. For someone who grew up seeing lemon and chillies outside their home, continuing the practice may feel reassuring and meaningful.

At the same time, maintaining a clean home, communicating peacefully with family members, taking practical steps to protect your property, and looking after your physical and emotional well-being are useful ways to create a safer and more positive environment. Faith and practical action can exist together without treating a traditional belief as a scientific fact.

What Should You Remember This Navratri?

Shardiya Navratri is a time of devotion, hope, and new beginnings. The tradition of hanging lemon and green chillies reflects how Indian folk beliefs have become part of everyday life. From the story of Alakshmi to the belief in protection from buri nazar, the custom carries meanings that have been passed down through generations.

Whether you choose to follow this tradition or not, Navratri can be an opportunity to welcome positivity into your life, spend time with loved ones, and pray according to your beliefs. You can decorate your home, light a diya safely, and seek Maa Durga's blessings for peace and well-being.

After all, the deeper message of Navratri is not just about following rituals—it is also about building courage, choosing kindness, and bringing more harmony into our daily lives.