: Many households follow a strict "kitchen-first" rule: no one enters the cooking area without bathing first. This physical cleansing is often paired with a spiritual one, such as a quick puja (prayer) or the lighting of an agarbatti (incense stick) in a small corner shrine.
Additionally, the rise of nuclear families and the increasing influence of Western culture have led to changes in family values and lifestyles. However, despite these changes, the importance of family and tradition remains a core part of Indian culture.
