Villagers in Madhya Pradesh leave houses unpainted due to religious beliefs
Residents of Kachaliya village avoid painting their homes and wearing black clothing to honour their faith in Baba Kaleshwar.
Residents of Kachaliya village in the Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh have not painted their houses for nearly 700 years, according to a report by Bhaskar English. The village, located 2.5 km from the Alot-Jaora Highway, contains more than 300 modern, permanent houses that remain without painted walls.
The tradition is linked to the villagers' faith in Baba Kaleshwar. Villagers believe that applying paint to their homes could result in trouble for their families. This practice extends to government-built homes, including approximately 100 houses constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
Jagdish Puri Goswami, a representative of the village sarpanch, stated that the tradition is followed in both privately owned and government-built houses. Villager Badrilal Dhakad added that residents also avoid drinking filtered water due to these long-standing beliefs.
The community also observes restrictions on clothing. Villager Bapupuri Goswami said that wearing black shoes and socks is considered unlucky. While some changes are visible among the younger generation, many families continue to follow these customs.
Local folklore suggests the practice began after Baba Kaleshwar was disrespected. Villagers believe the deity fulfils their wishes, which encourages them to maintain these traditions. One villager noted that while the government provides housing, it cannot alter the village's centuries-old customs.
Some residents claim that breaking these rules led to misfortunes, such as a child drowning or a family facing financial losses, though no scientific or official proof exists for these claims.