International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Prevalence of Superstition and Myths in India is like a curse of new India. Superstitions in India are considered widespread social problems. Superstition is mainly prevalent among illiterates, uneducated and scientifically less advanced people and societies. Belief in charms, supernatural power, ghosts, evil spirits and spiritual healing etc. have their deep roots in superstitions. People often learn these beliefs from their culture and family. Belief and superstitions together are indivisible part of human society. Each society has its own traditional knowledge stored in their culture in the form of belief, custom and rituals. These beliefs are not based on human reason or scientific knowledge. This paper is an attempt to examine the major causes of superstitions, to find out the levels and categories of superstition prevailing in rural areas of Malda district. Malda district of West Bengal has been selected as the study areas. The study is based on both primary and secondary sources of data. The result of the study shows that 26.88 percent of the respondents are highly superstitious.  In this paper, superstition has been categorized into three parts i.e. common, death and health related superstitious behavior. The researcher suggested that Ministry of Rural Developments and Panchyati Raj should conduct Anti-Superstitions campaigns in rural areas to help peoples develop rational and practical mindsets in rural areas of Malda district in West Bengal.

Keywords: Superstition, Health, Death, Myths, Blind-Beliefs, Black Magic,