As in many parts of the world, salt in India is used as a weapon against envy, malice, and invisible forces

Illustration/Devdutt Pattanaik

In India, salt is not just a mineral. It is a magical substance that not only enhances the taste of food, but also protects the body from ‘nazar’ or evil eye. 

Indians speak of two types of salt: one from the mountains and the other from the sea. Mountain salt comes from the Himalayas, which is an ancient seabed uplifted millions of years ago. The most famous pink salt comes from Khewra of Pakistan. This is the “sendha namak” used in fasting rituals and considered most pure as it comes from the Himalayas and is uncontaminated by sea. 

India today is trying to boost its own self-sufficiency for rock salt at the salt mines of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. Sea salt is made by evaporating sea water in the salt pans........

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