Ever had Jain food and wondered, "Where's the onion and garlic?" Well, there's a deep reason behind it - and it's not just about taste.

Jains follow a religion called Jainism, which is all about non-violence (ahimsa). They try to avoid harming any living being — not just animals, but also tiny insects and even plants. That's why Jains are strict vegetarians.

Onions and garlic grow underground, and when you pull them out, the whole plant dies. Plus, it disturbs a lot of tiny life forms in the soil. Jains avoid them because harvesting these veggies goes against their belief in non-violence.

There's also a spiritual reason. Onions and garlic are considered "tamasic" foods,  meaning they're believed to increase stress, anger, or desire. Jains believe eating these can disturb the mind and emotions, making it harder to stay peaceful and focused during prayer or meditation.

Some Jains also avoid these foods for health reasons, saying they can cause bad breath or stomach issues.