In Indian folk practice, what pair of items is often hung at entrances to ward off bad luck or the evil eye?

In Indian folk practice, lemons and chillies are often hung at entrances to ward off bad luck or the evil eye.

A string may contain one lemon with several green chillies, and it is commonly placed above doors, on vehicles or near shops. The practice is known by regional names and is associated with protection from nazar, the harmful gaze or influence of envy.

Explanations for the custom vary. Some traditional accounts give the ingredients symbolic or ritual power, while practical interpretations note that lemons and chillies were familiar household objects and could be replaced easily. The superstition is not a single formal religious rule and differs across communities.

The practice is sometimes confused with decoration or with a general Indian symbol. Its defining feature is the paired use of lemon and chilli as a protective hanging.