Ahimsa अहिंसा uh-HIM-sah Non-violence or non-injury, an ethical principle in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions. concept · Sanskrit
Basant बसंत bah-SUNT A spring festival celebrated in various parts of India and Pakistan. festival · Sanskrit
Bhakti भक्ति BHUCK-tee Loving devotion to a personal god — a major strand of Hindu religious practice. concept · Sanskrit
Bharat भारत BHAH-rut Indigenous Sanskrit name for India, used officially alongside "India". geography · Sanskrit
Bindi बिंदी BIN-dee Decorative mark or jewel worn on the forehead, traditionally by Hindu women. general · Sanskrit
Brahmastra ब्रह्मास्त्र BRAH-mas-tra A mythical weapon in Hindu mythology, said to be very powerful. concept · Sanskrit
Churan चूर्ण CHOO-rahn A powdered mixture of spices and herbs used in Indian cuisine. food · Sanskrit
Dharma धर्म DHAR-mah Moral and natural law — duty, righteousness, and the right way to live. concept · Sanskrit
Dhoti धोती DHOH-tee Traditional Indian men's garment — a long unstitched cloth wrapped around the waist and legs. clothing · Sanskrit
Diwali दिवाली dee-VAH-lee Hindu festival of lights celebrated across India and the South Asian diaspora. festival · Sanskrit
Dussehra दशहरा duh-SHEH-rah Hindu festival marking Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana. festival · Sanskrit
Ghee घी GHEE Clarified butter — Indian cooking fat with a high smoke point and nutty flavour. food · Sanskrit
Guru गुरु GOO-roo Spiritual teacher, mentor or master in Indian religious tradition. concept · Sanskrit
Holi होली HOH-lee Hindu spring festival of colours marking the triumph of good over evil. festival · Sanskrit
Karma कर्म KAR-mah Action and its moral consequence — a foundational concept in Indian religions. concept · Sanskrit
Kartikeya कार्तिकेय kaar-ti-KEY-ya Hindu god of war and victory, son of Shiva and Parvati. religion · Sanskrit
Laddoo लड्डू LUD-doo A round, sweet Indian confection made from flour, sugar, and ghee. food · Sanskrit
Ma durga মা দুর্গা MAA DOOR-gaa A major Hindu goddess, symbolizing power and protection. religion · Sanskrit
Mahabharata महाभारत ma-ha-BHA-ra-ta An ancient Indian epic about the Kurukshetra War and the fates of the Kaurava and Pandava princes. arts · Sanskrit
Mantra मंत्र MUN-trah Sacred sound, syllable or phrase repeated to focus the mind or invoke power. concept · Sanskrit
Namaste नमस्ते nuh-muh-STAY Traditional Indian greeting, performed with palms joined at the chest and a slight bow. concept · Sanskrit
Navratri नवरात्रि nuv-RAH-tree Nine-night Hindu festival honouring the goddess Durga in her nine forms. festival · Sanskrit
Nirvana निर्वाण neer-VAH-nah Liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth in Buddhist and Hindu thought. concept · Sanskrit
Obhiman অভিমান OH-BHEE-mahn A feeling of hurt or disappointment arising when affection, care, or expectations from a loved one are not met. concept · Sanskrit
Pathshala पाठशाला PAHT-shah-lah A traditional school or place of learning in India. general · Sanskrit
Pujari पुजारी poo-JAH-ree A Hindu temple priest responsible for performing rituals. religion · Sanskrit
Raksha Bandhan रक्षा बंधन RUCK-shah BUN-dun Hindu festival where sisters tie a protective thread (rakhi) on their brothers' wrists. festival · Sanskrit
Ramayana रामायण rah-MAH-yuh-nuh An ancient Indian epic narrating the life of Prince Rama. literature · Sanskrit
Ritu ऋतु RIH-too A season in the Indian subcontinent, traditionally six in number. concept · Sanskrit
Saawan सावन SAH-wun The fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar, associated with monsoon and festivals. concept · Sanskrit
Sari साड़ी SAH-ree Draped Indian garment for women, a single length of cloth wrapped around the body. clothing · Sanskrit
Sharad शरद SHAH-rud The autumn season in India, typically from mid-September to mid-November. general · Sanskrit
Shiva शिव SHEE-vah A major deity in Hinduism, known as the destroyer and transformer. religion · Sanskrit
Tara तारा TAH-rah A goddess in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, symbolizing compassion and protection. religion · Sanskrit
Teeka टीका TEE-ka A mark or symbol on the forehead, often used in religious or cultural contexts. concept · Sanskrit
Yoga योग YOH-gah Indian system of physical, mental and spiritual disciplines aimed at union of self with the divine. concept · Sanskrit