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Glossary
The words used across this site, briefly defined.
Kitchen & food
| Atta | Finely milled wholewheat flour for roti |
| Besan | Gram (chickpea) flour |
| Dal | Both the lentil and the dish made from it — more |
| Tadka | Spices bloomed in hot fat; also tarka, chaunk, popu |
| Masala | A spice mixture — not a single spice |
| Ghee | Clarified butter |
| Sabzi | Vegetable dish |
| Achar | Pickle — more |
| Chaat | Savoury snack food — more |
| Mithai | Sweets — more |
| Thali | Steel plate; also a meal served on one |
Clothing
| Pallu | The decorated end of a saree, worn over the shoulder |
| Dupatta | Long scarf worn with a salwar kameez — more |
| Churidar | Tight trousers gathering at the ankle |
| Zari | Metallic thread woven into cloth |
| Jhumka | Bell-shaped drop earring |
| Mangalsutra | Marriage necklace — more |
Weddings
| Haldi | Turmeric ceremony |
| Mehndi | Henna, and the event around it |
| Sangeet | The music and dance night |
| Baraat | The groom's procession |
| Mandap | The wedding canopy — more |
| Pheras | Circling the sacred fire |
| Vidaai | The bride's farewell |
| Shagun | An auspicious gift, usually cash |
| Muhurat | An auspicious time window |
Family & home
| Chacha / Mama | Father's younger brother / mother's brother — the full map |
| Puja | Worship, at home or in a temple |
| Prasad | Food offered in worship, then eaten |
| Diya | Small oil lamp |
| Toran | Auspicious door hanging |
| Rangoli / kolam | Doorstep floor pattern |
| Nazar | The evil eye — more |
| Vrat | A religious fast — more |
| Namaste | Greeting with palms together |
Last updated: 2026-08-11
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