Neelakshi

Glossary

A

Antariya - a lower body garment from ancient India. It is a long white or colored cloth that passes through the legs, tucked at the back and covers the legs loosely. Its flowy part falls in pleats in front of the legs.

Angrakha - an ethnic top that has an asymmetric opening in the chest area, knotted or secured by a thread, and typically reaches to the kness.

Apsara - heavenly nymphs and dancers

Ashtmi puja - observed on the eight day of Hindu lunar calendar, a prayer performed on that day.

B

Bhrata - Elder brother. Also used to address unrelated older males.

C

Chaitra Shukla Pratipada - It marks the beginning of the new year of the Vikram Samvat also known as the Vedic calendar or the lunisolar Hindu calendar. The day is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri, a Hindu festival devoted to Maa Durga.

Chaturanga - an old Indian two-player board game, predecessor of the chess.

Chenda - a cylindrical percussion instrument.

Choli - a blouse like upper body garment.

Churidar - tight trousers typically worn with a kurta.

D

Diya - an earthen lamp

Dholak - a type of percussion instrument.

Dupatta - a long scarf like piece of cloth

Dusshera - a Hindu festival celebrated during the month of October, marking the triumph of Lord Rama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, over the demon Ravana.

Dundubhi - an ancient hide instrument, usually played during auspicious ceremonies and victory celebrations.

G

Gandharva - a class of celestial men who are skilled musicians and dancers.

Ghagra - a long full skirt often embellished with embroidery, mirrors, and in old times, with gold, precious and semi- precious stones.

Ghanta - large metal bells.

Ghatam - an ancient Indian percussion instrument. It is a clay pot with narrow mouth.

Guruji - Teacher (ji is a suffix added to pay respect to the person addressed)

K

Kartik month - a month in the Hindu calendar that typically overlaps October and November.

Katar - an Indian dagger.

Khartal - cymbals

Kheer - a sweet made by boiling milk, added with sugar/jaggery and rice. (Rice can be substituted with other ingredients)

Kridapatram - an ancient Indian game of cards.

Kurta - a long loose garment like a shirt without a collar.

M

Maa - Mother

Maharaja - King

Maharani - Head queen

Maa Durga - a major deity of Hinduism. She is worshipped as a principal aspect of Mother Goddess.

Mridangam - am Indian percussion instrument of ancient origin.

N

Neelkanth Mahadev/ Shiva - the god of destruction and transformation, and together with Brahma and Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism.

Noopura - an anklet with bells, an ornament for the feet.

P

Pitaji - Father

Prasad - a devotional offering made to God, which mostly consist of food, which after offering is distributed among the devotees.

Puja - ceremonial worship of Hindu Gods and includes rituals and offerings.

Purohit - a priest or a family priest.

R

Rajkumar - Prince

Rajkumari - Princess

Rajmata - Queen mother

Raj-vaidya - a royal physician

Rangoli -
decorative designs made on floor during hindu festivals which usually consists bright colours. Sometimes it is also made of flower petals.

Rupajiva - a class of prostitutes

S

Shardiya Navratri - a Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Durga observed during the month of September and October.

Shashthi Tithi - sixth day of the fourteen- day phase of the moon.

Shastra Puja - a ceremony in which weapons are worshipped. A way of honoring the weapons which provides protection against the enemies.

Sringa - an ancient Indian musical instrument. It is a type of horn wind instrument.

Y

Yajna - a ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with the chants of mantras. In it, various offerings are made into the sacred fire.

Yuvrani - queen to be, usually the princess married to the heir to the throne.

U

Uttariya - a loose piece of upper body clothing. It is a single piece of cloth used to drape the upper half of the body.