Agrahayan : A month in the Bengali calendar corresponding to the period between mid-November and mid-December.

Alta : a dye made from lac used by ladies to decorate their feet.

Arati : a ritual performed with lighted lamps and other articles to the accompaniment of the beating of drums and sounding of gongs and rhythmic dance steps.

Atar : indigenous perfume associated with aristocratic Muslim culture.

Batasha : a small button shaped brittle sweet meat made of sugar or molasses.

Bigha : a unit of land measurement.

Chamcha : servile sycophant

Dhanatkanni : a dynasty within a tribe, in this case, a Bagdi, the members of which are destined to donate blood to the deity.

Gamchha : a kind of hand woven indigenous towel.

Ganesha : the god of wealth and success.

Harikath : The wooden block upon which animal sacrifice is done or the wooden frame used for ritual sacrifice before the deity.

Kakima : aunt, fathers younger brother or younger cousins wife.

Katthas : cottah

Lathial : truncheon bearing guards.

Mashima : aunt, mothers sister.

Munish : an attendant.

Natmandir : an annexe to a temple where readings from scriptures and other religious programmes, e.g. performances of religious dramas, recital of devotional songs etc. are held.

Pishi : aunt, father's sister

Prasad : offerings of food and fruits made to the deity.

Click here to send your feedback

* To learn more about the ITRANS script for Bengali, click here.