The Encyclopedia of Indian Culture
A Comprehensive Glossary of India's Philosophies, knowledge systems, Traditions, Arts, Society and Civilization, structured into five foundational volumes.
The Encyclopedia of Indian Culture is our humble attempt to create an online resource that encompasses the most significant terms from Indian civilisation, its philosophies, traditions, arts, knowledge systems, and diverse cultural expressions.
Our vision is to build a comprehensive online reference and a robust knowledge base. It is designed not just for learning, but for truly appreciating the depth of Indian culture and the deep-rooted wisdom within every aspect of our traditions, beliefs, and way of life.
As an evolving resource, The Encyclopedia of Indian Culture is structured into five foundational volumes, each comprising multiple sections. We expand this collection regularly with new terms and ongoing updates.
Links will become active as we publish deep, authentic, and studied content for each entry.
Volume I – Foundations of Indian Civilization
Core Philosophical Concepts
- Adharma
- Advaita
- Ananda
- Antahkarana
- Atman
- Avidya
- Brahman
- Chitta
- Dharma
- Dvaita
- Guna
- Jiva
- Jivanmukta
- Jnana
- Karma
- Kala (Time)
- Kosha
- Lila
- Loka
- Mahat
- Manas
- Maya
- Moksha
- Nirguna
- Paramatman
- Prakriti
- Pramana
- Purusha
- Purushartha
- Rajas
- Rta (Ṛta)
- Saguna
- Samsara
- Sattva
- Sanatana Dharma
- Swadharma
- Tamas
- Triguna
- Vidya
- Viveka
Ethics and Virtues
- Ahimsa
- Aparigraha
- Arjava
- Asteya
- Atithi Devo Bhava
- Bhava
- Brahmacharya (ethical discipline)
- Dana
- Dama
- Daya
- Karuna
- Kshama
- Maitri
- Mangalam
- Nishkama Karma
- Prema
- Samatva
- Santosha
- Satya
- Saucha
- Seva
- Shanti
- Shraddha
- Tapas
- Titiksha
- Tyaga
- Upeksha
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam
- Vairagya
- Vinaya
- Yama
- Niyama
- Yajna (as selfless sacrifice)
- Yoga Kshema
- Lokasangraha
Yoga & Spiritual Practice
- Asana
- Bhajana
- Bhakti
- Bhakti Yoga
- Darshana (philosophical school)
- Darshan (sacred viewing)
- Dhyana
- Guru
- Guru-Shishya Parampara
- Hatha Yoga
- Ishta Devata
- Japa
- Jnana Yoga
- Karma Yoga
- Kirtan
- Kundalini
- Mantra
- Mudra
- Nada
- Om (Aum)
- Prana
- Pranayama
- Pratyahara
- Puja
- Raja Yoga
- Sadhaka
- Sadhana
- Sakshi Bhava
- Samadhi
- Sankalpa
- Shakti
- Shaktipat
- Sharanagati
- Siddhi
- Smarana
- Sphota
- Svadhyaya
- Tantra
- Upasana
- Yajna (ritual offering)
- Yoga
- Yogi
- Yantra
- Mauna
- Turiya
Volume II – Society & Civilization
Family & Social Life
- Acharya
- Ashrama
- Atithi Devo Bhava
- Brahmacharya Ashrama
- Grihastha
- Grihastha Ashrama
- Gurukul
- Guru-Shishya Parampara
- Jyeshtha
- Kutumba
- Matru Devo Bhava
- Pitru Devo Bhava
- Pitru Rina
- Purushartha
- Samskara
- Shishya
- Vanaprastha
- Varna
- Vivaha
- Yajamana
- Dampatya
- Kula
- Gotra
- Sapinda
- Stridharma
- Putra Dharma
- Matrilineal
- Patrilineal
- Joint Family
- Kuladharma
Education & Knowledge Traditions
- Adhyayana
- Adhyapaka
- Acharya
- Anadhyaya
- Gurukula
- Shastra
- Vidya
- Avidya
- Svadhyaya
- Shruti
- Smriti
- Vedanga
- Upaveda
- Darshana
- Parishad
- Shastrartha
- Takshashila
- Nalanda
- Vikramashila
- Vidyarthi
- Agama
- Nigama
- Pathashala
- Tola
- Matha
- Mahavihara
- Brahmavidya
- Atmavidya
- Lokavidya
- Kala Vidya
Governance, Law & Political Civilization
- Rajadharma
- Rajya
- Raja
- Samrat
- Chakravartin
- Arthashastra
- Dandaniti
- Niti
- Rajaniti
- Nyaya
- Sabha
- Samiti
- Gana
- Sangha
- Janapada
- Mahajanapada
- Mandala Theory
- Amatya
- Duta
- Durga
- Kosha
- Danda
- Bala
- Mitra
- Ari
- Sandhi
- Vigraha
- Asana
- Yana
- Samsraya
- Dvaidhibhava
- Saptaanga Rajya
- Gramani
- Panchayat
- Sabha-Parishad
- Swarajya
Economy, Trade & Livelihood
- Artha
- Arthashastra
- Vanijya
- Vyapara
- Varta
- Krishi
- Go-Raksha
- Shreni
- Nigama
- Panya
- Sulka
- Kara
- Bali
- Kosha
- Dhana
- Sampatti
- Rina (Riṇa)
- Dana
- Setu
- Pattanam
- Haat
- Mandi
- Karshaka
- Vanik
- Sarthavaha
- Karmakara
- Shilpin
- Karushilpa
- Aapana
Village Life & Community
- Grama
- Gramani
- Gramadevata
- Gramadevi
- Panchayat
- Sabha
- Samiti
- Chaupal
- Haat
- Kshetra
- Kshetrapala
- Kuladevata
- Kuladevi
- Jalashaya
- Vana
- Gauchar
- Jajmani
- Utsava
- Devrai
- Talab
- Baoli
- Stepwell
- Gosala
- Gramotsava
- Panchayat Raj
Architecture & Built Heritage
- Vastu
- Vastu Shastra
- Shilpa Shastra
- Mandala
- Vastupurusha Mandala
- Nagara
- Dravida
- Vesara
- Stupa
- Chaitya
- Vihara
- Torana
- Gopuram
- Shikhara
- Garbhagriha
- Antarala
- Mandapa
- Prakara
- Amalaka
- Jagati
- Adhisthana
- Vedika
- Sabha Mandapa
- Ardha-Mandapa
- Nandi Mandapa
- Dhvaja-stambha
- Deepa-stambha
- Prasada
- Harmika
- Shala
Temple Traditions & Sacred Space
- Mandir
- Devalaya
- Devata
- Murti
- Vigraha
- Prana Pratishtha
- Puja
- Abhisheka
- Aarti
- Naivedya
- Prasad
- Darshan
- Pradakshina
- Namaskara
- Dhvaja
- Dhvaja-stambha
- Deepa
- Bali
- Utsava Murti
- Temple Seva
- Kshetra
- Tirtha
- Sthala Purana
- Sthala Vriksha
- Vahana
- Dvarapala
- Archaka
- Pujari
- Agama
- Tantra
Pilgrimage, Sacred Geography & Travel
- Tirtha
- Tirthayatra
- Yatra
- Tirthakshetra
- Kshetra
- Kshetrapala
- Char Dham
- Jyotirlinga
- Shakti Peetha
- Sapta Puri
- Kumbha Mela
- Parikrama
- Narmada Parikrama
- Panch Kedar
- Char Dham Yatra
- Kailasa
- Manasarovar
- Prayaga
- Kashi
- Gaya
- Puri
Volume III – Arts & Culture
Classical Dance
- Bharatanatyam
- Kathak
- Kathakali
- Kuchipudi
- Manipuri
- Mohiniyattam
- Odissi
- Sattriya
- Chhau
- Yakshagana
- Abhinaya
- Nritta
- Nritya
- Natya
- Angika Abhinaya
- Vachika Abhinaya
- Aharya Abhinaya
- Sattvika Abhinaya
- Lasya
- Tandava
- Mudra
- Karana
- Adavu
- Aramandi
- Natya Shastra
Music
- Samaveda
- Sangita
- Svara
- Shruti
- Raga
- Ragini
- Tala
- Laya
- Matra
- Avartana
- Alap
- Tan
- Bandish
- Dhrupad
- Dhamar
- Khayal
- Thumri
- Tappa
- Dadra
- Gharana
- Nada
- Nadabrahma
- Veena
- Sitar
- Sarod
- Santoor
- Bansuri
- Shehnai
- Mridangam
- Tabla
Theatre & Performing Arts
- Natya
- Natya Shastra
- Rangamanch
- Ranga
- Nataka
- Rupaka
- Prakarana
- Bhana
- Prahasana
- Vithi
- Anka
- Sutradhara
- Vidushaka
- Nandi
- Purvaranga
- Abhinaya
- Rasa
- Bhava
- Dharmi
- Lokadharmi
- Natyadharmi
- Yavana
- Koothu
- Kutiyattam
- Bhagavata Mela
- Yakshagana
- Tamasha
- Jatra
- Ramlila
- Therukoothu
Sculpture & Iconography
- Shilpa
- Shilpa Shastra
- Murti
- Vigraha
- Pratima
- Iconography
- Prana Pratishtha
- Pramana
- Tala (proportion)
- Mudra
- Asana
- Bhangi
- Tribhangi
- Samabhanga
- Abhanga
- Chaturbhuja
- Trinetra
- Ayudha
- Vahana
- Lanchhana
- Makara
- Dvarapala
- Yaksha
- Yakshi
- Nataraja
- Chola Bronzes
- Gandhara
- Mathura
- Amaravati
- Relief Sculpture
Painting & Visual Arts
- Chitra
- Chitrakala
- Chitra Shastra
- Rasa
- Bhava
- Alankara
- Pattachitra
- Madhubani
- Warli
- Kalamkari
- Phad
- Pichwai
- Miniature Painting
- Mughal Painting
- Rajput Painting
- Pahari Painting
- Deccani Painting
- Tanjore Painting
- Kangra Painting
- Mysore Painting
- Kalighat Painting
- Gond Art
- Bhil Art
- Cheriyal Painting
- Mandala
Textiles, Dress & Craft
- Vastra
- Tantu
- Sari
- Dhoti
- Kurta
- Angavastram
- Dupatta
- Pheta
- Pagdi
- Panchakacham
- Kanjeevaram
- Banarasi
- Chanderi
- Maheshwari
- Paithani
- Patola
- Bandhani
- Ikat
- Kalamkari
- Chikankari
- Kantha
- Phulkari
- Ajrakh
- Block Printing
- Zari
- Zardozi
- Kashida
- Brocade
- Khadi
- Handloom
Cuisine & Food Traditions
- Anna
- Ahara
- Sattvic Food
- Rajasik Food
- Tamasik Food
- Ayurvedic Diet
- Rasa (taste)
- Shad Rasa
- Madhura
- Amla
- Lavana
- Katu
- Tikta
- Kashaya
- Ghee
- Dahi
- Chaas
- Lassi
- Achara
- Papad
- Dal
- Khichdi
- Roti
- Dosa
- Idli
- Sambar
- Rasam
- Thali
- Prasad
- Naivedya
Festivals & Celebrations
- Utsava
- Parva
- Tithi
- Deepavali
- Holi
- Navaratri
- Dussehra
- Durga Puja
- Janmashtami
- Rama Navami
- Maha Shivaratri
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Raksha Bandhan
- Makar Sankranti
- Pongal
- Onam
- Baisakhi
- Vaisakhi
- Vasant Panchami
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Janmashtami
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Kumbha Mela
- Gudi Padwa
- Ugadi
- Vishu
- Bihu
- Lohri
- Chhath Puja
Rituals & Ceremonial Traditions
- Puja
- Aarti
- Abhisheka
- Havan
- Homa
- Yajna
- Sankalpa
- Mantra
- Japa
- Pradakshina
- Namaskara
- Pranam
- Tilaka
- Kumkuma
- Chandana
- Akshata
- Naivedya
- Prasad
- Kalasha
- Dipa
- Dhupa
- Pushpa
- Tirtha
- Achamana
- Arghya
- Avahana
- Visarjana
- Samskara
- Vivaha Samskara
- Antyeshti
Symbols & Cultural Expressions
- Om
- Swastika
- Tilak
- Bindi
- Kalasha
- Deepa
- Lotus
- Shankha (Conch)
- Chakra
- Trishula
- Padma
- Nandi
- Garuda
- Hanuman
- Gada
- Dhvaja
- Dharma Chakra
- Sri Yantra
- Mandala
- Yantra
- Rudraksha
- Tulsi
- Peepal
- Banyan
- Cow
- Elephant
- Peacock
- Naga (Snake)
- Sun
- Moon
Volume IV – Scriptures & Knowledge Systems
Vedas
- Veda
- Rigveda
- Samaveda
- Yajurveda
- Atharvaveda
- Samhita
- Brahmana
- Aranyaka
- Sukta
- Richa
- Mandala
- Sutra
- Shakha
- Shakha Parampara
- Shruti
- Mantra
- Rishi
- Rishika
- Deva
- Yajna
- Agni
- Soma
- Indra
- Varuna
- Ushas
- Vayu
- Surya
- Prithvi
- Aditi
Upanishads
- Upanishad
- Brahmavidya
- Atmavidya
- Brahman
- Atman
- Paramatman
- Moksha
- Vidya
- Avidya
- Maya
- Karma
- Samsara
- Neti Neti
- Tat Tvam Asi
- Aham Brahmasmi
- Prajnanam Brahma
- Ayam Atma Brahma
- Shreyas
- Preyas
- Om
- Prana
- Kosha
- Turiya
- Nididhyasana
- Shravana
- Manana
- Mahavakya
- Yajnavalkya
- Nachiketa
- Maitreyi
Ramayana
- Ramayana
- Valmiki
- Rama
- Sita
- Lakshmana
- Bharata
- Shatrughna
- Hanuman
- Ravana
- Dasharatha
- Kaushalya
- Kaikeyi
- Sumitra
- Janaka
- Vishvamitra
- Vashishtha
- Sugriva
- Vibhishana
- Jatayu
- Vanara
- Ayodhya
- Mithila
- Lanka
- Dharma
- Maryada Purushottama
- Ram Rajya
- Setu
- Sundara Kanda
- Aranya Kanda
- Uttara Kanda
Mahabharata
- Mahabharata
- Vyasa
- Kuru
- Pandava
- Kaurava
- Yudhishthira
- Bhima
- Arjuna
- Nakula
- Sahadeva
- Draupadi
- Krishna
- Kunti
- Gandhari
- Dhritarashtra
- Bhishma
- Drona
- Karna
- Shakuni
- Vidura
- Abhimanyu
- Ghatotkacha
- Ashwatthama
- Duryodhana
- Hastinapura
- Indraprastha
- Kurukshetra
- Dyuta
- Rajasuya
- Ashvamedha
Bhagavad Gita
- Bhagavad Gita
- Gita
- Arjuna Vishada
- Karma Yoga
- Jnana Yoga
- Bhakti Yoga
- Dhyana Yoga
- Svadharma
- Nishkama Karma
- Samatva
- Sthitaprajna
- Atman
- Brahman
- Prakriti
- Purusha
- Triguna
- Sattva
- Rajas
- Tamas
- Kshetra
- Kshetrajna
- Daiva
- Asura
- Yajna
- Tyaga
- Sannyasa
- Vibhuti
- Vishvarupa
- Bhakti
- Moksha
Puranas
- Purana
- Mahapurana
- Upapurana
- Itihasa
- Sarga
- Pratisarga
- Vamsha
- Manvantara
- Vamshanucharita
- Kalpa
- Yuga
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Shiva
- Devi
- Shakti
- Lakshmi
- Saraswati
- Parvati
- Ganesha
- Kartikeya
- Garuda
- Narasimha
- Varaha
- Vamana
- Kurma
- Matsya
- Bhagavata Purana
- Shiva Purana
- Vishnu Purana
Vedanga
- Vedanga
- Shiksha
- Vyakarana
- Chandas
- Nirukta
- Kalpa
- Jyotisha
- Pratishakhya
- Phonetics
- Grammar
- Prosody
- Etymology
- Ritual Science
- Vedic Recitation
- Svara
- Varna
- Akshara
- Pada
- Pratyahara
- Sandhi
- Samasa
- Sutra
- Shrauta Sutra
- Grihya Sutra
- Dharma Sutra
- Sulba Sutra
- Kalpa Sutra
- Nirukta of Yaska
- Pingala
- Panini
Ayurveda
- Ayurveda
- Ayus
- Swasthya
- Swasthavritta
- Roga
- Rogin
- Dosha
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
- Prakriti
- Agni
- Ama
- Dhatu
- Mala
- Ojas
- Tejas
- Prana
- Rasayana
- Vajikarana
- Dinacharya
- Ritucharya
- Ahara
- Pathya
- Apathya
- Charaka Samhita
- Sushruta Samhita
- Ashtanga Hridaya
- Dravyaguna
- Panchakarma
Jyotisha
- Jyotisha
- Vedanga Jyotisha
- Nakshatra
- Rashi
- Graha
- Surya
- Chandra
- Lagna
- Tithi
- Karana
- Yoga
- Vara
- Muhurta
- Kundali
- Janma Kundali
- Dasha
- Antardasha
- Gochar
- Navagraha
- Rahu
- Ketu
- Mangala
- Budha
- Guru
- Shukra
- Shani
- Brihaspati
- Sankranti
- Adhika Masa
- Panchanga
Mathematics
- Ganita
- Ganitashastra
- Sankhya
- Anka
- Shunya
- Decimal System
- Place Value
- Aryabhata
- Brahmagupta
- Bhaskara II
- Pingala
- Sulba Sutra
- Geometry
- Algebra
- Bijaganita
- Lilavati
- Trigonometry
- Jya
- Koti-Jya
- Pythagorean Theorem
- Quadratic Equation
- Negative Numbers
- Fractions
- Combinatorics
- Meru Prastara
- Permutation
- Approximation
- Indeterminate Equation
- Chakravala
Astronomy & Cosmology
- Khagola
- Jyotisha
- Vedanga Jyotisha
- Surya Siddhanta
- Siddhanta
- Aryabhatiya
- Panchasiddhantika
- Graha
- Nakshatra
- Rashi
- Tithi
- Samvatsara
- Yuga
- Kalpa
- Manvantara
- Brahmanda
- Loka
- Meru
- Saptarishi
- Grahanam
- Surya Grahana
- Chandra Grahana
- Ayana
- Uttarayana
- Dakshinayana
- Visuva
- Nākṣatra kāla
- Grahagati
- Chāndramāsa
Metallurgy & Materials Science
- Dhatu
- Lauha
- Ayas
- Tamra
- Kamsya
- Pittala
- Rajata
- Suvarna
- Vajra
- Wootz Steel
- Ukku
- Crucible Steel
- Iron Pillar of Delhi
- Zinc Distillation
- Rasashastra
- Rasayana
- Loha Shastra
- Dhatuvidya
- Karmara
- Lohakara
- Ayaskanta
- Ore - Khanija
- Smelting - Dravana
- Forging - Aghatana
- Casting - Dhalana
- Alloy - Mishra-dhatu
- Bronze - Kamsya
- Brass - Pittala
- Goldsmithing - Swarnakara-kala
- Metal Craft - Dhatu-kala
Grammar & Linguistics
- Vyakarana
- Panini
- Ashtadhyayi
- Mahabhashya
- Patanjali
- Varttika
- Katyayana
- Pratyahara
- Sandhi
- Samasa
- Dhatu
- Pratyaya
- Upasarga
- Nipata
- Pada
- Vakya
- Shabda
- Artha
- Sphota
- Varna
- Akshara
- Svara
- Vyanjana
- Karaka
- Linga
- Vachana
- Purusha
- Lakara
- Nirukta
- Yaska
Volume IV – Scriptures & Knowledge Systems
Panchamahabhutas & Elements
- Pancha Mahabhutas
- Prithvi (Earth)
- Apas / Jala (Water)
- Agni / Tejas (Fire)
- Vayu (Air)
- Akasha (Space/Ether)
- Tanmatra
- Shabda
- Sparsha
- Rupa
- Rasa
- Gandha
- Bhuta
- Mahabhuta
- Panchikarana
- Prakriti
- Purusha
- Sattva
- Rajas
- Tamas
Rivers & Sacred Waters
- Ganga
- Yamuna
- Saraswati
- Sindhu
- Narmada
- Godavari
- Krishna
- Kaveri
- Tapi / Tapti
- Mahanadi
- Sarayu
- Shipra
- Godavari Pushkaram
- Narmada Parikrama
- Triveni Sangam
- Prayaga
- Tirtha
- Tirtha Snana
- Pushkara
- Kumbha Mela
- Ganga Sagar
- Gomukh
- Gangotri
- Yamunotri
- Saptanadi
- Sapta Sindhu
Sacred Trees & Plants
- Ashvattha / Peepal
- Vata / Banyan
- Udumbara
- Neem
- Tulsi
- Bilva
- Ashoka
- Amalaki
- Kadamba
- Palasha
- Shami
- Sandalwood / Chandan
- Lotus / Padma
- Durva
- Kusha
- Darbha
- Bodhi Tree
- Kalpavriksha
- Parijata
- Tulsi Vivaha
Sacred Animals & Living Beings
- Cow / Gau
- Nandi
- Bull / Vrishabha
- Elephant / Gaja
- Horse / Ashva
- Lion / Simha
- Tiger / Vyaghra
- Peacock / Mayura
- Swan / Hamsa
- Sarus Crane
- Garuda
- Naga
- Serpent / Sarpa
- Monkey / Vanara
- Hanuman
- Mouse / Mushika
- Owl / Uluka
- Swan / Hamsa
- Tortoise / Kurma
- Fish / Matsya
- Makara
- Go-Seva
- Ahimsa
- Jiva
Mountains & Sacred Landscapes
- Himalaya
- Himavat
- Mount Meru
- Kailasa
- Vindhya
- Aravalli
- Sahyadri
- Western Ghats
- Eastern Ghats
- Nilgiri
- Nanda Devi
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Amarnath
- Giri
- Parvata
- Shikhara
- Tirtha
- Tapovana
- Devabhumi
- Kshetra
- Kailash Manasarovar
Yugas
- Yuga
- Satya Yuga
- Treta Yuga
- Dvapara Yuga
- Kali Yuga
- Chaturyuga / Mahayuga
- Yuga Dharma
- Satya
- Treta
- Dvapara
- Kali
- Yuga Sandhya
- Yuga Sandhyamsha
- Manvantara
- Kalpa
- Mahakalpa
- Dharma Pada
- Yuga Cycle
- Avatara
- Kalki
Time Cycles & Sacred Time
- Kala
- Maha Kala
- Samaya
- Kshana
- Nimesha
- Muhurat / Muhurta
- Tithi
- Paksha
- Shukla Paksha
- Krishna Paksha
- Masa
- Adhika Masa
- Ritu
- Ritu Chakra
- Ayana
- Uttarayana
- Dakshinayana
- Samvatsara
- Yuga
- Manvantara
- Kalpa
- Brahma Day
- Brahma Night
- Brahma Year
- Brahma Lifespan
- Pralaya
- Mahapralaya
- Srishti
- Sthiti
- Laya
- Sandhya
- Sandhyamsha
Cosmology & Universe
- Brahmanda
- Loka
- Lokas
- Bhu Loka
- Bhuvar Loka
- Svar / Svarga Loka
- Mahar Loka
- Jana Loka
- Tapa Loka
- Satya Loka
- Patala
- Naraka
- Meru
- Jambudvipa
- Bharata Varsha
- Sapta Dvipa
- Sapta Samudra
- Srishti
- Sthiti
- Samhara
- Pralaya
- Kalpa
- Manvantara
- Yuga
- Triguna
- Prakriti
- Purusha
- Maya
- Rta
- Hiranyagarbha
- Virat Purusha
- Narayana
- Brahma
- Vishnu
- Shiva
- Shakti
- Devi
- Surya
- Chandra
- Navagraha
- Nakshatra
- Graha
- Cosmic Order