Animals

1. କୁକୁର

   kukura

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common. Go to hospital at once if bitten

2. ବିଲେଇ

   bilei

   Cat

   Usage

   For the resident guesthouse cat, or to say you are allergic

3. ପକ୍ଷୀ

   pakṣī

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — useful for the migratory flocks on Chilika Lake

4. ମାଛ

   māchha

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for the animal and the dish; Chilika and the coast are rich in seafood

5. ଘୋଡ଼ା

   ghoṛā

   Horse

   Usage

   For carriages and riding

6. ଗାଈ

   gāī

   Cow

   Usage

   Sacred in Hinduism. Never shoo or strike a cow even when it blocks the road, and be especially careful in pilgrimage towns such as Puri

7. ବଳଦ

   baḷada

   Ox / Bull

   Usage

   Pulls carts and ploughs the fields; sometimes decorated at festivals

8. ମଇଁଷି

   maĩṣi

   Buffalo

   Usage

   Kept for milk — most Indian milk is buffalo milk. Common in paddies and ponds

9. ଘୁଷୁରି

   ghuṣuri

   Pig

   Usage

   Useful when stating dietary restrictions

10. କୁକୁଡ଼ା

    kukuṛā

    Chicken

    Usage

    For ordering chicken; used for both the bird and the meat

11. ବତକ

    bataka

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen on ponds and canals, and farmed along the coast

12. ଛେଳି

    chheḷi

    Goat

    Usage

    Wanders freely even in towns. Indian "mutton" is usually goat

13. ମେଣ୍ଢା

    meṇḍhā

    Sheep

    Usage

    Grazed in the drier interior; flocks can block the road

14. ହାତୀ

    hātī

    Elephant

    Usage

    Found in the Chandaka and Similipal forests. Keep your distance and stay in the vehicle

15. ମାଙ୍କଡ଼

    māṅkaṛa

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and ruins. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front

16. ବାଘ

    bāgha

    Tiger

    Usage

    Found in Similipal National Park — the word to use when booking a safari

17. ସାପ

    sāpa

    Snake

    Usage

    Possible in villages and paddies; go to hospital at once if bitten

18. ନାଗ

    nāga

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous, and also an object of Naga worship. Keep away and call for help

19. କୁମ୍ଭୀର

    kumbhīra

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Bhitarkanika is famous for saltwater crocodiles. Never swim in the mangrove channels

20. କଇଁଛ

    kaĩchha

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Gahirmatha and the Rushikulya mouth host mass Olive Ridley nesting; access is restricted in season

21. ବେଙ୍ଗ

    beṅga

    Frog

    Usage

    Calls loudly through the monsoon — handy for explaining a noisy night

22. ଏଣ୍ଡୁଅ

    eṇḍua

    Lizard / Gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls. Harmless and eats insects

23. ମୂଷା

    mūṣā

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms

24. ବାଦୁଡ଼ି

    bāduṛi

    Bat

    Usage

    Flies around big trees at dusk. Do not handle them

25. ମଶା

    maśā

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue and malaria. Show it when asking for a net or coil

26. ଅସରପା

    asarapā

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Report it at reception when asking for a clean or a room change

27. ପିମ୍ପୁଡ଼ି

    pimpuṛi

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on sweets left out — keep them sealed

28. ମହୁମାଛି

    mahumāchhi

    Bee

    Usage

    Literally "honey fly". Mention it in advance if you are allergic

29. ମାଛି

    māchhi

    Fly

    Usage

    Gathers on street food — use it when asking for a cover

30. ବୁଢ଼ୀଆଣୀ

    buṛhīāṇī

    Spider

    Usage

    Often in room corners; mostly harmless, but you can ask for a clean

31. ପ୍ରଜାପତି

    prajāpati

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Common in gardens and fields after the rains

32. ମୟୂର

    mayūra

    Peacock

    Usage

    India's national bird, and a recurring motif in temple carving

33. କାଉ

    kāu

    Crow

    Usage

    Everywhere in every town — it will take food left outside

34. ବିଛା

    bichhā

    Scorpion

    Usage

    Hides under stones and firewood. Check inside your shoes before putting them on outdoors

35. ଗଧ

    gadha

    Donkey

    Usage

    Used to carry building materials. Aimed at a person it means "fool", so keep it to the animal

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