Across
- 6. A famous, contested diamond now in the British Crown Jewels.
- 7. World's third-highest peak, sacred and located in Sikkim.
- 12. Buddhist/Jain spiritual goal: liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
- 13. India's major "Festival of Lights," celebrating good over evil.
- 14. A classical Dravidian language and people of South India.
- 15. Nobel-winning Bengali poet who wrote India's national anthem.
- 19. The traditional warrior and ruler class in the varna system.
- 20. A tied cloth, from Hindi, now a global fashion accessory.
Down
- 1. Any of the four traditional social classes in ancient India.
- 2. Aromatic spiced rice dish with meat or vegetables, cooked via steaming.
- 3. A historical and poetic term for India or the subcontinent.
- 4. Sacred mountain of Lord Shiva and a monumental rock-cut temple.
- 5. A traditional Indian spinning wheel, famously promoted by Mahatma Gandhi as a symbol of self-reliance.
- 8. A respectful Indian greeting with palms pressed together.
- 9. Ancient Buddhist cave complex famed for its exquisite murals and sculptures.
- 10. The earthly incarnation of a Hindu deity, like Vishnu.
- 11. Ancient Indian board game, the strategic precursor to modern chess.
- 16. A famed ancient Indian emperor who promoted Buddhist ethics.
- 17. A fragrant native Indian spice, the "Queen of Spices."
- 18. A historic warrior community from northern and western India.