Millet Names in Hindi: Bajra, Jowar, Kangni, Kutki & More
Sources: NIN Hyderabad, ICMR, USDA FoodData Central
If you are searching for millet names in Hindi, this is the quick reference. In Hindi, millets as a group are called मोटे अनाज (mote anaj) — literally “coarse grains” — and the Government of India now promotes them as श्री अन्न (Shree Anna). Below is each millet with its Hindi name in Devanagari and English, verified against our own millet names in Indian languages glossary.
Millet names in Hindi — full chart
| English | Hindi (हिन्दी) | Also known as |
|---|---|---|
| Pearl millet | बाजरा (Bajra) | Bajri (Marathi), Sajje (Kannada) |
| Sorghum | ज्वार (Jowar) | Jola, Cholam |
| Finger millet | रागी / मंडुआ (Ragi / Mandua) | Nachni, Kezhvaragu |
| Foxtail millet | कंगनी (Kangni) | Kakum, Navane, Thinai |
| Little millet | कुटकी (Kutki) | Sava, Shavan, Saame, Samai |
| Barnyard millet | सांवा / झंगोरा (Sanwa / Jhangora) | Samak, Vrat ke chawal, Bhagar |
| Kodo millet | कोदो / कोदरा (Kodo / Kodra) | Kodon, Harka, Varagu |
| Proso millet | चेना / बर्री (Cheena / Barri) | Barri, Panivaragu |
| Browntop millet | — (no widely used Hindi name) | Korale (Kannada), Andu Korralu (Telugu) |
Browntop millet is a rare South-Indian grain and does not have a widely standardised Hindi name — in Hindi-speaking regions it is usually referred to by the generic “millet / मोटा अनाज”. See our guides to browntop in Telugu and browntop in Kannada — and see browntop in Hindi (hari kangni) for its verified regional names.
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Shop all millets →The general Hindi words for millets
The three big millets — bajra (pearl), jowar (sorghum) and ragi (finger) — are household names across North and West India. The smaller “Siridhanya” millets are less commonly known by Hindi names, which is why searches like “little millet in Hindi” (kutki) and “foxtail millet Hindi name” (kangni) are so common. Collectively you will see them called मोटे अनाज (mote anaj) or श्री अन्न (Shree Anna).
Millets used in vrat (fasting)
Two of these are especially associated with Hindu fasting: barnyard millet — सांवा / समक (samak), often sold as “vrat ke chawal” — and little millet. They are popular during Navratri because they are grain-like but not cereals. (A dedicated fasting guide is on the way.)
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मिलेट्स को हिन्दी में मोटे अनाज या श्री अन्न कहते हैं। मुख्य नाम: बाजरा (pearl), ज्वार (sorghum), रागी / मंडुआ (finger), कंगनी (foxtail), कुटकी (little), सांवा / झंगोरा (barnyard), कोदो / कोदरा (kodo)। सभी मिलेट्स पोषक और ग्लूटेन-मुक्त होते हैं।
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Shop all millets →Frequently asked questions
What is millet called in Hindi?
Millets as a group are called mote anaj (मोटे अनाज, “coarse grains”) in Hindi, and are officially promoted as Shree Anna (श्री अन्न). Individual millets have their own names — bajra, jowar, ragi, kangni, kutki and so on.
What is foxtail millet called in Hindi?
Foxtail millet is called Kangni (कंगनी) in Hindi (also Kakum). It is Navane in Kannada, Thinai in Tamil and Korralu in Telugu.
What is little millet called in Hindi?
Little millet is called Kutki (कुटकी) in Hindi, sometimes Sava or Shavan. It is Saame in Kannada and Samai in Tamil.
What is barnyard millet called in Hindi?
Barnyard millet is Sanwa or Jhangora (सांवा / झंगोरा) in Hindi, and is widely sold as samak or “vrat ke chawal” for fasting.
What is the meaning of millets in Hindi?
Millets are called मोटे अनाज (mote anaj, “coarse grains”) in Hindi, and the Government of India promotes them as श्री अन्न (Shree Anna). Each millet also has its own Hindi name — bajra, jowar, ragi, kangni, kutki, sanwa and kodo.
What is kodo millet called in Hindi?
Kodo millet is कोदो / कोदरा (Kodo / Kodra) in Hindi, also Kodon. It is Harka in Kannada and Varagu in Tamil.
What is pearl millet called in Hindi?
Pearl millet is बाजरा (Bajra) in Hindi. It is Bajri in Marathi and Sajje in Kannada.
Sources & References
- Orggu millet-names glossary (verified regional names across 8 Indian languages)
- Indian Food Composition Tables (2017) — National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad / ICMR
