29. The Hindu God, Vishnu, has "contributed" two words to the English language. One of them is "avatar" meaning incarnation, referring to his ten incarnations on the Earth to save mankind. What is the other?
From Quiz Words of Indian Origin
Answer:
juggernaut
The word, "juggernaut", meaning a massive, unstoppable force, comes from one of the names with Vishnu is worshipped, Jagannath, especially in the eastern city of Puri. Here, an annual chariot ceremony sees the idol of Jagannath being placed in a massive wooden chariot and dragged around the streets of the city by devotees. Some devotees used to throw themselves under this chariot, believing that death this way would help their souls attain eternal bliss in Vaikunta, Vishnu's abode. However, this practice is less popular now and the devotees are content with a piece of wood from the chariot after it is dismantled. (I must thank funtrivia player, vpatnaik, for providing me the correct information on the event which occurs in his home state.;))