Mother of India's biggest political family, daughter of the first Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi
100
Goddess of Kanchi
Kamakshi
100
This popular sweet is made of cashew and often has silver foil on the top
Kaju katli
100
Can be used as an anti microbial/ anti septic agent, or to treat stomach ailments, but is more commonly used with kumkum in pooja
Turmeric/haldi
200
Ayi
Marathi
200
Famous for Guddi, and for being mother to one of Bollywood's biggest actors
Jaya Bacchan
200
Name meaning fish-like eyes, goddess of Madurai
Meenakshi
200
Famously from Punjab, this pudding-like sweet is made from a vegetable and is orange in color
Gajar ka halwa
200
Often put in chai, this root helps with throat problems and sometimes even chemotherapy treatments.
Ginger
300
Amma (amme)
Telugu/Kannada/Malayali
300
Frequently portrayed in movies and serials, this woman is not Akbar's biological mother -- but she acts like it.
Mahamanga
300
Known for sculpting her son and breathing life into him
Parvati
300
This sweet is featured in the Ramayan, when Dasaratha's three wives partake of it in order to have children
Payasam/kheer
300
Mix this with water to help with digestive problems -- or just use it in cooking.
Jeera
400
Mata
Sanskrit
400
This woman was not actually a mother, despite her name. Famous for doing charity work in the slums of India, she was a European by birth.
Mother Teresa
400
Goddess of a famous temple in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, associated with killing of the demon Mur, and with Lord Vishnu
Vaishnodevi
400
Popular sweet made with condensed milk/milk powder -- easy to make in the microwave!
Doodh peda/milk peda
400
This pungent spice famous for causing bad breath is not eaten by Jains -- or many Hindus.
Garlic
500
Thaye
Tamil
500
In a classic Bollywood movie, this woman's husband leaves her in their village, and she is forced to deal with a cunning moneylender. Played by Nargis, this mother shoots her own son. (Character name, not movie!)
Radha
500
Wife of Viswanatha, goddess of Kasi
Vishaalakshi
500
Round balls made from even smaller round balls, sometimes with cashews or raisins. Can also be an affectionate nickname!
Laddoo/ladu
500
Similar in appearance to pepper, these small round black balls are actually a kind of seed. Their oil is known for keeping the body warm and moist