pavitra

Pavitra is a word of Sanskrit origin meaning sacred, pure, or holy. In many Indian languages it functions as an adjective denoting purity or sanctity, and it is used in religious, literary, and poetic contexts to describe persons, objects, or places regarded as holy. The term is also used as a personal name.

As a given name, Pavitra is used in India and among the Indian diaspora. It is most often a feminine name in contemporary usage, though regional naming practices vary and some communities may treat it as unisex. The name embodies auspicious qualities associated with purity and sacredness.

Variants and transliterations include Pavitr, Pavitri, Pavitra, and Pavita, reflecting differences in script and pronunciation across languages such as Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. The flexibility of transliteration contributes to multiple spellings in English-language contexts.

In onomastic studies and popular culture, Pavitra appears as a personal name for fictional characters and public figures, reflecting its positive connotations in Indian naming traditions. The term’s broad cultural resonance underscores its role as both a linguistic descriptor and an identity marker in South Asian contexts.