kamalam
English
Etymology
From Sanskrit कमलम् (kamalam), from कमल (kamala, “lotus”). Coined by the government of Gujarat, from looking like a lotus blossom, since they did not like the term dragon fruit.[1]
Noun
kamalam (plural kamalams)
- (India, South Asia, Gujarat) Synonym of dragonfruit, pitaya, pitahaya (a fruit)
References
- Indian Express; "Explained: Why has Gujarat given dragon fruit the Sanskrit name ‘Kamalam’?"; Gopal B Kateshiya , Pooja Pillai ; 22 January 2021