28 Aug 2025 4 min read Guess Karo

Guess Karo: The Ultimate Desi Taboo Game for Every Occasion

Planning a family get-together, a festive celebration, or just a fun game night? Look no further than Guess Karo, the ultimate desi taboo game that promises endless laughter and cultural connection. It's the perfect way to bring generations together, bridging language barriers with familiar South Asian concepts and inside jokes. Forget generic board games; Guess Karo is specifically designed to resonate with the vibrant spirit of our community, making it one of the best Indian party games you can host.

This isn't just a game; it's an experience that celebrates our heritage, from Bollywood blockbusters to beloved family traditions. Whether you're trying to describe a classic dish without saying its name or acting out a festival ritual, Guess Karo turns every clue into a memorable moment. It's the ideal ice-breaker and entertainment for any occasion, ensuring everyone from your youngest cousin to your eldest auntie can join in the fun.

Ready to play now? Try Guess Karo on DesiMauj — free, no signup.

Desi Word List

SAMOSA

A crispy, triangular snack often served with chutney.

Taboo: Potato
Taboo: Fried
Taboo: Filling
Taboo: Tea
Taboo: Snack

DIWALI

The festival of lights, celebrated with lamps and sweets.

Taboo: Festival
Taboo: Lights
Taboo: Crackers
Taboo: Lakshmi
Taboo: India

BOLLYWOOD

The Hindi film industry, known for its song and dance.

Taboo: Movies
Taboo: Mumbai
Taboo: Actors
Taboo: Songs
Taboo: Dance

CHAI

A popular spiced milk tea, a daily ritual for many.

Taboo: Tea
Taboo: Milk
Taboo: Spices
Taboo: Drink
Taboo: Hot

SHAADI

A grand Indian wedding celebration.

Taboo: Wedding
Taboo: Marriage
Taboo: Bride
Taboo: Groom
Taboo: Baraat

CRICKET

A bat-and-ball game, almost a religion in South Asia.

Taboo: Sport
Taboo: Bat
Taboo: Ball
Taboo: Team
Taboo: India

PANI PURI

Hollow fried balls filled with spiced water and potatoes.

Taboo: Golgappa
Taboo: Water
Taboo: Street Food
Taboo: Spicy
Taboo: Round

MEHNDI

Henna applied to hands and feet, especially for celebrations.

Taboo: Henna
Taboo: Hands
Taboo: Design
Taboo: Wedding
Taboo: Paste

RICKSHAW

A three-wheeled passenger vehicle, common in cities.

Taboo: Auto
Taboo: Taxi
Taboo: Driver
Taboo: Transport
Taboo: Three

NAMASTE

A traditional Indian greeting, often with folded hands.

Taboo: Hello
Taboo: Greeting
Taboo: Hands
Taboo: Bow
Taboo: India

BIRYANI

A fragrant rice dish cooked with meat or vegetables.

Taboo: Rice
Taboo: Meat
Taboo: Spices
Taboo: Dish
Taboo: Hyderabadi

HOLI

The festival of colors, celebrated with joy and water.

Taboo: Colors
Taboo: Festival
Taboo: Water
Taboo: Spring
Taboo: Powder

SAARI

A traditional Indian garment, draped elegantly.

Taboo: Dress
Taboo: Cloth
Taboo: Woman
Taboo: Drape
Taboo: Blouse

GULAB JAMUN

Sweet, fried milk solids soaked in sugar syrup.

Taboo: Sweet
Taboo: Dessert
Taboo: Ball
Taboo: Syrup
Taboo: Fried

TAJ MAHAL

A famous white marble mausoleum in Agra, India.

Taboo: Monument
Taboo: Agra
Taboo: White
Taboo: Emperor
Taboo: Love

JALEBI

Crispy, spiral-shaped sweet soaked in sugar syrup.

Taboo: Sweet
Taboo: Orange
Taboo: Spiral
Taboo: Fried
Taboo: Syrup

AARTI

A Hindu ritual of worship with lamps and prayers.

Taboo: Prayer
Taboo: Lamp
Taboo: God
Taboo: Temple
Taboo: Fire

MANGO

The king of fruits, especially popular in summer.

Taboo: Fruit
Taboo: Yellow
Taboo: Sweet
Taboo: Summer
Taboo: King

DHOL

A large, double-headed drum, used in celebrations.

Taboo: Drum
Taboo: Music
Taboo: Punjabi
Taboo: Beat
Taboo: Dance

JUGAAD

An innovative, makeshift solution to a problem.

Taboo: Hack
Taboo: Solution
Taboo: Clever
Taboo: Improvise
Taboo: Fix

BINDI

A decorative dot worn on the forehead by women.

Taboo: Dot
Taboo: Forehead
Taboo: Woman
Taboo: Red
Taboo: Decoration

KURTA

A loose, collarless shirt worn by men and women.

Taboo: Shirt
Taboo: Tunic
Taboo: Indian
Taboo: Men
Taboo: Women

LASSI

A yogurt-based drink, sweet or savory.

Taboo: Yogurt
Taboo: Drink
Taboo: Sweet
Taboo: Punjabi
Taboo: Cold

RAKSHA BANDHAN

A festival celebrating the bond between siblings.

Taboo: Brother
Taboo: Sister
Taboo: Thread
Taboo: Festival
Taboo: Bond

CHUTNEY

A savory condiment, often spicy or sweet.

Taboo: Sauce
Taboo: Dip
Taboo: Spicy
Taboo: Mint
Taboo: Coconut

TEMPLE

A place of worship for Hindus.

Taboo: Mandir
Taboo: God
Taboo: Worship
Taboo: Priest
Taboo: Holy

GARBA

A traditional Gujarati folk dance, especially during Navratri.

Taboo: Dance
Taboo: Gujarati
Taboo: Navratri
Taboo: Circle
Taboo: Stick

MASALA

A blend of spices, central to Indian cooking.

Taboo: Spices
Taboo: Blend
Taboo: Curry
Taboo: Powder
Taboo: Flavor

AUTORICKSHAW

A motorized three-wheeled taxi.

Taboo: Auto
Taboo: Taxi
Taboo: Three
Taboo: Driver
Taboo: City

PUPPETRY

Traditional storytelling with string or hand figures.

Taboo: Dolls
Taboo: Show
Taboo: Strings
Taboo: Story
Taboo: Rajasthan

GHAR

The Hindi word for home or house.

Taboo: House
Taboo: Home
Taboo: Family
Taboo: Live
Taboo: Building

PARATHA

A flatbread, often stuffed with vegetables.

Taboo: Roti
Taboo: Bread
Taboo: Stuffed
Taboo: Breakfast
Taboo: Flat

KITE

Flown during festivals like Makar Sankranti.

Taboo: Fly
Taboo: String
Taboo: Sky
Taboo: Festival
Taboo: Paper

BARAAT

The groom's wedding procession.

Taboo: Groom
Taboo: Wedding
Taboo: Horse
Taboo: Procession
Taboo: Dance

HALDI

A turmeric paste ritual before weddings.

Taboo: Turmeric
Taboo: Yellow
Taboo: Wedding
Taboo: Paste
Taboo: Skin

CHAPPAL

A common term for sandals or flip-flops.

Taboo: Sandal
Taboo: Footwear
Taboo: Feet
Taboo: Flip-flop
Taboo: Shoes

MITHAI

A general term for Indian sweets.

Taboo: Sweets
Taboo: Dessert
Taboo: Shop
Taboo: Sugar
Taboo: Festival

PUNJABI

Relating to Punjab, its language, or people.

Taboo: Punjab
Taboo: Language
Taboo: People
Taboo: Dance
Taboo: India

GUEST

Someone visiting your home, treated with great respect.

Taboo: Visitor
Taboo: Home
Taboo: Welcome
Taboo: Hospitality
Taboo: Invite

COCONUT

A fruit used in cooking, rituals, and drinks.

Taboo: Fruit
Taboo: Tree
Taboo: Water
Taboo: South
Taboo: Shell

How to run a theme round

Want to make your Guess Karo game even more exciting? Try a themed round! It's a fantastic way to introduce specific categories like Bollywood Taboo or "Festival Fun" to challenge players and earn bonus points.

Announce the theme: Before starting the round, clearly state the theme (e.g., "All words this round are about Indian Festivals!").
Bonus points: Award extra points (e.g., 5-10 points) for correctly guessing words within the announced theme. This adds a competitive edge and encourages players to think creatively.
Timer tweak: For a more intense experience, you might slightly reduce the timer for themed rounds, or conversely, extend it if the words are particularly challenging.

FAQs

Q: Is Guess Karo suitable for all ages? A: Absolutely! Guess Karo is designed to be family-friendly, with words and taboo terms that are widely recognizable and appropriate for all generations, making it a perfect choice for any family gathering.

Q: Can we play Guess Karo with a mix of Hindi and English words? A: Yes! Guess Karo embraces Hinglish, allowing players to use a blend of languages in their clues. This makes the game more accessible and fun for diverse groups, especially when dealing with specific Hindi taboo words or cultural terms.