Hindi Words For Beginners

These are some the words in common use.

hello = NAmSKAR

goodbye = ACH-HA

please = KRIP-YA

thank you = DHAN-YA-VAD

it is nice to meet you = AAP SE MIL KE KHU-SHI HUI

take me to my hotel = MUJ-HE HO-TEL LE CH-LI-YE

where is the bathroom = BATH-ROOM KI-DHAR HAI

how much does this cost = YEH KIT-NE KA HAI

how are you = KYA HAAL HAI

want to make a phone call = PHONE KAR-NAA HAI

where's the phone = PHONE KA-HAAN HAI

what time is it = KYA SA-MAY HAI

help = MA-DAD

doctor = DOCTOR

police = PU-LIS

pharmacy = CHEMIST

taxi = TAXI

train = TRAIN

subway = SUB-WAY

bus = BUS

street = SA-DAK

left = BA-YEN

right = DA-YEN, DA-HINE

middle = BEECH

under = NEE-CHE

beef = (forbidden)

chicken = CHIC-KEN

lamb = LAMB

fish = MACHH-LI

pork = PORK

veal = (forbidden)

ham = HAM

broil = BHOON-NA

bake = SEK-NA

boil = U-BA-AL-NA

fry = TAL-NA

vegetable = SUB-ZI

salad = SA-LAAD

bread = RO-TEE

cheese = PA-NEER

rice = CHA-WAL

potato = A-A-LU

soup = SOUP

chocolate = CHOCOLATE

dessert = MIT-HAI

coffee = COFFEE

tea = CHAI

milk = DOODH

beer = BEER

water = PA-A-NEE

I hope you find it useful?

Halfway to Ardh-Kumbh

The ardh-kumbh at Sangam, Prayag which is on since 03 Jan 07 is going to be over on Maha Shivratri day on 16 Feb 07.

Millions of devotees have taken part in this grand Hindu religious practice, despite many odds like bad weather, poor river water quality at Sangam, transportation hardships among many others. There were some demonstrations and moments of anger shown by Hindu religious teachers and saints which was largely targeted at administrative and civic authorities.

Two aspects which are worth being remembered are quoted here.

One. A group of muslims took the holi bath at Sangam on many occasions. What makes it distinct is the fact that it is basically a Hindu practice. Besides, the muslim fundamentalists and those having links with terrorist organisations will never like to let a harmonius relationship build up between these two religious groups. Though this act of moderate muslims is just a token of harmony between different religions, their courage in going against the fundamentalists is definitely praiseworthy.

Two. This time, there is an unprecedented number of foreign nationals camping at Sangam, following Hindu practices, practicing yoga and meditation, and even giving discourse to others devotees too. There learning, knowledge and enthusiasm about Hinduism is worth pondering over.

The event is being covered by all major media houses. The news and views on daily events can be seen on the various pages of BBC, CNN, Star and others.

There are still 20 days when this goes on. Give it a thought if you want to know more about Hindu religous practices.

Kumbh Mela - Hindu Religion

The millenium's first Ardh Kumbh Mela at the ancient city of Prayag (Allahabad, UP, India) starts on 03 Jan 07 and will continue till Maha Shiv Ratri on 16 Feb 07.

This event takes place once in six years.

This six weeks period is considered auspicious in Hindu religion. Hindu sages and mystics, pilgrims and tourists join millions in taking holi dip in Sangam at Prayag during this period. Sangam is the conflunce of rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the three mighty rivers of Northern India. Hindus consider these rivers to be sacred for their life-enhancing properties.

Important dates to note are:

03 Jan 07 - Paush Purnima
14, 15 Jan 07 - Makar Sankranti
19 Jan 07 - Magh Amavasya
23 Jan 07 - Basant Panchami
02 Feb 07 - Magh Poornima
16 Feb 07 - Maha Shiv Ratri

Discover what makes Kumbh one of the greatest congregations of mankind on earth. Stay tuned in for more exciting news about this religious practice.

Hindi Greetings for New year

If you wish to send New Year greetings in Hindi language, here are some you can use. You may even modify them to suit your taste and requirements.

So here we go:

1. नव वर्ष मंगल मय हो!
2. नया साल मंगल मय हो!
3. नया साल आपके लिये सुख और सम्मृधि से भरपूर हो!
4. Nav varsh ki haardik shubh kamanaye!
5. Naye saal ki haardik shubh kamanaye!
6. Naya saal mubarak ho!
7. Naye saal ka mubarakbaad!
8. Naye saal me Ishvar apni anukampaa aap par banaye rahe!
9. Naye saal me Ishvar apki manokamana poori kare!
10. Naya saal apke liye khushiyon ka khazana ho!
11. Naye saal me aap pragati aur safalata kii seema paar kare!
12. Nav varsh kii pavan bela me apko shat-shat pranam!

You can use them as it is or modify it if you want. You can also find these written in Hindi script at our Hindi website (Look for Hindi Quotations under reference in left Navbar)

It's Diwali Time Now!

Just to give you a headsup!

Get started on your preparations to celebrate this festival of lights for there are just about two weeks left.

Won't you like to arrange the diyas and make the fireworks/crackers light up the nightsky while you partake of the delicious dishes prepared on the occassion. Ofcourse to make it really memorable, you must invite and be ready to receive your friends, relatives, neighbours, and other guests in your traditional Indian attire including jewellry and silk dresses.

The Indian market is abuzz with new offers and those staying away from Indian landmass can take help of the online shops to order in stuff you want to get. There are quite a few which you can use asuch as fabmart.com and shopping.indiatimes.com

Looking ahead for a enjoyable Diwali.

Live Telecast Of Durga Puja Celebrations

Durga puja symbolises the eternal struggle between the forces of good and evil and the underlying hope of the ultimate triumph of all that is good. The battle rages not only against the external enemies confounding us with beguiling appearances but also internally between base and benign instincts in every person.

Doordashan Bangla (DD7 - TV channel) has made arrangements to telecast live Durga puja programs. The viewers residing in India as well as abroad will be able to watch the telecast of puja programs from 6 pm to 12 midnight (Indian standard time) from the sixth day of Durga puja till immersion of Durga idols.

The Hindu Celebrations Begin

The Hindus traditionally observe a "Pitrapaksh" or "Mahalaya"- a fortnight long period of remembrance of one's forefathers - which ends on 22 Sep 06.

On 23 Sep 06, Navratra starts. This also marks the beginning of Dussehara.

Navratra is a festival of worship, dance and music celebrated over a period of nine nights. It is celebrated from first to ninth of Ashwin Shukla Paksh of the Hindu calendar. These nine days are divided into sets of three for the worship of Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.

On the first day of Navratra, first incarnation of goddess Durga called "Shailputry" is worshipped. The goddess got her name from her birth place which is considered to be in Himalayas.

Navratra celebrations are a beautiful mix of power with devotion. It normally include prayers in the morning, and community gatherings in the evenings at pre-designated places generally spent in singing, dancing, and making new friends and acquaintances.

Though regional variations do exist, but the underlying idea remains same.

Among the prominent regional variations - Durga Puja in Bengal region, Garba is Gujrat- Maharastra and Dussehra North-Cental parts of India are the different forms.