Many cultures have some sort of harvest festival or day of giving thanks: Germans have Erntedankfest, Koreans have Chuseok, and Americans have Thanksgiving. In India, too, there is a special day each year for celebrating the harvest and hoping for future blessings: the Lohri festival.
This holiday is especially popular in the Indian Punjab region, where sugarcane and other crops are harvested early in the year. In this article, you’ll learn all about why the Punjabi celebrate Lohri, what traditions look like today, and more.
Let’s get started!
1. What is Lohri?
Lohri is a harvest festival celebrating the harvest of Rabi crops.
The Lohri festival is celebrated each year on or around January 13 in पंजाब (panjaab), or “Punjab.” People in some other regions of India and Pakistan celebrate this holiday as well.
The meaning of Lohri is twofold: On the one hand, it celebrates the winter solstice and the arrival of longer, warmer days. On the other, it also celebrates the annual January harvest of गन्ने (ganne), or “sugarcane,” and other wintertime produce.
Traditionally, Lohri is considered a harvest festival and is perceived as a time to ask the gods for blessings and abundance. There are a few theories about where the name ‘Lohri’ originated:
It could be a shortened version of the combined words til and rorhi (tilohri -> lohri). These words mean “sesame seed” and “gur,” respectively.
Another theory is that the name is a shortened version of ‘Loi,’ which was the name of a saint’s wife.
There is still a third theory that suggests the name comes from ‘loh,’ which is a word referring to warmth and light.
This holiday is often associated with religious traditions of the past, including remembrance of the sun god Surya and the fire god Agni. In some circles, there is also a popular folk tale about a man named Dulla Bhatti who spent much of his life rescuing young girls from being sold into slavery.
2. Lohri Celebrations and Traditions
The bonfire is the focal point of Lohri celebrations.
While this holiday is mainly celebrated in Punjab, there are other regions in both India and Pakistan that observe the holiday. Exact traditions vary from one region to another.
The Lohri celebration in Punjab is met with much enthusiasm, and holiday preparation actually begins several days before. During this time, children work together to gather firewood that will be used for the traditional pyre and उत्सावाग्नि (utsavaagni), or “bonfire.” They also participate in a fun tradition called Lohri Booty, in which groups of children go from home to home singing songs in order to receive some kind of sweet treat or even money.
On the night of Lohri, there is a large bonfire that serves as the focal point of the celebrations. People gather around the fire wearing bright and colorful clothing, and together they pray, sing, dance, and indulge in special Lohri snacks made from the harvested sugarcane and other types of रब्बी की फसल (rabbi ki fasal), or “Rabi crop.”
While music plays—either from a traditional instrument called ढोल (dhol) or from an electronic device—people take revolutions around the bonfire and dance. Popular songs include those about the good deeds of Dulla Bhatti. There are two types of dances: Bhangra which is performed by men and गिद्धा (giddha) which is performed by women. Both dances are known for their high energy and spirit.
A pyre is burned in the bonfire, sometimes featuring an idol of the Lohri goddess, and people throw food into the fire. Burning the food like this is seen as an offering to the fire god, as well as a way to ‘burn’ the old year and prepare for the new one.
→ Music is a huge part of this festival! Why not brush up on your music-related vocabulary in our Vocab Builder lesson on Music?
3. The Many Foods of Lohri
Jaggery is one of the most popular Indian foods, especially for holidays.
Because Lohri is a harvest festival, food is one of its central elements. The people of Punjab prepare a variety of seasonal meals and other treats using ingredients from the harvest, including the sugarcane. Some popular harvest items during this time include मूँगफली (moongfalee), or “peanut,” and गुड (gud), or “jaggery.”
Traditional Punjabi dishes include Sarson ka saag and Makke ki roti. The first is a dish consisting of mustard greens and spices, and the latter is an unleavened, cornmeal-based bread. Very often, Sarson ka saag, Makke ki roti, and jaggery are served together to make a complete, delicious holiday meal!
→ To learn more about popular Indian foods and eating practices, you can visit our lesson on the Top 5 Indian Dishes.
4. Must-Know Vocabulary for the Lohri Festival
On Lohri, women perform an upbeat dance called Giddha.
Now let’s review some of the words from this article, plus a few more!
सरसों का साग (sarson ka saag) – “Sarson ka saag” [proper noun]
मक्के की रोटी (makke ki roti) – “Makke ki roti” [proper noun]
ढोल (dhol) – “Dhol” [proper noun]
गिद्धा (giddha) – “Giddha” [proper noun]
रब्बी की फसल (rabbi ki fasal) – “Rabi crop” [proper noun]
Remember that you can find each of these words along with an audio recording of their pronunciation on our Lohri vocabulary list!
Final Thoughts
Lohri plays a significant role in Punjabi society and India as a whole. In this article, you learned why Lohri is celebrated in Punjab, what modern-day traditions look like, and more—but your studies aren’t over yet!
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To continue learning about Indian culture and holidays, you can read our previous blog posts:
Indian culture is dotted with elements from a number of religions, with the majority of Indians (roughly eighty percent) adhering to Hinduism. The second most-popular religion? Islam. About fourteen percent of the country claims this religion as their own, and this makes Muslim holidays a pretty big deal here!
Eid ul-Fitr is one of the most widely celebrated and festive Muslim holidays, celebrated in numerous countries around the world. In this article, you’ll learn all about Eid ul-Fitr and how it’s celebrated in India!
Let’s get started.
1. What is Eid ul-Fitr?
Eid ul-Fitr, initiated by the Prophet Muhammad, is a public holiday that marks the रमज़ान उपवास का अंत (ramzaan upvaas ka aanT), or “end of Ramadan fasting.”
Traditionally, Eid ul-Fitr was celebrated in Medina after the Prophet Muhammad’s journey out of Mecca. Here, he found people having a massive celebration; he told them that there were two other days on which they should be celebrating instead (this holiday, along with Eid ul-Adha).
→ Do you plan on visiting India in the foreseeable future? Check out our vocabulary list of the top Tourist Attractions in India!
2. When is Eid ul-Fitr This Year?
Each year, the date of Eid ul-Fitr varies on the Gregorian calendar. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.
2020: May 24
2021: May 13
2022: May 3
2023: April 22
2024: April 10
2025: March 31
2026: March 20
2027: March 10
2028: February 27
2029: February 15
Note: The holiday actually starts the evening before the dates given here, and lasts until the end of the given dates. Dates can also vary a little based on the moon’s cycle in a given year.
3. Eid ul-Fitr Activities & Traditions
Eid ul-Fitr in India is a time of feasting, family, and worship. The main event for this holiday is the Eid prayer and service, though these are not obligatory to attend. It is obligatory, however, to provide Eid ul-Fitr donations to the poor and other people who are in need.
On Eid ul-Fitr, परिवार और दोस्तों का मेल जोल (parivaar aur DosTon ka mel jol), or “family and friends visit,” each other. They also give each other gifts, which often include money for the children.
In India, Eid ul-Fitr is often referred to as a मिठाई का उत्सव (mithaayi ka uTsav), or “sweet festival.” Many of the dishes prepared and eaten on this day are sweet and sugary; one of the most popular is called Lachcha. Fasting on Eid ul-Fitr is prohibited, as it’s meant to be a day of breaking the Ramadan fast.
On Eid ul-Fitr another popular custom is to नए कपड़े पहनना (naye kapde pahan na), or “wear new clothes.” It’s common for men to wear white clothing (representing purity), and for women and children to wear bright-colored clothing in celebration.
Typically, it’s very important to wear these new clothes while visiting family or attending prayers and services.
5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Eid ul-Fitr
Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this lesson? Here’s a list of the most important words and phrases for the Eid ul-Fitr holiday in India!
ईद उल-फ़ित्र (iiD uL-fiTra) — “Eid ul-Fitr”
नए कपड़े पहनना (naye kapde pahan na) — “wear new clothes”
मिठाई का उत्सव (mithaayi ka uTsav) — “sweet festival”
मीठे की दावत (meethey ki DaavaT) — “sugar feast”
मुसलामानों द्वारा मनाया जाता है (musalmaanon dvaara manaaya jaaTa hai) — “observed by Muslims”
छोटी ईद (chhoti eed) — “Lesser Eid”
ईद मुबारक (iid mubarak) — “Happy Eid”
उपहार देना (uphaar Dena) — “give gifts”
परिवार और दोस्तों का मेल जोल (parivaar aur DosTon ka mel jol) — “family and friends visit”
रमज़ान उपवास का अंत (ramzaan upvaas ka aanT) — “end of Ramadan fasting”
To hear the pronunciation of each word and phrase, and to read them alongside relevant images, please be sure to check out our Hindi Eid ul-Fitr vocabulary list!
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed learning about Eid ul-Fitr in India with us, and that you took away some valuable cultural information!
Do you celebrate Eid ul-Fitr in your country? If so, how are your traditions similar or different from those in India?
If you’re curious to learn more about Indian culture and the Hindi language, HindiPod101.com has many more free learning resources for you:
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Maha Shivaratri (The Great Night of Lord Shiva) is one of the most significant holidays in India, observed by devoted Hindus each year. In this article, you’ll learn about the mythology behind this holiday, explore its traditions, and study some new Hindi vocabulary.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
1. What is Maha Shivratri?
Maha Shivratri is a major festival and celebration in India. Its name translates to “The Great Night of Lord Shiva,” and this is a full night of worship to this Lord.
While the exact origins of this holiday are unknown, there are several stories and myths associated with it. The most well-known of these stories in India is that of Lord Shiva saving the world. He achieved this by drinking Halahala, a poison created of seawater by two people who hoped to achieve immortality. Upon drinking it, Lord Shiva’s throat turned blue because of the poison’s effect on his body. In a different version of this story, people say that the poison was actually dark matter.
Another popular story is that of Lubdhaka, a poor man who went into the woods to gather firewood. Frightened by the sounds of wild animals at night, he hid in a tree, praying to Shiva and dropping the tree’s leaves, one by one. Once day broke, he realized that the leaves had fallen into a शिवलिंग (shivling), or “lingam,” of Lord Shiva. For this reason, he was able to make it back home safely.
Many Hindus also celebrate Maha Shivratri as a commemoration of Lord Shiva’s marriage to the Goddess Parvati. In the same vein, many people believe that Lord Shiva saved the world due to Parvati’s pleading. Parvati promised that if he saved the world, people would worship him for the rest of time.
The Night of Shivaratri, and the day leading up to it, largely focuses on worshipping Shiva, trying to create admirable virtues within oneself, forgetting sins and wrongdoings of the past, and inviting good luck into the following year. There’s also a great emphasis on marriage, especially for women.
2. Maha Shivratri Date
The date of Maha Shivratri varies each year on the Gregorian calendar. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:
2020: February 21
2021: March 11
2022: March 1
2023: February 18
2024: March 8
2025: February 26
2026: February 15
2027: March 6
2028: February 23
2029: February 11
3. How is Maha Shivratri Celebrated?
There are many traditions on the Night of Shiva. The day leading up to it is largely a day of worship. Hindus take part in उपवास (upvaas), or “fasting,” and पूजा (pooja), or “worship,” of Lord Shiva. In addition, there’s usually lots of music and folk dancing. These Shivaratri celebrations continue into the night, and the most devoted Hindus actually partake in this festival all night long.
As mentioned earlier, a major component of this holiday is that of bettering oneself and showing devotion to Lord Shiva. People visit temples and provide a चढ़ावा (cadhaavaa), or “offering,” of water, milk, and bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. On this night, Lord Shiva’s devotees also light अगरबत्ती (agarbaTTii), or “incense,” in worship.
One of the most important acts of worship on Maha Shivaratri is शिवलिंग पर पानी चढ़ाना (shivling par paani chadhaana), or “bathing the Shiv Linga with water.”
Maha Shivaratri is also a day for women to pray and ask Lord Shiva to either bless their husband (if they’re married) or to grant them a husband as good as Lord Shiva himself (if they’re unmarried). This is because, in addition to having saved the world, Lord Shiva is considered the best possible example of a husband.
In turn, Hindu men observe the rituals and celebrations in hope of having good luck and fortune in the coming year.
4. Thandai
On Maha Shivratri (and during Holi), there’s another common tradition of drinking something called thandai. This is a milk-based drink that’s combined with an array of spices and nuts, usually served cold.
There are many different variations of this drink, including one made with rose petals, another made with a mango puree, and still another that uses cannabis.
If you’re in India during Maha Shivratri, make sure you try thandai!
5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Maha Shivratri
Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s the essential vocabulary you need to know for Maha Shivratri in India.
पानी (paani) — “water”
दूध (doodh) — “milk”
मंदिर (maNDir) — “temple”
महाशिवरात्रि (mahaa shivraatree) — “Night of Lord Shiva”
उपवास (upvaas) — “fasting”
भक्त (bhakT) — “devotee”
चढ़ावा (cadhaavaa) — “offering”
अगरबत्ती (agarbaTTii) — “incense”
बेल पत्र (bel paTr) — “bilva leaves”
शिवलिंग पर पानी चढ़ाना (shivling par paani chadhaana) — “Bathing the Shiv Linga with water”
We hope you enjoyed learning about Maha Shivratri with us, and that you were able to take away something valuable from this lesson. What are the biggest holidays in your country? Tell us about them in the comments section!
One of the largest holidays in India, Maha Shivratri is still only the beginning of India’s colorful and vivid culture. If you’re interested in learning even more about Hindi culture and the language, check out the following pages on HindiPod101.com:
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The Guru Nanak Jayanti in India is one of the most important holidays in the country for those of the Sikh religion. Each year, they celebrate the birth of the first Sikh guru, and attend other festivities throughout the celebration.
Learning about this Sikh religious holiday will provide you with a more structured framework for which to continue in your Hindi studies. As any successful language-learner can tell you, understanding a country’s culture is a step you can’t miss!
In this article, you’ll learn Guru Nanak Jayanti facts to gain more insight into the culture of India and Sikh religion, including the Guru Nanak Jayanti history and current celebrations. At HindiPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!
Let’s get started, and delve into this fun and relevant aspect of Indian culture!
1. What is the Guru Nanak Jayanti?
As we mentioned earlier, the Guru Nanak Jayanti is the largest festival in the Sikh religion. This festival, first and foremost, celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak.
There are ten Gurus in the Sikh religion, and this festival celebrates the birthday of the first Sikh guru: Guru Nanak. As you may have guessed, Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh faith. He was born in 1469 in a small village in Punjab, and he dedicated his life to spiritual ends. He preached and taught methods to achieve enlightenment, and his teachings form part of the holy book—the Guru Granth Sahib—and are frequently sung in hymnals.
2. Guru Nanak Jayanti Date
Each year, the Guru Nanak Jayanti takes place on a different date, though it’s usually in November. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.
2019: November 12
2020: November 30
2021: November 19
2022: November 8
2023: November 27
2024: November 15
2025: November 5
2026: November 24
2027: November 14
2028: December 2
3. Guru Nanak Jayanti Activities & Traditions
A few days before Guruparv, all Sikh temples (Gurudwaras) are decorated with lights, and street processions move through cities and towns singing religious hymns. In these processions, five disciples called Panj Pyare lead the way. Panj Pyare are five learned men of the Khalsa Sect who have dedicated their lives to the cause of community service and protection. In these processions, the Sikh flag, called Nishan Sahib, waves proudly as the group walks on singing hymns and displaying the traditional Sikh martial art, Gatka.
The day of the Guru Nanak birthday celebration (Guruparv) starts with hymns and prayers. Throughout the day, people listen to religious sermons and spiritual (Dharmik) speeches. Special community meals called Langar are organized in the temples, and people enthusiastically participate in the celebrations with their families. Guruparv is celebrated in gurudwaras all over India, but these celebrations are most prominent in the states of Punjab and Haryana.
The Guru Granth Sahib has 1,430 pages, and for every Guruparv, the entire text is read without pause. This is called the Akhand Path and takes forty-eight hours to complete. The Akhand Path is considered sanctifying, and many people attend Gurudwaras just to listen to it.
4. What is Langar?
Earlier, we mentioned a special meal called Langar, which is served in Sikh temples every day, and especially on the auspicious day of Guruparv. But what is the meaning of Langar?
Langar means “service” and refers to the kitchen run in Sikh temples where every visitor is offered a free meal. Langar food is vegetarian so that people of any faith or diet may participate. This tradition was started by Guru Nanak.
5. Essential Vocabulary for Guru Nanak Jayanti
Here’s some Hindi vocabulary you should know for the Guru Nanak Jayanti festival!
गिद्धा (giddha) — Giddha
पंजाब (punjab) — Punjab
ननकाना साहिब (nankana sahib) — Nankana Sahib
सिख (sikh) — Sikhism
पहले सिख गुरु (pehle sikh guru) — First sikh guru
गुरुद्वारा (gurudwara) — Gurudwara
गोल्डन टेंपल (goldan temple) — Golden Temple
अमृतसर (amritsar) — Amritsar
पगड़ी (pagdi) — Turban
गुरु ग्रंथ साहिब (Giddha) — Guru Granth Sahib
भंगरा (Bhangra) — Bhangra
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, and read them alongside relevant images, be sure to check out our Guru Nanak Jayanti vocabulary list!
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed learning about how Nanak Jayanti is celebrated, and that you learned something new! How are important figures’ birthdays celebrated in your own country? Similarly, or very different from the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak? Let us know in the comments!
Learning about a country’s culture and history may be the most enriching and fascinating aspects of trying to master its language. If more cultural information is what you’re after, you may find the following pages helpful:
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A precious gem born in the land of India helped the country maintain its freedom from the British through truth, nonviolence, and peace. His name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, otherwise known as Mahatma Gandhi.
In this article, you’ll learn about how the Indian people celebrate the Gandhi Jayanti, or Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, each year. We’ll also go into some detail about Gandhi’s beliefs and his lasting effect on the Indian people.
In learning about the Gandhi Jayanti celebration in India, you’re gaining a clearer vision of Indian culture and what sets it apart from much of the world. And, in turn, this will make your Hindi-learning more effective and meaningful!
At HindiPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!
1. What is the Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti in India?
Gandhi Jayanti is the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi who is the “Father of the Nation.” This is one of the three official national holidays, and is celebrated in all Indian states and union territories.
Gandhi was one of the numerous influential Indian leaders during the Indian independence movement from Britain. He initiated the use of non-violence as a political tool and inspired other great leaders including Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela, Aung San Su Kyi, and Benigno Aquino, Jr. He was a very conscious figure in both India and the West, and his legacy still propels us today.
2. When is Gandhi Jayanti?
The Gandhi Jayanti holiday in India takes place on Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday each year, which is October 2.
3. How is Gandhi Jayanti Celebrated in India?
As of 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared that India would celebrate the Gandhi Jayanti as the International Day of Nonviolence. On Gandhi Jayanti, liquor is neither sold nor consumed in India in honor of Gandhi ji, who was an icon of truth and Ahinsa (non-violence).
Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated through various events. India’s president, prime minister, and other ministers visit Samadhi, Rajghat to pay homage to him and sing patriotic songs. In schools, children are shown the ideas, values, views, and contributions of Gandhi, and taught how to use them in their lives.
The picture of Gandhi-ji is placed in every police station, government office, school, court, and corporate company, to show people to follow on the path of non-violence, love, and truth.
4. More Interesting Facts About Gandhi
Gandhi always opposed foreign materials and emphasized on vernacular things. He exhorted the people to use charkha (spinning wheels) and to wear the khadi clothes, and keeping the poverty in mind, he promoted small-scale industries.
Gandji-ji respected all religions and the statement Hindu Muslim Sikh Isai, aapas mein hain bhai bhai (Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian, we are all brothers) was given to all the Indians of the country.
His famous dictum is Ishwar Allah tere naam! Sabko sanmati de bhagwan! (Ishwar and Allah are both Your names! Please give everyone good sense!).
5. Essential Vocabulary for Gandhi Jayanti
Here’s some vocabulary you need to know for the Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti!
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, visit our Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation, and a relevant image.
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What are your thoughts on the Gandhi Jayanti? Does your country have a holiday commemorating an important historical figure? Let us know in the comments; we always look forward to hearing from you!
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Every year a massive festival is celebrated in the middle of summer, or in Hindi Grishm Ritu in eastern India, where the Lord Jagannath is taken on a chariot ride to Dwarka and more pilgrimage sites. In this lesson, we’re talking about the special festival of the Chariot Ride, celebrated for nine days during the Hindu month of Aashad, and the significance of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra.
Since the Jagannath Festival is one of the most celebrated in India, learning about it will allow you to better understand Hindu culture and religion as a whole. And as any successful language-learner can tell you, this is a vital step in mastering any language!
At HindiPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative, as you delve into the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra Puri.
1. What is the Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath?
The Chariot Festival involves a journey comprised of three chariots carrying the statues of Lord Jagannath, Subhadra, and Balram, respectively. Lord Jagannath is a human incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
In his life story, when he killed the evil king Kansa and rid the people of his tyranny, the entire city came out to greet Lord Vishnu as he paraded victoriously through town.
This event is commemorated every year with his idol, in Hindi called a Moorti. Each year, three new chariots are made and decorated out of sandalwood for the occasion.
2. When is the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra?
The date of the Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath varies each year on the Gregorian calendar, but always takes place in June or July. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.
2019: July 4
2020: June 23
2021: July 11
2022: June 30
2023: June 19
2024: July 7
2025: June 26
2026: July 16
2027: July 5
2028: June 24
3. How is the Chariot Festival Celebrated?
1- The Chariots & The Char Dham
The biggest celebrations are held in Odisha, where this is considered a huge occasion. In the city of Puri, three chariots leave the Jagannath Temple each year, and devotees pull them to the Gundicha Temple two miles away. The chariots are as follows:
The first chariot of Lord Balram is called Taldhwaj, and is decorated in red and blue drapes.
The second chariot of Subhadra is called Dwarpdalan and is decorated in red and black fabric.
The third one, of Lord Jagannath, is forty-four feet high, stands on sixteen wheels, and is called Nandi Ghosha.
After nine days, the chariots are taken back to the Jagannath Temple via the Mausi Ma Temple. At the Mausi Ma Temple, people eat special Poda Pitha sweets. People play conch shells, temple bells, and the flute along the Yatra, and millions of devotees throng the route to view the idols, yelling Jai Jagannath! meaning “Praising Lord Jagannath!” This tradition was started by King Indradyumna of the Kaling Kingdom, who commissioned construction for the three idols and Lord Jagannath’s temple.
Do you know what the four sites of the Char Dham pilgrimage are? They are as follows:
Badrinath
Dwarka
Puri
Rameswaram
2- Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra Story
The arms of the three idols are noticeably incomplete, yet an old legend related to King Indradyumna and his sculptor explains why this is so.
Through divine guidance, the King was guided to employ a certain sculptor. However, the sculptor’s only condition for creating the idols was that no one should come to him, or even knock on his door for twenty-one days. The King agreed, but after hearing no noise coming from the room after fourteen days, the King grew restless and opened the door. Inside, he found the three uncompleted idols, but the sculptor was gone. Taking this as the gods’ will, the King installed the idols in their incomplete form.
4. The Puri Jagannath Temple
What is the Puri Jagannath temple, the starting point of the Chariot Festival, famous for?
Lord Vishnu is a major deity in Hinduism. There are four temples in India in the four directions dedicated to four major deities. The Lord Jagannath temple at Puri is the eastern temple of Lord Vishnu. This is the only temple where Lord Jagannath shares space with Balram and Subhadra.
5. Useful Vocabulary for the Chariot Festival
Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath!
पर्यटक (paryatak) — tourist
मंदिर (maNDir) — temple
घोड़ा (ghoDaa) — horse
रथ यात्रा (rath yaatraa) — Festival of Lord Jagannath
सड़क पर जुलूस निकालना (sadak par juloos nikaalna) — street procession
We hope you enjoyed learning about the Chariot Festival of Lord Jagannath with us, and that you took away something valuable from this lesson! Do you remember the answer to the question: “Lord Jagannath is a form of which Hindu god?” Let us know in the comments!
To continue learning about Hindi culture and the Hindi language, visit us at HindiPod101.com! We provide an array of fun and practical learning tools for every learner, including free Hindi vocabulary lists, more insightful blog posts like this one, and an online community where you can chat with fellow Hindi learners or ask for help. By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program, and learn Hindi one-on-one with your own personal teacher!
Know that your hard work in learning Hindi will pay off, and before you know it, you’ll be speaking, reading, and writing Hindi like a native!
Vasant Panchami, or Saraswati Puja, is the Hindu celebration of the Goddess Saraswati—the Goddess of Arts and Wisdom. Celebrated each year, Hindus take seriously the importance of Vasant Panchami and the worship of the Goddess Saraswati.
Vasant Panchami’s significance to the Hindus can’t be overstated. By learning about Vasant Panchami, you’re gaining wisdom and knowledge regarding the Hindu religion as well as the country of India as a whole.
In this article, we at HindiPod101.com hope to answer the question, “Why is Vasant Panchami celebrated?” along with more information on Vasant Panchami. We’ll even give you some insight into Vasant Panchami in the Hindi language through our vocabulary section.
Let’s get started!
1. What is Vasant Panchami?
Vasant Panchami, also commonly referred to as Saraswati Puja, is the Festival of the Goddess of Arts and Wisdom.
Basant Panchami takes place at the beginning of spring. In eastern India, especially Bengal, this day marks the occasion of Saraswati Puja. Depicted holding a musical instrument called the Veena in her arms, Saraswati is the goddess of “education,” or Vidya, “music,” or Sangeet, “arts,” or Kala, and “knowledge,” or Gyan. Essentially, the Goddess Saraswati is the deity of music, dance, and every other form of learning and science.
On Vasant Panchami, Hindus worship Saraswati and celebrate these gifts to mankind.
2. When is Vasant Panchami?
Vasant Panchami takes place each year, though its date varies. It’s usually celebrated the last week in January or the first week in February.
For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years:
2019: February 10
2020: January 29
2021: February 16
2022: February 5
2023: January 26
2024: February 14
2025: February 2
2026: January 23
2027: February 11
2028: January 31
3. How is it Celebrated?
1- Worship of the Goddess
Learning is worshipped in this divine form in Hinduism.
Homes are decorated with art and several art competitions are organised for the occasion. Religious rites are conducted in schools and homes, and Prasad, meaning “food offerings,” of spring fruits are offered to the Goddess.
During this time, students pray for excellence in the arts and in learning by touching flowers to the feet of idols of the Goddess and preserving those flowers in their books for blessings. Then they visit each household and distribute blessed food.
2- The Color Yellow
The verdant and colorful spring, along with the Puja of the Goddess Saraswati, create a festive atmosphere. The color yellow has especially great significance in the festival, and “yellow flowers of mustard,” or Sarson, are used in decorations. In Bengal, girls of all ages wear yellow sarees.
It’s interesting to note that while yellow is a vitally significant color during Vasant Panchami, it’s not the only color that Hindus find deep meaning in. In fact, India is known for its colorful nature and its people are known to attach great value and various meanings to colors in general.
3- Northern Indian Celebrations
In the northern Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, and in Punjab, this festival is also celebrated as the festival of spring, called Basant.
People wear yellow clothes and cook yellow dishes, such as saffron rice, and a kite flying competition is organized in the Ferozepur district during this time. Don’t be surprised to find music and dancing during this festival, either—this is, after all, the celebration of arts!
In northern India, there’s a tradition among Sufi saints in which special floral wreaths are placed on the graves of passed saints in celebration of the Basant festival.
On this day, people may also give cards to others with good Vasant Panchami wishes on them!
4. Additional Information
In the Hindu religion, the gods and goddesses have “vehicles” or Vahanas, on which they travel to various places (including to receive offerings and sacrifices). These vehicles are essentially spiritual animals, creatures in animal form which possess power and wisdom. It’s also thought that these magical creatures are used in wars.
The vehicle used by the Goddess Saraswati is a white swan. This bird is a symbol of purity and beauty. Considering the purity, delicacy, and importance of the arts and sciences this Goddess is associated with, this should come as no surprise.
5. Must-know Vocab
Check out this list of must-know vocabulary for Vasant Panchami so that you can celebrate this holiday to its full extent! Study this list as much as you need to, and gain more knowledge about Vasant Panchami in Hindi.
खेत (kheT) — field
विद्यार्थी (viDyaarTHii) — student
मोर (mor) — peacock
केसर (Kesar) — saffron
वसंत पंचमी (Vasant Panchami) — Vasant Panchami
माँ सरस्वती (Maa Saraswati) — Maa Saraswati
हलवा (Halwa) — halva
गैंदा (Gainda) — marigold
पूजा करना (pooja karna) — worship
पीले कपड़े (Peele kapde) — yellow dress
वसंत ऋतु (vasant ritu) — spring season
देवी देवता (devi devta) — gods and goddesses
To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, be sure to check out our Vasant Panchami vocabulary list page. Here, you’ll find an audio alongside each word with its pronunciation.
Conclusion
Now you know more about Vasant Panchami in India. What do you think of this holiday? Is there a holiday celebrating the arts or sciences in your own country? Let us know in the comments!
To learn even more about Indian culture and the language, visit us at HindiPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community to chat with fellow Hindi learners about lessons. For a one-on-one learning experience, you can also download our MyTeacher app and gain your very own personal Hindi teacher!
Until next time, we wish you well in your Hindi-learning endeavors. Keep up the good work and continue practicing, and you’ll be a Hindi-speaking master in no time!
Of all the Indian holidays, the India Republic Day holiday may just be the most significant. This is a national holiday in India, and is a day for great celebration over the adoption of its new constitution in 1950—making it a republic at last!
Find out all about India Republic Day with HindiPod101.com, from the India Republic Day parade to this Hindu holiday’s origins.
1. What is Republic Day in India?
In India, गणतंत्र-दिवस (ganTaNTra-DivaS) or “Republic Day” is the celebration of January 26, 1950 when its constitution (or Samvidhaan) was implemented at last. This allowed India to officially become a republic (or gantantra) at last.
Prior to this, up until 1947, much of India was under British rule. While India technically gained its independence in 1947, it wasn’t until the constitution was adopted that it actually became a republic.
At the time, it was a state with fifteen official languages, twenty-six accepted languages, and a conglomeration of five religious communities and myriad cultural communities. The celebration of Republic Day is also a celebration of India’s huge cultural diversity.
2. India Republic Day Date
India celebrates its Republic Day each year on January 26.
3. How is it Celebrated?
As far as India holidays and celebrations go, Republic Day is one of the most significant.
The celebrations begin each year with the President saluting the Amar Jawan Jyoti, meaning “The flame of the immortal soldier,” which is below the ramparts of the India Gate located in the capital.
Amar Jawan Jyoti, as its name indicates, is an eternal flame burning in memory of the soldiers who gave all in order to help establish a sovereign India. The President salutes these sacrifices, and then awards those people who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields of work. The Bharat Ratna award is the nation’s highest civilian honor.
This is followed by a festive parade on New Delhi’s famous Raj Path, which means “Royal Road.” The first showcase of the parade is a magnificent display by the regiments of the Indian army, navy, and air force.
This is followed by tableaus of all the states of the union. Each tableau offers a display of the state’s wealth of people, music, culture, dance, and dress as it proceeds down the parade route. Thousands of people gather at the Royal Road to witness this ornate display, also called the India Republic Day parade, while millions of others catch it on television in Hindi.
Sometimes, there are also India Republic Day guests. For example, U.S. President Barack Obama visited India for Republic Day in 2015 as an honored guest.
4. Additional Information
India’s Constitution is longer than that of any other state in the world. It has 448 articles and 118 amendments. The constitution declares India to be an independent, democratic, secular, and socialist republic.
Today, this new constitution is still seen as the strongest word of law in India; even the Indian Parliament is unable to supercede it.
5. Must-Know Vocab for India’s Republic Day
हेलिकोप्टर (helikoptar) — helicopter
नई दिल्ली (Naii DiLLii) — New Delhi
गणतंत्र-दिवस (ganTaNTra-DivaS) — Republic Day
परेड (pared) — parade
राष्ट्रीय छुट्टी (raastriya chuttii) — national holiday
राष्ट्रगान (raashtragaan) — national anthem
बहादुरी के पदक और पुरस्कार (bahaaDuri ke paDak aur puraskaar) — awards and medals of bravery
भारगुलाब की पंखुड़ियांत का संविधान (bhaaraT ka sanvidhaan) — Constitution of India
राष्ट्रीय झंडा (raashtriya jhandaa) — national flag
गुलाब की पंखुड़ियां (gulaab ki pankhudiyaan) — rose petal
If you want to hear each word pronounced, be sure to check out our Republic Day vocabulary list, which includes an audio with each word.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned about India’s Republic Day, you’ve gained another layer of knowledge regarding India’s culture and its people. What do you think of this important national holiday? Is there a similar holiday in your country?
To learn even more about India and its culture, be sure to visit us at HindiPod101.com! Alongside insightful blog posts and a variety of vocabulary lists, we also host an online community so that you can discuss your lessons with fellow students. And if you prefer a one-on-one learning approach, you can even download our MyTeacher app.
We wish you success in learning Hindi and discovering the depth of India’s history. You’ll be speaking Hindi like a native before you know it!
Learn all the Hindi New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join HindiPod101 for a special Hindi New Year celebration!
Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.
So, how do you say Happy New Year in Hindi? Let a native teach you! At HindiPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Hindi New Year wishes!
Do you know how New Year’s is celebrated in India? Are you familiar with festivals like Pongal, Ugadi, or Gudi Padwa? These, of course, are all traditional Indian New Year festivals, but in this lesson we will be focusing on the Western New Year, which is celebrated on December 31.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
Where is India’s most popular New Year’s celebration held?
If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.
In India, each religious and linguistic community welcomes in the new year with its own distinct festival, or Utsav. While the Marwaris consider the Diwali festival during Autumn to be the beginning of the New Year, other communities celebrate it at the advent of Spring, in April. Different communities refer to these celebrations by different names as well. They are called Bihu in Assam, Lusong in Sikkim, Poila Boisakh in Bengal, Gudi Padwa in Maharashtra, Ugadi in Andhra, Vishu in Kerala and so on. All of these are traditional Indian New Year festivals.
The Western New Year on December 31 is also celebrated with equal fervor in India, which in Hindi is Bharat. The new year is so well received in India because of the 200 years of British rule, and the heritage that was left behind. Like other countries, Indians also welcome the New Year with good food, drink, and merriment in the company of friends and family.
People gather together with their family, or Parivar and friends, or Dosto on the evening of the 31st of December. There are countdowns to midnight on TV, and people gather to celebrate in places like clubs, homes, shops, and restaurants. Big Bollywood stars take part in massive concerts that perform for huge crowds. It is common for people to make resolutions and buy and distribute sweets, and when the clock strikes twelve, people wish each other ‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Naya Saal Mubarak Ho’.
In Mumbai, lots of people gather at the major spots of the city to welcome in the New Year. Popular spots in the city include Gateway of India, Bandra Bandstand, and Juhu Beach.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
Where is India’s most popular New Year’s celebration held?
This place is India’s most popular tourist destination – Goa!
Happy New Year!
नया साल मुबारक हो nayaa saal mubarak ho
2. Must-Know Hindi Words & Phrases for the New Year!
1- Year
साल SaaL
This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in India could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?
2- Midnight
मध्यरात्री maDHyaraaTrii
The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!
3- New Year’s Day
नव वर्ष दिवस Nava varṣ DivaS
In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.
4- Party
समारोह samāroh
A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.
5-Dancing
नृत्य NriTya
Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.
6- Champagne
शैम्पेन saimpeN
Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.
7- Fireworks
आतिशबाज़ी aaTisbaazii
These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.
8- Countdown
उलटी गिनती ulṭī giNtī
This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!
9- New Year’s Holiday
नए साल की छुट्टी Na’ē sāl kī chuṭṭī
In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.
10- Confetti
कॉन्फ़ेट्टी KauNfēttī
In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.
11- New Year’s Eve
नए साल की शाम Na’ē Sāl kī śām
This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?
12- Toast
टोस्ट ṭōsṭ
A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!
13- Resolution
संकल्प SaNkaLp
Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!
14- Parade
परेड Parēḍa
New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At HindiPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Hindi New Year celebrations are like!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions
So, you learned the Hindi word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at HindiPod101 – what are yours?
Learn these phrases and impress your Hindi friends with your vocabulary.
1- Read more
ज़्यादा पढ़ना zyaaDa padhnaa
Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Hindi in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Hindi language skills!
2- Spend more time with family
परिवार के साथ ज़्यादा समय बिताना parivaar ke saath zyaaDa samay biTaana
Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.
3- Lose weight
वज़न कम करना vazan kam karnaa
Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!
4- Save money
पैसे बचाना paise bachaana
Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to HindiPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!
5- Quit smoking
धूम्रपान छोड़ देना dhumrapaan chodhh Dena
This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.
6- Learn something new
कुछ नया सीखना kuchh nayaa seekhnaa
Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!
7- Drink less
शराब कम पीना sharaab kam peenaa
This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!
8- Exercise regularly
नियमित रूप से कस्रत करना niyamiT roop se kasraT karnaa
This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.
9- Eat healthy
स्वास्थ्य के लिये अच्छा खाना खाना svasthya ke liye achha khaanaa khaanaa
If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!
10- Study Hindi with HindiPod101
हिंदिपॉड101.कॉम के साथ हिन्दी सीखिये Hindī pŏḍa101.Kŏma kē sātha hindī sīkhiyē
Of course! You can only benefit from learning Hindi, especially with us! Learning how to speak Hindi can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. HindiPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.
Make decorative notes of these in Hindi, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Hindi incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
Still undecided whether you should enroll with HindiPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.
As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Hindi could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Hindi – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Hindi – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.
7. Why Enrolling with HindiPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!
If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Hindi! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that HindiPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!
Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Hindi at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Hindi that makes sense!
Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!
Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi? HindiPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Hindi Christmas phrases!
Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Hindi speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, HindiPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi!
In Hindi, Christmas is called Badda Din which means ‘Big Day’. Christmas celebrations in India are held every year on December 25. This is the most important day of the year for Indian Christians, but is celebrated by non-Christian Indians as well.
Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question-
Which tree is used in traditional Christmas decorations in India?
If you don’t already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep reading.
Christmas is a surprisingly big holiday in India. Most students participate in nativity plays based on the story of Christ’s birth, sing Christmas Carols, which in Hindi are called Issai Bhajan, and decorate Christmas trees. Like in other countries, it’s common to hang Christmas stars, decorate Christmas trees, and put up Christmas lights and decorations. The practice of exchanging gifts, or Uphaar, is only for children. Even non-Christian children all over the country participate in and enjoy this festival the most.
Most of the Indian Christian community is Catholic, so there are many Catholic churches, especially in places like Kerala, Manipur, Nagaland, and Goa. Christmas festivities are celebrated with particular fervor in the ornate Portuguese churches of Goa. Because Jesus was born at midnight, celebrations are started with prayers in churches on the night of the 24th. The prayers continue during the daytime on the 25th, at which time people exchange their Christmas greetings.
Santa Claus or Christmas ka Baba is quite popular in India. Although most Indian homes don’t have chimneys, children still await his gift-baring arrival with anticipation on the night of the 24th. Christmas time in India is filled with excitement and joy. In urban areas, even those who are not Christian will pray for the arrival of Lord Jesus, just as they pray to their own gods and saints.
In India, statues of baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary are dressed in Indian-style garments. In southern India, you can even find Mary dressed in the famous South Indian Kanjivaram silk saree.
Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-
Which tree is used in traditional Christmas decorations in India?
In India, the Poinsettia plant or Chir tree branch is commonly used as the Christmas tree, and is popularly known as the “Christmas Plant”.
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season
1- Merry Christmas!
मेरी क्रिसमस! meri krismas!
Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!
2- Happy Kwanzaa!
हैप्पी क्वान्ज़ा! haepii kvaanzaa!
Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!
3- Have a happy New Year!
नया साल मुबारक हो nayaa saal mubarak ho
In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.
4- Happy Hanukkah!
हन्नुकाह मुबारक हो| hannukaah mubaarak ho
Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.
5- Have a great winter vacation!
सर्दीयों कि छुट्टियाँ मुबारक हो sarDiyon ki chhuttiyaan mubarak ho
This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.
6- See you next year!
अगले साल फिर मिलेंगे! agle saal fir milenge
Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.
7- Warm wishes!
शुभकामनाऍ shubhkaamnaayen
An informal, friendly phrase to write in Hindi Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.
8- Happy holidays!
छुट्टियाँ मुबारक हों chhuttiyaan mubaarak ho
If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Hindi, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.
9- Enjoy the holidays!
छुट्टियों का आनंद लो| chhuttiyon kaa ananD lo
After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Hindi, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.
10- Best wishes for the New Year!
नव वर्ष की शुभकामनाएं! nav varsh ki shubhkaamnaayen
This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Hindi! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At HindiPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!
1- Christmas
क्रिसमस krismas
This is the Hindi word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Hindi will include this word!
2- Snow
बर्फ barf
In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.
3- Snowflake
हिमकण himkan
Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.
4- Snowman
हिममानव him maanav
As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.
5- Turkey
टर्की tarkii
Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?
6- Wreath
फूलों का हार foolon ka haar
Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.
7- Reindeer
बारहसिंहा baarahsingha
Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?
8- Santa Claus
सांता क्लॉस sanTaa claus
Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!
9- Elf
जादुई बौना jaaDui bona
An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!
10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
लाल नाक वाला बारहसिंघा laal naak waala baarahsingha
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!
11- North Pole
उत्तरी ध्रुव uTTari dhruv
The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!
12- Sled
स्लेज slej
A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.
13- Present
उपहार uphaar
Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.
14- Bell
घंटी ghantii
On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.
15- Chimney
चिमनी chimnee
The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!
16- Fireplace
अंगीठी angeethi
In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!
17- Christmas Day
बड़ा दिन badaa DiN
This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.
18- Decoration
सजावट sajaavat
Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.
19- Stocking
बड़ा मोजा badaa mojaa
According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.
20- Holly
सदाबहार वृक्ष saDabahaar vriksh
Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.
21- Gingerbread house
जिंजरब्रेड का घर जिंजरब्रेड का घर jinjerbred kaa ghar
According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.
22- Candy cane
टाफी की छड़ी taafi ki chhadii
According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!
23- Mistletoe
अमर बेल amar bel
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Hindi, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!
The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.
‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture
This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Hindi! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.
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