Types of greetings in India

India is a country that is known for its rich culture, hospitality, various religions, languages, and lots more. People living in different states have their own sets of principles, rules, customs, traditions, and rituals. There are various ways of greeting and each particular state has its unique way. It is very important to know about these greetings or gestures before visiting a particular state or the country.

Take a look at some of the types of greetings in India

• Namaste

This is one of the most common and profound methods of greeting each other in India. This traditional form of greeting is practiced in every region. Namaste is made of two words; Namah and Te. This word is derived from Sanskrit and it means “Not me, they”. It has also been said that it means ” I bow to the goodness in you”. In this case, they are refereed to all the Gods in the Hindu mythological. This can be further explained as, Namaste is a form of greeting or statement that indicates the doer of everything is not me but God. All you need to do is, join both your palm, fingers sticking to each other, and a simple bow and say Namaste. This is a very warm type of greeting in India and is practised by most individuals when they first meet each other. More on meaning of Namaste.

• SAT SHRI AKAL

People living in Punjab greet each other by saying SAT SHRI AKAL. This form of greeting is highly practiced by Punjabis and Sikhs living in different parts of the country. Sat means truth, Shri is referred as honorific word and Akal means timeless. In other words, Sat Shri Akal can be defined as God is the Ultimate truth. This form of greeting is used by the Sikh community whenever they meet each other regardless of their native language.

• Khuda Hafiz

People who follow Islamic religion greet each other with Khuda Hafiz. This is generally used by Muslim people when they meet each other. Khuda Hafiz means let God be your protector. At the time of Good Bye or see off, people greet by saying Allah Hafiz, which also means the same. This is again an old form of greeting that is strictly followed in the Muslim community.

• Vanakam

When you visit south India, you will see people greeting each other by saying Vanakam. It means welcome in Tamil and is usually greeted when a person arrives at your house. This form of greeting is practiced by Sri Lankans, Tamils, and Malayalams. In many cases, people also use this word to say Goodbye.

• Pranam

The Hindu mythological or philosophy teaches us to do Pranam when we meet someone who is elder to us. When you greet someone with Pranam, you are required to touch the feet of the elder and say pranam. It indicates respect and love you have for the other person in your heart. People follow this type of greeting whenever they meet their Guru, parents, or while leaving home for the day. There are six types of pranam; Ashtangana, Shastanga, Panchanga, Dandavata, Namaskar, and Abhinandan.

• AS SALAM ALE KUM

This is another form of greeting that Muslim community follow. This Arabic word means Peace be unto you. This is one of the most common form of salutation followed by people of this religion. This greeting was deployed to Muslim people whenever and wherever they meet each other, be it place of worship or at social events. Whenever someone greets you with AS SALAM ALE KUM, you can return by saying WaAlaikumSalaam, which means “And unto you peace”.

• Jai Sri Krishna

When you come to Gujarat or visit a Gujarati family, you will come across Jai Sri Krishna. This form of greeting is used by every Gujurati when they meet each other in praise of lord Krishna. In other words, Jai Sri Krishna also means Victory to Krishna. This form of greeting is used by many individuals in many parts of the country.

Be it any form of greeting in India, you are always welcome with a warm smile and positivity. People in India consider guest as their God and you will often come across people saying “AtithidevoBhav”. So, before you visit India, it would be great if you have some knowledge about these greetings to blend with the people of this country.

Visiting the capital of India, Delhi

Delhi is a wonderful city with a fascinating history and a promising future. It’s a city of contrasts, where the old and the new exist simultaneously. It is the place where important decisions are made and what direction this nation of a billion people should take is discussed everyday. Despite having only a fraction of the area of Australia, it has a population comparable to that vast continent-size country. In terms of money, it’s one of the richest cities in India. However, unlike many other big cities, it has managed to preserve its heritage while keeping in pace with the rest of the world.

Map of Delhi

History of Delhi

There is archaeological evidence to suggest people were inhabiting in Delhi as long ago as third millennium BC. There are signs of urban dwellings going back to 6th century BC. From 12th century to until the arrival of the British in 17th century, it was one of the most powerful cities in the world. The English moved the capital to Calcutta (Kolkata). They later changed the capital to Delhi and since then it’s remained the seat of most powerful men and women in South Asia.

Best time to visit Delhi

Delhi is one of the few places where temperatures fluctuate from over 40C in the summers to a little over 0C in the winters. Therefore it’s advisable to visit the city when it’s neither burning or freezing. September, November, February and March are the best months to come to the city.

Places to visit in Delhi

There are tons of places to visit when you are in New Delhi depending on what you want to do. For instance, the area around Jama Masjid is popular among food-junkies, while those interested in historic sites don’t miss the Lal Qila and Connaught Place is the Delhi’s equivalent of Times Square. Here are some of the places tourists generally visit:

(a) Qutub Minar

Qutub Minar

This World Heritage building is the most popular tourist destination in India, attracting over three million visitors a year. The “Minar” (Arabic for “Tower”) is a seven storey tower built more than 800 years ago in twelfth century AD to celebrate Mohammed Ghori’s victory over Rajputs. Back then it was only one-storey tall. More storeys were added to the original structure by other rulers in ensuing years.

(b) Jantar Mantar

Jantar mantar, Delhi

This structure stands in defiance of a common misconception that science is exclusively a European invention. Built in first half of the 18th century this vast sprawl of buildings is an astronomical observatory.

(c) Connaught Place

Tourists, Connaught Place. Source: prolix6x’s photostream

Named after Duke of Connaught, this city centre was constructed back in the late 1930s. It is one of the most important commercial districts in the city and an upmarket area for shopper where they can virtually find anything.

Then there is Chandni Chownk which offers a glimpse into what the old city was like. And there are thousands of other places. We can’t list all of them here, but you can certainly find more information on here on places here to visit Delhi. It is the official website of the Government of Delhi which caters to tourists wishing to visit this wonderful city.

Here are more places to visit in Delhi

How You Can Afford Traveling in College

Traveling is a fascinating and unique experience at any age. It expands your boundaries, exposes you to new lifestyles, and reveals your strengths and weaknesses. Thrown into new environments and situations, you learn to find creative solutions and adjust better to different circumstances. And this is exactly the experience that young students need for their professional and personal advancement.

Truly, there is no better moment to travel than in college days. While you’re still young, full of energy, and daring ambitions, it’s a perfect time to try new things and surmount challenges that inevitably come with any trip abroad. At the same time, with all the costs that accompany college – from paying for accommodation to endless need of buying new stylish outfits – going abroad may be impossible to afford.

Unless you know a few tips to help you work around this problem.

Plan Well Ahead

The earlier you start planning the details of your trip, the more time you’ll have to save money and settle all the matters. As soon as you figure out where you want to travel, you can finally start bringing your plans into life. Your travel expenses will greatly depend on the chosen destination. Make sure you include all the costs, like flight tickets, rent, transfers, local transportation, food, etc. You may notice that a trip to Europe, for instance, looks cheaper due to the relatively low cost of the flight tickets. However, the money you need to afford a week there can cover a month-long stay in Thailand.

Like with pretty much everything in this life, force-majeure situations may happen. Every trip entails unexpected costs. And it is almost the rule when it comes to going to a foreign country where you don’t know a soul. Keeping in mind that you need backup money can help you to get everything covered well in advance. It’s a good idea to save a bit more for emergency cases, so plan to save more than you need.

And Start Saving

If traveling is actually what you long for, make peace with the thought that you need to refuse something to save another dollar. Perhaps, you don’t need that jacket so much, so as those couple of drinks at the bar, a nightly pizza, or a fancier car.

To avoid splurging all your savings for immediate satisfaction, make a deal with your bank, and open a savings account. Alternatively, there is plenty of applications that help you to track your income and spending to convert some into savings.

Monitor Cheap Flight Offerings

If you ask avid travelers, they will tell you they start planning their trips at least 6 months ahead. And this is the first tip of how you can cut costs: buy flight tickets in advance. Also, there are certain days when flights are normally cheaper. For example, most of the air carriers announce their latest deals on Monday evenings, so Tuesday is usually the cheapest day to book and take the flight. However, it may work out pretty well on Wednesdays and Saturdays as well.

Demand plays a crucial role in setting the ticket price. An early morning trip is hard, inconvenient, and often troublesome. And, therefore, the cheapest. Taking a flight at 4 a.m. may be too burdensome for a middle-aged employee. For a student, however, it may turn into an adventure with a would-be good story. It is better to choose off-term months as well as flight providers tend to sell off-season flights at a good discount.

If you are a risk-taker, you can take advantage of the last-minute deal from the airline. Sometimes, flight providers offer tickets that didn’t sell out at a drop price. One caveat, though: you may end up getting nothing.

Flying with American Airlines or Lufthansa may be super comfortable, but is given at an additional cost. The flight with these popular brands may be twice the price of the ticket from the budget air carrier. Additionally, direct flights are usually significantly more expensive. A flight with stopovers can considerably reduce the costs and add one more destination to your itinerary. If you have a visa, of course.

Choose Budget-Friendly Accommodation

Airbnb has already gained popularity all over the world as the most optimal place to stay. Basically, you get a fully-equipped apartment with a small kitchen, where you can cook your own meals and save on eating out. The prices are usually quite reasonable, especially compared to traditional hotel rooms. The cons, however, are that you’ll have to make time for cooking and sometimes cleaning, and there is a chance that the place owner may ignore your calls after you arrive, or come to be a weird person. It’s better to check feedback rather than choose the cheapest bid.

If you don’t mind sharing a room, or you want to make friendships with other travelers, booking a bed in the hostel may be a good idea. Another great way to meet other people, as well as learn more about the local lifestyle, is doing a homestay.

Manage Your Time Wisely

Traveling in college is not always about money issues. For Lucy, it was rather a time-related problem than financial. “Before setting off, I gave a sneak-peak into a few blogs of other student travelers. They gave me a few worthy money-saving tips, as well as an idea of how to make time to travel in college. I decided to buy term paper and submit it a few months before the due date as I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see Europe.” By taking a tough decision to delegate some work, she was able to make her dreams come true.

Communicate

And last but not least, don’t underestimate the power of communication. By interacting with locals, you may get an opportunity to buy something at a fraction of the price, crash at someone’s place for free, or learn about hidden non-touristic spots. Plus, such connections have a chance to grow into life-long friendships.

The Exotic Luxury of India

If you’ve grown tired of lazing on sun loungers and crave a life changing, truly authentic traveling experience then choose India as your next travel destination. Embrace the complete, colorful chaos and plunge head first into one of the most vibrant and exotic cultures planet Earth has to offer.

Although India may sometimes feel like a remote and undiscovered land, Thomas Cook Airlines makes reaching this wonderful place easy, affordable and convenient. Peruse this list of Indian highlights, some world renowned, others more obscure, and we guarantee you’ll be completely inspired and intrigued by this striking land of extremes.

A Worthwhile Wonder

The heartbreakingly romantic history of the Taj Mahal makes it an unmissable marble monument to visit during your stay. You’ll completely understand why this majestic structure is deemed one of the world’s wonders after gazing across the channel of water at sunset, drinking in the remarkable architecture of this mind blowing structure.

Jog Falls

Visit one of India’s most stunning sights by heading down to its highest waterfall, Jog Falls. Although seasoned travelers have seen many a waterfall during previous adventures, this one is completely different. Roaring deluges of water haphazardly stream down the 180 meter gorge, perfectly symbolizing the random chaos of many of India’s cities.

Dizzying Delhi

Traffic screams, aromatic steam billows and residents slalom like frenzied shoals of fish: this is Delhi, the chaotic and kaleidoscopic capital of India. This city with get under your skin and whether you love it or hate, it is a truly unforgettable place. Visit majestic mosques that look like fairy tale castles, escape the frenzy by wandering through serene burial gardens and delve in the city’s turbulent history by visiting the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Like its stunning botanic garden, Delhi is certainly the city of the five senses and a life affirming experience.

Valley of Flowers

Whether a seasoned traveller or a novice adventurer, the Valley on Flowers is a sight guaranteed to blow your mind. Nestled within the Himalayas, this blooming valley looks as though a rainbow has fallen from the sky and set up camp upon the rolling green hills. If you are incredibly lucky, you may ever see a snow leopard or black bear, just a couple of the creatures that call this paradisiacal place home.

A Culinary Adventure

Although you won’t find much of the Tikka Masala or Korma that dominates the menus of Westernized Indian restaurants, authentic Indian cuisine is an absolute delight. The country thrives upon food and the spicy aromas and street food stalls are a ubiquitous banquet for the senses. Sample all of the sumptuous street food you can, ensuring you try sizzling, smoky meat kebabs, spicy samosas fresh from the frying pot and impeccably seasoned succulent crab. All of the major cities in India offer similarly delicious cuisine but Mumbai tops the chart as India’s culinary capital.

So ditch the gripping thriller and beach towel this year and plunge into a truly unforgettable travel adventure by booking your holiday the luxurious land of India today.

Top 5 Delhi Sites for Solo Female Travellers

India is a definite dream destination for many travellers and was mine growing up. Back in 2017, I visited for the first time and promised myself I’d visit many more times. There are many reasons I love India, the vibrant colours, welcoming people, varieties of culture, architecture and of course the food. India will never grow old on me, and for the rest of my life. I’m sure I will have an ever-blossoming love affair with the remarkable country. However, I would like to mention that even though India has some incredible reasons to travel, one in particular, hinders a lot of travellers. That it’ is not a safe country for solo female travellers. I disagree, just like many countries, of course, you have to be wary of your surroundings while travelling in India. However, not everyone is evil or has bad intent.

If you’re travelling around Northern India, it’s most likely you’ll arrive in the capital New Delhi. If not pass through it. Delhi is a city which is so cosmopolitan yet has some old charms in its heart and on its perimeters. From my experience, I feel it’s a great starting point for solo female travellers to visit. Especially as there is so many crowds filled destinations it’s easier to protect yourself from harassment. Based on my experience, I would like to recommend the top 5 Delhi Sites for Solo Female Travellers:

1. Red Fort

The Red Fort is one of the Delhi Sites for Solo Female Travellers. It’s one of the main areas to visit situated in Chandni Chowk. An impressive large fort which was built around the 17th century by Shan Jahan. To date, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you’ll see exactly why when visiting. On the outside, before you enter, there’s lots of greenery and ques for tickets. It’s often the case; you’ll be in a smaller queue as there is a different booth for the foreigners. After some time waiting, you’ll enter the fort. This site attracts many international and domestic tourists. Don’t be surprised if you find many families, couples or individuals trying to approach you for a photograph. If this is the case and you don’t feel open to it, politely decline, and they will leave. What is great for solo female travellers at the Red Fort is that there’s a lot of armed guards who you can report any unwelcome incidents too. They are there to help.

2. Humayun’s Tomb

Another destination I’d recommend visiting is Humayun’s tomb in New Delhi. Any time of day is beautiful to visit, however, if you want to avoid people I’d recommend visiting here early morning. It’s in the centre of everything and easy to reach by tuk-tuk. This monument is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and worth visiting! When I visit, I love the gardens surrounding the tomb. Even though the monument is magnificent in itself, it’s the exterior which fascinates me. Bring a book and sit, relax in the tranquil environment around the tomb. You don’t feel like you’re in the noisy capital!

3. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

Not just any temple, this is a Sikh temple located in Delhi near Connaught Place! As long as you cover your head and remove your shoes, you may enter. This temple-like many is a sacred and special place. For me, I’d say it’s a must-visit and a safe destination too. Once you go inside be mesmerised by the interior, cleanliness and the community. Inside there is also a community kitchen where they provide a free meal.

4. Jama Masjid

Talking about diversity, it’s worth visiting Jama Masjid a mosque in old Delhi. Likewise the second largest mosque in India! It’s built, so it’s facing Mecca and constructed in the 16th century. The architecture of this mosque is simply stunning, being constructed of red sand and white stone marble. While waiting to enter, you’ll be made to pay extra if you have a camera. Likewise, you will have to wear a gown to cover up out of respect. Out of many of the sacred sites in Delhi, this is probably the place I felt the most at ease in.

5. Qutub Minar

A large tower of 73 metres and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is worth visiting and a safe destination. Initially, it was constructed in 1193 Qutab-ud-din Aibak. This site is open seven days a week and fun to walk around its ruins. When I walked around this site, I had goosebumps, sensations all over my body I was in a historic place!

There are many more Delhi sites for Solo Female travellers. However, these sites I’ve visited I felt incredibly safe as a female exploring. What I’d like to mention, is if you encounter any trouble or harassment, there are guards on site. Whom you can report to. Generally, you shouldn’t as these are safe and well visited by many travellers.

Alex is from Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. She’s been travelling the world on and off since the age of seventeen. Currently, on a pit stop operating from Nepal. More about her travels on her website https://extractsofalex.com.