Let's Learn Mewari

Ram-Ram, Sa! / राम-राम सा!

Moving forward, today we are going to learn some more words. In my previous post in this series, we learned the salutation राम-राम! This is the most common salutation though there are several kinds of salutations depending on the faith of interacting people.

Ram-Ram is said in the praise of Lord Rama.
Similarly Jai Shree Krishna / जय श्री कृष्णा is said in the praise of Lord Krishna,
Jain Jinendra / जय जिनेंद्र is said by Jain followers,
Hari Oum / हरी ॐ & Hari Shambhu / Mahadev / हरी शम्भू / महादेव in the praise of respective lords.

One of the more common salutation which you will find only in the land of Rajasthan is:
Khamma Ghanni Sa/ खम्मा घणी सा
This is responded by:
Ghanni Khamma Sa / घणी खम्मा सा or Ghanni Ghanni Khamma Sa / घणी घणी खम्मा सा

Coloquially, it just means Greetings or Many many greetings!

Ghani means "a lot" or "many"
Khamma doesn't mean anything but some believe it to mean as "forgiveness" because of similarity with the word Kshama / क्षमा.

Historically, it refers to the brave 8th century ruler of Chittaurgarh in Mewar Bappar Rawal and his three descendent named Rawal Khumaan -I, Rawal Khumaan -II & Rawal Khumaan -IIII. Because of these valiant Rajput rulers there was a very peaceful period for about 3 centuries . So people used to say Ghanni Ghanni Khamma for wishing many many Khumaans to the kingdom. Even young people from Rajput family were referred as Kunwar and greeted as Khuman ra kunwar ne ghanni ghanni khamma (खुमाण रा कुंवर ने घणी घणी खम्मा!) implying the public's wish "may we be blessed with many a Khumaans!"

Some even tell that the word Khamma refers to another valiant Rajput ruler named Rana Kumbha / राणा कुम्भा.

But whatever the story is, in present times Khamma Ghanni is a popular term used for greetings in general and replaces the word "Namaste / नमस्ते" in Rajasthan.

Hope this is enough for today. Will be back soon with some more interesting words.

Jai Mewar! / जय मेवाड़!