होना in allen Formen: sein, werden, geschehen

Three readings

The middle one is the one learners miss. है states a fact about now; होता है states a general truth or a habit, and it is what you use for climate, customs and rules.

• यहाँ बहुत भीड़ होती है। - It gets very crowded here. (generally)
• यहाँ बहुत भीड़ है। - It's very crowded here. (right now)

हो जाना for a change of state

• खाना ठंडा हो गया। - The food has gone cold.
• देर हो गई। - It's got late.