Asian origins have migrated. Namaste is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a relative, guest or stranger. In some contexts, namaste is used by one person to express gratitude for assistance offered or given, and to thank the other person for his or her generous kindness. Namaskar is also part of the 16 upacharas used inside temples or any place of formal Puja (worship). Namaste in the context of deity worship, scholars conclude, has the same function as in greeting a guest or anyone else. It expresses politeness, courtesy, honor, and hospitality from one person to the other. It is used in goodbyes as well. This is sometimes expressed, in ancient Hindu scriptures such as Taittiriya Upanishad, as Atithi Devo Bhava (literally, treat the guest like a god). Namaste is one of the six forms of pranama, and in parts of India these terms are used synonymously. Since namaste is a non-contact form of greeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested using the gesture as an alternative to hand shaking during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic as a means to prevent the spread of the virus. Gallery See also Culture of India Pranāma Sat Sri Akal Gassho Sampeah Sembah Wai References External links The Meaning of Namaste Yoga Journal Saying goodbye in different languages- Namaste Modes of Greetings in Kashmiri, Indian Institute of Language Studies Ancient Indus Valley Seal print showing Namaste/anjali mudra, CSU Chico Bowing Cultural conventions Greetings Gestures of respect Greeting words and phrases Greeting words and phrases of India Greeting words and phrases of Nepal Hand gestures Human communication Indian traditions Mudras Phrases Parting phrases Salutes Traditions Nepali words and phrases