Culture 101: The Fine Art of Namaste
Namaste is a traditional South Asian greeting of respect and a common cultural practice in India. It involves a slight bow with hands pressed together, palms touching, and fingers pointing upwards, known as the Añjali Mudrā. The term originates from Sanskrit, combining ‘namas’ meaning ‘bow’ or ‘obeisance’ and ‘te’ meaning ‘to you’, thus translating to ‘I bow to you’. This gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another, embodying the belief that the divine resides within every individual. Image source: Wikipedia