Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/, nah-məs-tay; Hindi: नमस्ते; Hindi: [nəməsteː] ( listen)), sometimes expressed as Namaskar or Namaskaram, is a customary greeting when people meet or depart. It is commonly found among people of the Indian Subcontinent and Nepal. Namaste is spoken with a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointing upwards, thumbs close to the chest. This gesture is called Añjali Mudrā or Pranamasana.
Namaste, sometimes spoken as Namaskar or Namaskaram, is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a relative, guest or stranger. Namaskar is mostly used in India. It is used with goodbyes as well. It is typically spoken and simultaneously performed with the palms touching gesture, but it may also be spoken without acting it out or performed wordlessly; all three carry the same meaning. This cultural practice of salutation and valediction originated in the Indian Subcontinent.