Namaste

Namaste (, Devanagari: नमस्ते, Sanskrit pronunciation: [nɐmɐst̪eː] (listen)), sometimes spoken as namaskar and namaskaram, is a Hindu customary, non-contact form of respectfully greeting and honoring the opposite person or group, used at any time of day

Today, it is found on the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, among the Indian diaspora and elsewhere

The gesture (but not the term namaste for it) is widely used as a greeting in the parts of Southeast Asia where Indian religions are strong

Namaste is usually 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; the standing posture incorporating it is pranamasana