Namaste (/ˈnɑːməsteɪ/, nah-məs-tay; Nepali: नमस्ते Bengali: नमोस्कार Hindi: [nəməsteː] (
listen)), nah-məs-tay), sometimes spoken as Namaskar or Namaskaram, is a respectful form of greeting in Hindu custom, found on the Indian subcontinent mainly in India and Nepal and among the Indian diaspora. It is used both for salutation and valediction.[1][2] 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 or Pranamasana.[3] In Hinduism it means “I bow to the divine in you”.[4][5] The greeting may also be spoken without the gesture or the gesture performed wordlessly, carrying the same meaning.