Customs+and+Traditions

Namaskar The most popular form of greeting in India is Namaskar or Namaste. It is a salutation used to welcome somebody and also to say farewell. Namaskar is when both palms are placed together and raised below the face. It is believed that both hands represent one mind or 'the self meeting the self'. These are some other forms of greeting associated with communities and regions in India: (Greeting - community associated with greeting) Sat-sri-akal - Sikhs Adaab - Muslims Vannakkam - Tamilians Juley - Laddhakis Tashi Delag - Sikkimese

Tilak Tilak is the ritual mark on the forehead. It is usually made from red vermilion paste or sandalwood paste. The mark is a sign of blessing, greeting or auspiciousness(promising success, favoured by fortune, prosperous). The reason the tilak is applied in between the brows is because it is considered the place of wisdom and mental concentration, and is also very important for worship. It is said that it, the tilak, governs all thoughts and actions of a person. The placing on the head of this red mark symbolizes the opening of the 'third eye'. All ceremonies of the Hindus begin with a few grains of rice placed on the tilak with either the index finger or the thumb. This custom is also followed when welcoming or bidding farewell to guests or relitives.

Garlanding Flower garlands are offered to welcome visitors and they are a mark of respect and honour. They are generally made with white jasmine and orange marigold flowers. The flowers are weaved in thread and tied together with rope.