<P> An even less common variant is used in the case of two people being addressed, namely, Namo vām, which is a combination of namaḥ and the enclitic 2nd person dual pronoun vām . </P> <P> Excavations for Indus civilization have revealed many male and female terracotta figures in Namaste posture . These archaeological findings are dated to be between 3000 BC to 2000 BC . </P> <P> The gesture is widely used throughout India, Nepal, Bangladesh, parts of Asia and beyond where people of South and Southeast Asian origins have migrated . Namaste or namaskar is used as a respectful form of greeting, acknowledging and welcoming a relative, guest or stranger . In some contexts, namaste is used by one person to express gratitude for assistance offered or given, and to thank the other person for his or her generous kindness . </P> <P> Namaskar is also part of the 16 upacharas used inside temples or any place of formal Puja (worship). Namaste in the context of deity worship, scholars conclude, has the same function as in greeting a guest or anyone else . It expresses politeness, courtesy, honor, and hospitality from one person to the other . It is used in goodbyes as well . This is sometimes expressed, in ancient Hindu scriptures such as Taittiriya Upanishad, as Atithi Devobhava (literally, may the guest be god). </P>

What's the meaning of namaste in india