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. In the picture is a Mohiniattam dancer making a Namaste gesture.