The anjali hasta is a hand gesture (hasta) in Indian dance, sculpture, and ritual in which the palms of both hands are linked together with the fingers facing upward, sometimes with the base of the thumbs resting on the chest.
- Respect and sincere dedication are shown by this gesture.
- This is also the most popular welcome and salutation gesture in contemporary India.
Because traditional Indian culture was (and to some degree still is) so concerned with cleanliness, it's no surprise that this greeting may communicate respect without forcing one to touch another person, which might spread impurity (ashaucha).
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