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Traditional Method To Welcome A Guest As Per Hinduism

Arrival of guest is considered highly auspicious in Hinduism. All Hindu scriptures contain information on how to welcome a guest. A classic example of how a guest is to be welcomed is mentioned in the Bala Kanda chapter 1 (2). Here, Sage Valmiki welcomes Brahma, the creator, to his ashram.

Upon the arrival of the guest one should stand up and join hands in salutation (Namaste).

Then the guest should be offered water to wash feet. Then water to wash face and mouth. Then water to drink and finally a seat to sit. The Sanskrit terms are padya (washing feet), achamaniya (water to wash mouth), arghya (water to drink) and asana (seat to sit). Please note that as per some texts, arghya is a gift. But generally it is taken as water to drink.