Namaste is the common greeting and farewell in every part of India except Tamil Nadu. It is derived from the word namas (from the root nam, to bow) and te (to you). Thus it is understood as “obei-sance,” “homage,” or “salutation.” It is said to mean “I honor the god that is within you.” If one wishes to be slightly more formal, one says “Namaskar,” with essentially the same meaning. The statement “Namaste” is accompanied, usually, by a gesture placing the palms of the hands together in front of one. (Even in Indian areas where the word namaste is not used, this gesture is found.)
Further reading: C. J. Fuller, The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1992); Richard Lannoy, The Speaking Tree: A Study of Indian Culture and Society (New York: Oxford University Press, 1974).
Encyclopedia of Hinduism. A. Jones and James D. Ryan. 2007.