1. Welcome

2. Welcome = Swagat or Swagatam Su - Goodness Aatam – Coming of
Coming of goodness or well being

3. Namaste
Namaste – Greetings - is used all times and is the most popular form of greeting in India. Other forms are salam, namaskaram and so on.
Namaste coined from two sanskrit words: Namah + Te
I bow to you, I prostrate before you
I negate my ego in front of others

4. Guest Atithi – coined from two sanskrit words: a + tithi
Tithi – denotes the calendrical date
Atithi – without calendricial date – a person who arrives suddenly without any prearranged program, which is gradually evolved into a cultural code of conduct for treating guest – Thus we have this saying : Atithi Devo Bhavah and became the procedure for the host-guest relationship.
Devo /Deva – God
Bhavah – Be it.

5. The Garland
Flower garlands are generally offered as a mark of respect and honour. They are offered to welcome the visitors or in honour to the Gods and Goddesses.

6. For welcoming guests, for religious ceremonies etc
The Aarti
For welcoming guests, for religious ceremonies etc

7. Tilak
Tilak is a ritual mark on the forehead a sign of blessing , greeting or auspiciousness. Made of vermilion (kumkum).
It is applied on the spot between the brows which is considered the seat of latent wisdom and mental concentration. This is the spot which governs all our thoughts and actions. Putting the tilak on the guest’s forehead entreats him or her to concentrate on this spot.
The same custom is also followed while bidding farewell to guests .

8. Camphor Burns and leaves no residue,
Burning of ones ego/desires and seeks oneness with God or Brahman

9. OM OM IS THE PRIMODIAL SOUND THAT PERVADES THE ENTIRE COSMOS
OM REPRESENTS THE HOLY TRINITY
A – BRAHMA - CREATOR
U – VISHNU- PRESERVER, MAINTENANCE
M – MAHESH OR SHIVA - DESTROYER

10. Lighting a Lamp Why do we light a lamp?
Lamp as a symbol of remover of darkness
Light – symbol of knowledge
Darkness – symbolic of ignorance

11. EACH REPRESENTING ONE OF THE FIVE SENSES OF HUMAN BODY AND BURNING OF
FIVE POUTS – FIVE ELEMENTS IN THE UNIVERSE - Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether – AND 5 FORMS OF RITUALS
IDOLS, BATHING, FIRE RITUALS (HOMAS), RECITATION (MANTRA) AND MEDITATION
EACH REPRESENTING ONE OF THE
FIVE SENSES OF HUMAN BODY
AND BURNING OF
FIVE DESIRES OR VASANAS
CAMPHOR LEAVES NO RESIDUE, THE SAME WAY THE EGO IS BURNED TO CLEANSE ONES SOUL AND BECOME ONE WITH THE BRAHMAN

12. Upanishadic chant ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA TAMASO MA JYOTIR GAMAYA
MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA
OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI.

13. LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE
ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM UNREAL TO REAL
TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM DEATH TO IMMORTALITY
OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI
LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE

14. CREATION, PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION ARE CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIESOM
AUM
CREATION, PRESERVATION AND DESTRUCTION ARE CONTINUOUS ACTIVITIES
SHANTI – PEACE

15. LEARNING TEACHER – GURU GU –DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE
RU – REMOVER OR THE ONE WHO SHOWS U THE RIGHT PATH

16. GURU – SHISHYA Teacher - Student
TEACHER – DISCIPLE RELATIONSHIP
Born of out relationship both the inner and outer experience till he/she realises one’s potential and talents. In the course of achieving this transforming experience, the guru holds a special place.
Now we will chant hymn Lord Budha taught, meanwhile each of you will light a lamp.

17. LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE
ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM UNREAL TO REAL
TAMASO MA JYOTIRGAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
MRYTOR MA AMRITAM GAMAYA –
LEAD ME FROM DEATH TO IMMORTALITY
OM SHANTI, SHANTI, SHANTI HI
LET THERE BE PEACE PEACE, AND ONLY PEACE