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{{Short description|Hindu mantra}}


'''Atithi Devo Bhava''', also spelled ''Atithidevo Bhava'' {{lang-sa|अतिथिदेवो भव:))}}, English transliteration: ''You become the one who considers that Guests are equivalent to God''), prescribes a dynamic of the host–guest relationship, which embodies the traditional [[Indian religions|Indian Hindu-Buddhist philosophy]] of revering guests with same respect as god. This concept of going out of the way to treat guests with reverence goes even beyond the traditional Hindu-Buddhist common greeting of [[namaste]] (I bow to the divinity in you) used for every one.
'''Atithidevo Bhava''' ({{langx|sa|अतिथिदेवो भव}}), translated as ''A guest is akin to God'', embodies the traditional [[Indian religions|Indian Hindu-Buddhist philosophy]] of treating guests with the reverence accorded to deities.


The mantras are from the [[Taittiriya Upanishad]], Shikshavalli I.11.2, which says: ''matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, acharyadevo bhava, atithidevo bhava''. It literally means "be one for whom the Mother is God, be one for whom the Father is God, be one for whom the Teacher is God, be one for whom the guest is God". ''matrudevah, pitrudevah, acharyadevah, atithidevah'' are one word each, and each one is a [[Bahuvrihi]] ''samasta-pada''.
== Etymology and Common Misspelling ==
 
The phrase ''Atithidevo Bhava'' is derived from the Sanskrit words:
 
''Atithi'' (अतिथि) – meaning ''guest''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/atithi |title=Atithi |website=Wisdom Library |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>
 
''Deva'' (देव) – meaning ''god''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/deva |title=Deva |website=Wisdom Library |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>
 
''Bhava'' (भव) – meaning ''to become'' or ''to consider as''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/bhava |title=Bhava |website=Wisdom Library |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>
 
A common misspelling of this phrase is ''Atithi Devo Bhava'', which incorrectly inserts a space between ''Atithi'' and ''Devo'', altering the intended grammatical structure in Sanskrit. However, this incorrect spelling has gained popularity, particularly due to its usage in tourism campaigns and media.
 
== Origin in Upanishads ==
 
The mantra originates from the [[Taittiriya Upanishad]], Shikshavalli I.11.2, which states:<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbe15/sbe15017.htm |title=The Taittiriya Upanishad |website=Sacred Texts |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>
 
: ''मातृदेवो भव, मित्रदेवो भव, पितृदेवो भव, पुत्रदेवो भव, आचार्यदेवो भव, अतिथिदेवो भव''
 
This translates to:
 
: ''Be one for whom the Mother is God, be one for whom the Friend is God, be one for whom the Father is God, be one for whom the Child is God, be one for whom the Teacher is God, and be one for whom the Guest is God.''
 
Each of these phrases (''Mātṛdevo bhava'', ''Mitradevo bhava'', ''Pitṛdevo bhava'', ''Putradevo bhava'', ''Ācāryadevo bhava'', and ''Atithidevo bhava'') is a single word formed as a [[Bahuvrihi]] ''samāsa'' (compound word).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sanskritdictionary.com/bahuvrihi/|title=Bahuvrihi Compound|website=Sanskrit Dictionary|access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>


== Ritual or Puja ==
== Ritual or Puja ==
In [[Hinduism/Sanatana Dharma]] personal God is worshipped in a five-step worship; this is known as ''Panchopchara Puja''. The "Shodashopchar Poojan" is more elaborate and formal, and involves 16 steps.


The five steps from the worship become the five formalities to be observed while receiving guests:
In [[Sanātana Dharma|Sanatana Dharma]], a personal deity is worshipped through a five-step ritual called ''Panchopachara Puja''. A more elaborate version, ''Shodashopachara Puja'', consists of 16 steps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ignca.gov.in/online-digital-resources/e-books-and-journals/puja-vidhi/ |title=Puja Vidhi |publisher=IGNCA |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref> The five steps of worship translate into essential formalities when receiving guests:
# Fragrance ([[Dhupa]]) – While receiving guests, the rooms must have a pleasant fragrance, because this is the first thing that attracts or detracts guests from their visit. A pleasant fragrance will put a guest in good humour.
 
# Lamp ([[Dipa]]) – Prior to the electrification of India, a lamp was put between host and guest, so that expression and body language would remain clearly visible, and therefore no gap would be created between host and guest.
Fragrance ([[Dhupa]]) – Ensuring the room has a pleasant aroma creates a welcoming environment.
# Eatables ([[Naivedya]]) – Fruits and sweets made of milk were offered to guests.
 
# Rice ([[Akshata]]) – It is a symbol of being undivided. A ''[[Tilaka|tilak]]'', often made of a vermilion paste, is put on the forehead,<ref>[http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-traditions/tilak.html Tikak], I Love India. Retrieved February 3, 2011.</ref> and rice grains are placed on it. This is the highest form of welcome in Hindu Indian families.
Lamp ([[Deepa|Dipa]]) – Traditionally, a lamp was placed between the host and guest to illuminate expressions and body language.
# Flower offering ([[Pushpa (disambiguation)|Pushpa]]) – A flower is a gesture of good will. When the guest departs, the flower symbolizes the sweet memories of the visit, which stay with them for several days.
 
Eatables ([[Naivedya]]) – Offering guests fruits, sweets, or milk-based dishes.
 
Rice ([[Akshata]]) – Applying a ''Tilaka'', often made of vermilion, on the guest’s forehead with rice grains symbolizes unity.
 
Flower offering ([[Pushpa (disambiguation)|Pushpa]]) – Presenting a flower as a token of goodwill, symbolizing sweet memories of the visit.
 
== Government of India Campaign ==


== Campaign by the Government of India ==
India attracts millions of tourists annually.<ref name="TourismStats">{{Cite web |url=https://tourism.gov.in/ |title=Ministry of Tourism, Government of India |website=tourism.gov.in |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref> To enhance the experience of foreign visitors, the Indian Ministry of Tourism launched the '''Atithi Devo Bhava''' campaign under the broader theme of ''[[Incredible India]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.incredibleindia.org/ |title=Incredible India |website=Incredible India |access-date=2023-10-27}}</ref>
India attracts millions of tourists each year. To further enhance the number of tourists traveling to India, the Tourism Department of India started the ''Atithi Devo Bhava'' campaign with the theme [[Incredible India]].<ref name="customer">{{cite web |title=Atithi Devo Bhavah |url=http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/atithidevobhava.htm |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103003844/http://www.incredibleindia.org/newsite/atithidevobhava.htm |archivedate=2009-01-03 |accessdate=2008-12-08 |website=Incredible India}}</ref>


"Atithi Devo Bhava" is a social awareness campaign that aims at providing the inbound tourist a greater sense of being welcomed to the country. The campaign targets the general public, while focusing mainly on the stakeholders of the tourism industry. The campaign provides training and orientation to taxi driver, guides, immigration officers, police, and other personnel who interact directly with the tourist.<ref name=customer/>
The campaign focuses on promoting hospitality values among tourism industry stakeholders such as taxi drivers, tour guides, immigration officers, and police personnel. It aims to ensure that tourists feel safe, welcomed, and respected throughout their stay in India.


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[Culture of India]]
* [[Culture of India]]
*[[Puja (Hinduism)]]
* [[Hospitality]]
*[[Hospitality]]
* [[Incredible India]]
* [[Puja (Hinduism)]]
* [[Stranded in India]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Indian hospitality]]
[[Category:Culture of India]]
[[Category:Tourism in India]]
[[Category:Tourism in India]]
[[Category:Ministry of Tourism (India)]]
[[Category:Ministry of Tourism (India)]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]
[[Category:Hindu practices]]
[[Category:Hindu practices]]

Latest revision as of 06:46, 1 December 2025


Atithidevo Bhava (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.), translated as A guest is akin to God, embodies the traditional Indian Hindu-Buddhist philosophy of treating guests with the reverence accorded to deities.

Etymology and Common Misspelling[edit | edit source]

The phrase Atithidevo Bhava is derived from the Sanskrit words:

Atithi (अतिथि) – meaning guest[1]

Deva (देव) – meaning god[2]

Bhava (भव) – meaning to become or to consider as[3]

A common misspelling of this phrase is Atithi Devo Bhava, which incorrectly inserts a space between Atithi and Devo, altering the intended grammatical structure in Sanskrit. However, this incorrect spelling has gained popularity, particularly due to its usage in tourism campaigns and media.

Origin in Upanishads[edit | edit source]

The mantra originates from the Taittiriya Upanishad, Shikshavalli I.11.2, which states:[4]

मातृदेवो भव, मित्रदेवो भव, पितृदेवो भव, पुत्रदेवो भव, आचार्यदेवो भव, अतिथिदेवो भव

This translates to:

Be one for whom the Mother is God, be one for whom the Friend is God, be one for whom the Father is God, be one for whom the Child is God, be one for whom the Teacher is God, and be one for whom the Guest is God.

Each of these phrases (Mātṛdevo bhava, Mitradevo bhava, Pitṛdevo bhava, Putradevo bhava, Ācāryadevo bhava, and Atithidevo bhava) is a single word formed as a Bahuvrihi samāsa (compound word).[5]

Ritual or Puja[edit | edit source]

In Sanatana Dharma, a personal deity is worshipped through a five-step ritual called Panchopachara Puja. A more elaborate version, Shodashopachara Puja, consists of 16 steps.[6] The five steps of worship translate into essential formalities when receiving guests:

Fragrance (Dhupa) – Ensuring the room has a pleasant aroma creates a welcoming environment.

Lamp (Dipa) – Traditionally, a lamp was placed between the host and guest to illuminate expressions and body language.

Eatables (Naivedya) – Offering guests fruits, sweets, or milk-based dishes.

Rice (Akshata) – Applying a Tilaka, often made of vermilion, on the guest’s forehead with rice grains symbolizes unity.

Flower offering (Pushpa) – Presenting a flower as a token of goodwill, symbolizing sweet memories of the visit.

Government of India Campaign[edit | edit source]

India attracts millions of tourists annually.[7] To enhance the experience of foreign visitors, the Indian Ministry of Tourism launched the Atithi Devo Bhava campaign under the broader theme of Incredible India.[8]

The campaign focuses on promoting hospitality values among tourism industry stakeholders such as taxi drivers, tour guides, immigration officers, and police personnel. It aims to ensure that tourists feel safe, welcomed, and respected throughout their stay in India.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Atithi". Wisdom Library. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  2. ↑ "Deva". Wisdom Library. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  3. ↑ "Bhava". Wisdom Library. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  4. ↑ "The Taittiriya Upanishad". Sacred Texts. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  5. ↑ "Bahuvrihi Compound". Sanskrit Dictionary. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  6. ↑ "Puja Vidhi". IGNCA. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  7. ↑ "Ministry of Tourism, Government of India". tourism.gov.in. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
  8. ↑ "Incredible India". Incredible India. Retrieved 2023-10-27.
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