Atithi Devo Bhava, also spelt Atithidevo Bhava (Sanskrit: अतिथिदेवो भव), English translation: A guest is akin to God, prescribes a dynamic of the host-guest relationship, which embodies the traditional Indian Hindu-Buddhist philosophy of revering guests with the same respect as a 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 everyone.
The five steps from the worship become the five formalities to be observed while receiving guests: India attracts millions of tourists each year.
[2] "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 provides training and orientation to taxi driver, guides, immigration officers, police, and other personnel who interact directly with the tourist.