India has always been loved for the way she treats her guests. Here at Jiva, we treat our guests to the time-honoured rituals of welcome, greeting and farewell with which the country has captured many a visitor´s heart.

The rituals at our spas reflect the essence of ancient Indian wisdom and culture. We greet our guests with “Namaste” meaning “I bow to you” in Sanskrit - with our head bowed and hands folded. It also has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one’s ego in the presence of another. The true meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. Hence “Namaste also means “May our minds meet”. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility.

The foot bath has traditionally been performed as a sign of respect, before welcoming guests over the threshold. We recreate this endearing ritual, washing our guests feet in a bath made from essential oils, ginger and fennel.

Anointing and garlanding is another custom that shows guests how much their visit has been appreciated, and wishes them well on their way out. As you walk out of our doors, we bid farewell with a garland of fragrant flowers.