It literally means our guest is our god.

It is a Sanskrit verse taken from ancient mythological Indian scriptures which was stated by wise and learned people. This phrase portraits the host-guest relationship.

Since ancient era, the gesture of serving guest is in plethora in every single Indian.

Just counter-clockwise your time needles to the oldest decades and the similar scenario is visible. For instance:

Lord Ram when reached the house of a poor old lady called Shabri, she overwhelmed on the arrival of her most awaited guest. Shabri filled the path with flowers and brought berries for him. Before serving berries to lord Ram, Shabri tasted them first. If the berry was sweet, Shabri served it to lord Ram, otherwise threw them away.

This gesture of Shabri reveals her selfless love and respect for her guest.

Another incident which limelight this concept was finalized by lord Krishna himself. His childhood crony Sudama, who was very poor, came to meet him and seek some help. Lord Krishna welcomed Sudama. He washed his legs, wiped them with towel and shared dinner with him. At the time of his departure, lord Krishna bestowed him with wealth and luxuries.

This act of lord Krishna drowns all the unseen walls of discrimination and creates a humble bridge between the host and a guest.

The above mentioned acts are just little drops from the infinite ocean of this kind attitude which are filtered to clear you the picture of this feeling.

With the onset of civilization in India-eras and decades, rulers and religions have changed but the mindset of considering our guest as god is still stagnant and will never change in this country.
Finally, it became the code of conduct for the modern India. Campaigns are held and supported by the Indian Tourism Department under the theme-The Incredible India. Superstar Aamir Khan is moving ahead shoulder to shoulder with the Tourism Department in this divine act.

Like, when the sugar falls, ants gather around it; so is the affection and respectful love of Indians that attracts the tourists. This concept builds the bridges between Indians and the tourists.

ATITHI DEVO BHAVA-this is the integral part of our Indian culture and we'll keep it alive.

WELCOME TO THE LAND OF CULTURE-INDIA