Unless you have already been exposed to one, let me tell you something about the Great Indian Welcome Ceremony (yes, it qualifies for being called a ‘ceremony’).

When we sing “Padhaaro Mhaare Des” (a popular welcome song in the state of Rajasthan meaning 'Welcome to our land’ ) for you, we seriously mean it. While you stand holding a blank, polite smile on your face, staring at your interpreter for an explanation, we are working on something much more meaningful. We are initiating the process of an exquisite soirée, never before experienced; and definitely most unexpected.

Did you expect a handshake as a welcome? Try concealing your amazement as you are welcomed right at the entrance of your hotel with a garland to be put around your neck, a ‘tika’ for your forehead (a mark made on the forehead with vermillion & sandalwood paste), and a plate with a lit oil lamp being circulated around your face multiple times.

Was it a chair you expected to sit on? What you will most probably get is a mini-throne. Was it a glass of water you expected on arrival? Well, don’t be surprised if you get a welcome drink, followed by popular Indian snacks (most likely fried), and at least one Indian sweet.

‘Atithidevo Bhava’ - our mantra which means Guest = God. It is a verse from an ancient Hindu scripture, which has over time become one of the country’s cultural code of conduct.

Never should a guest leave dissatisfied! So, please expect special arrangements to be made for you every now and then while you are here. If you’re lucky, your hotel booking might magically be upgraded to a suite. While a picture is clicked with you, the ‘taken for granted’ crew is expected to wait patiently for the international star (which is you) to get free from the barrage of love coming your way.

The grandeur of the welcome however may vary, depending on the size of the place you visit, but there is surely no dearth in magnanimity. Smaller towns with infrequent tourists are often more eager to display their courtesy. Wherever you go, be it cities or villages, please be prepared to be offered water since that is a standard way of welcoming guests into our homes.

If offered food, we leave it to you to say a NO to your ultra-courteous host considering your poor stomach may be too delicate for the tangy Indian spices, the excess oil and/or the possibly unfiltered water? Well, all the best as you work on that! Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Even with the sheepish grins our team sometimes give our foreign clients in response to the bewildered looks on their faces while they are being welcomed with such grandeur, our heart often swells with pride, seeing the extent to which we go to ensure that our guests are well taken care of.

We may be elaborate, we may be ceremonial, we may be overwhelming, but what you will certainly find is that we are not inhospitable.

And for those of our international clients who are yet to experience the Great Indian Welcome, well….’Padhaaro Mhaare Des’!