Offering Khata

Offering khata -The Meaning of Offering Khata.

Its main colour is white, symbolizing the pure heart of the giver, though it is also quite common to find yellow-gold, blue and red khata as well.  It is an ancient custom to bring a Khata when visiting a temple, shrine, guru, or teacher. This is a way of showing gratitude for the kindness of your teacher and the gems of their teachings.

It is a Tibetan custom to offer a khata or greeting scarf to friends, relatives or guests as a way of indicating our honorable intentions, and wishes of happiness. When given as a farewell gesture it symbolizes a safe journey. When given to arriving guests it symbolizes warmly welcome

At Tibetan weddings, guests offer khatas to the bride and groom.

Normally in Khata there are Buddhist Eight Auspicious Symbols printed; — a parasol, a pair of fishes, a treasure vase, a lotus flower, a conch shell, an endless knot, a victory banner, and a golden wheel — represent the offerings made to Shakyamuni Buddha upon his enlightenment.

People usually fold the khata into a double layer and hold it with two hands above their head when they offer to respected and honored people, such as the Buddha, a parent, teachers and elders.