Bali pitha
A bali pitha (Template:Lang-sa) is the sacrificial altar of a Hindu temple. It is generally built in the shape of a blossoming lotus erected near the main entrance of a temple.[1] Offerings of riceballs, referred to as pinda, are made by adherents upon a bali pitha.[2][3]
Etymology
Bali pitha is a Sanskrit compound word: Bali refers to the ritual offering made to propitiate a given deity,[4] whereas pīṭham means seat.[5]
Description
After the emergence of Puranic Hinduism, the size of Hindu temples expanded to include the bali pitha, accompanied by a dhvajastambha (flagstaff) located at the porch.[6] A bali pitha is commonly constructed with a lotiform altar placed upon a stone platform. The lotiform altar is also made of stone, comprising a square base, upon which a structure resembling an inverted cup with lotus markings bearing eight petals widen towards the base, and a flattened round top.[7]
A bali pitha is sometimes imprinted by the footprints of a given deity. Sindura (vermillion powder) is placed upon the structure during the performance of rituals, representing the ceremonial feeding of attendant deities.[8] The altar is also regarded to symbolise the sacrifice of the ego and desires before entrance within the temple.[9]
References
- ^ Princeton University Press, New Jersy. The Art Of Indian Asia ( Its Mythology And Transformations) Vol. 1 By Heinrich Zimmer, Edited By Joseph Campbell, Bollingen Series 39 Princeton University Press, New Jersy. pp. 287–288.
- ^ Stutley, Margaret (2019-04-09). The Illustrated Dictionary of Hindu Iconography. Routledge. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-429-62425-4.
- ^ Keul, István (2017-02-06). Consecration Rituals in South Asia. BRILL. p. 115. ISBN 978-90-04-33718-3.
- ^ Ben-Herut, Gil; Keune, Jon; Monius, Anne E. (2019-07-19). Regional Communities of Devotion in South Asia: Insiders, Outsiders, and Interlopers. Routledge. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-351-02336-8.
- ^ Mehta, Tarla (1995). Sanskrit Play Production in Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 273. ISBN 978-81-208-1057-0.
- ^ Eraly, Abraham (2014-05-01). The First Spring Part 2: Culture in the Golden Age of India. Penguin Books Limited. p. 312. ISBN 978-93-5118-646-5.
- ^ Hiltebeitel, Alf (1988). The Cult of Draupadi, Volume 2: On Hindu Ritual and the Goddess. University of Chicago Press. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-226-34047-0.
- ^ Bhattacharyya, Ashim Kumar (February 2006). Hindu Dharma: Introduction to Scriptures and Theology. iUniverse. p. 200. ISBN 978-0-595-38455-6.
- ^ Swahananda, Swami (2023-01-20). Hindu Symbols. Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 27.