Nataraja Abhishekam

About Nataraja Abhishekam

Nataraja Abhishekam, the ceremonial bathing of the deity, is a powerful ritual that purifies and energizes both the participants and the environment. Through this sacred ritual, devotees offer their reverence and devotion, seeking blessings for inner harmony, spiritual awakening, and liberation from worldly bondages.

Nataraja is shown with a raised left leg while His right foot crushes the demon of ignorance thereby highlighting His mastery over evil, desires and air. He holds his right palm in the Abhaya Hasta posture as a sign of protecting His devotees. He also has control over the five elements through His damaru (space), rested foot (earth), Ganges from His hair locks (water), a pot of flame in His hand (fire) and His flowing hair (air).

The ecstatic dance of Nataraja represents the movement in all particles, which in turn is the reason for the universe to exist. It is also portrayed as the source of energy in all particle and depicts the never-ending cycle of five major activities of Creation, Destruction, Protection, Embodiment or Incarnation and Release that are collectively known as the pancha kritya.