Talk:Balipiṭha
By Swami Harshananda
Balipiṭha literally mean ‘pedestal for offering’.
Balipīṭha or a pedestal where balis or food offerings are made, is an essential part of a temple. Situated usually near the dhvajastambha or the flagpost, but nearer the shrine, it is a raised platform made of stone, the height being generally one-eighth that of the garbhagṛha or the sanctum sactorum. Materials other than stone, like metal, mud or bricks, may also be used.
The balipiṭha may be square, rectangular, octagonal, sixteen-sided or circular. It will have several tiers, each tier providing space for a particular class of celestial beings like the dikpālas (guardian deities of the quarters), apsarās (celestial nymphs), piśācas (goblins) and so on, to receive the food offered.
After the main deity is served with naivedya or food, the priests begin a procession for feeding the guardian deities and minor deities. The first one to receive the offering is the ‘balibera’ or the movable metallic image, which is then carried in the procession. After circum-ambulating the main deity, the food offering is kept on the balipiṭha. Balis or food-offerings are given only in the temple worship and not in the worship at home.
References[edit]
- The Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Swami Harshananda, Ram Krishna Math, Bangalore