|
|
Nataraja Dance Maharashtra
Category :- All India Travel Tourism > Culture
> Dance > Nataraja
 One of the most enduring symbols
of India is the figure of Nataraja - Shiva, the King of Dancers . Shiva's
cosmic dance is believed to encompass creation, preservation, and destruction
and this idea has been embedded in Hindu thought and ritual since the dawn
of civilisation.
He holds a small drum (damaru) in his upper right hand. His lower
right hand shows the fear-negating gesture (abhaya), his upper
left hand is in half-moon pose (ardhachandramudra) which holds
a tongue of flame which is the fire(agni) that finally destroys
the world and is then quenched in cosmic waters. Thus the hand holding
the drum and the one holding fire balance the forces of creation and destruction.
The second left arm is held gracefully across the chest (gajahastamudra)
with the hand pointing to the uplifted foot, denoting favour or grace
for the devotee. One foot rests on Apasmara or Mauyalka, the embodiment
of human cruelty and ignorance. Surrounding Shiva's figure and emanating
from him is an immense aureole of flames (prabhamandala) representing
the vital processes of nature, sustained by the tremendous energy of the
dancing God within.
The flames represent the transcendental power of wisdom and truth, as
well as the mantra 'Om' which signifies the totality of creation. Also
known as the Ananda Tandava, this dance is a metaphor for the belief that
life is essentially a dynamic balancing of good and bad, where opposites
are interdependent. The dance of Shiva is the dance of life.
| Contact All India Travel Tourism for Any India Travel Services by Using This Enquiry Form |
|
|
