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pratishth

Pratishtha, also spelled pratishtha or pratistha, is a Sanskrit term meaning establishment or installation. In religious contexts, it most commonly refers to the consecration of a murti (an image or idol) and its placement in a temple or home altar. During pratishtha, the statue is regarded as being animated by a divine presence and thus becomes the focus of worship and ritual.

The pratishtha ceremony is a central ritual in many Hindu traditions. It typically follows the crafting and

The establishment of the deity through pratishtha has both religious and architectural significance. Once installed, the

installation
of
the
murti
and
involves
purification
rites,
offerings,
and
the
recitation
of
mantras.
A
key
element
is
prana-pratishtha,
the
infusion
of
life
energy
into
the
idol.
Fire
rites
(homa
or
yajna),
bathing
of
the
murti,
anointing
with
substances
such
as
sandalwood
paste
and
water,
and
the
symbolic
opening
of
the
deity’s
eyes
are
among
common
steps.
The
exact
procedure
is
prescribed
in
various
Agama
and
Shastra
texts
and
varies
by
tradition
(Shaiva,
Vaishnava,
Shakta)
and
region.
murti
is
considered
a
living
presence
and
the
central
focus
of
daily
rites,
darshan,
and
offerings.
The
ceremony
often
marks
the
formal
inauguration
of
a
temple
or
the
consecration
of
a
shrine
within
a
home.
While
the
core
concept
remains
the
same,
the
specific
practices
and
texts
guiding
pratishtha
differ
across
communities
and
locations.