pratistha

Pratistha, also transliterated pratishtha, is a Sanskrit term meaning establishment or installation. In Hindu religious practice, it denotes the consecration rite by which a statue, lingam, or other icon is installed and endowed with the divine presence, allowing it to be worshipped in temples or home shrines.

The term is derived from Sanskrit pratisthā, reflecting the act of establishing a sacred image in a space so that it becomes a focal point for ritual devotion. In practice, pratistha marks the moment when an image is energetically authenticated for worship and treated as a living presence within the sacred space.

Practice and ritual aspects typically involve purification rituals, offerings, and the recitation of Vedic mantras. The idol is installed on a consecrated pedestal, the deity is invoked, and the space is energized; after pratistha, the image is regarded as the dwelling place of the divine and is venerated accordingly. In many traditions, pratistha is followed by further energizing rites such as prana-pratishtha (life-force infusion) or kumbhabisheka, especially in temples or after renovation.

Context and variation: The rites differ by tradition (Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta) and by region. In South Indian temple practice, kumbhabisheka is a major post-renovation consecration ceremony, while pratistha may occur during the initial installation of a deity or during the establishment of a home shrine.

See also: prana-pratistha, kumbhabisheka.