--- title: "Bharatanatyam Temple Performances and Classical Dance Rituals" description: "Explore my Bharatanatyam practice, where movement becomes prayer. Discover temple performances, traditional rituals like Vidyaarambham, and classical dance sessions." canonical: https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/dance-as-devotion-temple-performances-rituals last_updated: 2026-02-09 --- # Bharatanatyam Temple Performances and Classical Rituals Tribe Verified · Dedicated Bharatanatyam practice in Mumbai By [Divya Srikanth](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom) · In-person classes and workshops in Mumbai Metropolitan Area · ₹1,000 per session (estimate) Part of [Bharatanatyam Classes & Workshops](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/gallery) For me, dance is a prayer in motion. This gallery captures the moments where my Bharatanatyam practice meets devotion, from temple performances to the sacred rhythms of our annual rituals. ## Photos and videos - ![Our altar for the Dussehra Puja. We offer our salangai (ankle bells) and instruments to the goddess Saraswati, seeking her blessings for our learning journey. This ritual of Vidyaarambham marks the beginning of a new year of dance education.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/884b5377-ef6b-4f8f-9c17-108011c395eb) - [Video: A glimpse into our Vijayadashami celebrations. This day is filled with dance, music, delicious prasadam, and the joy of our community. It's a tradition that reinforces our bond and our shared love for the art.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b9a1c421-d418-44b8-8c32-ce0e5b6f0df1) - ![A moment of quiet contemplation inside a cave temple during Navratri. The nine nights of Navratri are a special time for devotion and dance, celebrating the different forms of the goddess Durga.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/94120eee-f39f-4bc3-8c98-37cc39398396) - ![Performing in full traditional costume at a temple during a dance tour. The architecture and spiritual energy of such places provide a powerful backdrop, making the dance an offering of Pushpanjali, or a handful of flowers, to the deity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/21e429aa-368c-4ca8-9592-875fe5a26635) - ![Another expressive shot from a temple performance. The intricate gold background of the temple sanctum beautifully complements the traditional blue and purple dance saree, creating a visually rich and devotional atmosphere.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b149d2da-dd07-4fcd-92ef-b456e791d1ff) - ![On the first day of Navratri, I commemorate the goddess Shailaputri. Here, I am using a mudra to represent the trident and lotus she holds, connecting the symbolism of the festival with the language of Bharatanatyam.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5dc525b7-8ff0-4545-95dd-2ed8f1a375c8) - ![A seated pose for the first day of Navratri, showing the Abhaya mudra, a gesture of fearlessness and protection. These small daily practices help deepen my connection to the stories and deities we portray in dance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a7fe89ba-859c-4db5-a415-0979ce7d93f7) - ![A graceful standing pose in my yellow saree for the first day of Navratri. The color, pose, and expression all come together to honor the specific attributes of the goddess Shailaputri.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8f0586f1-6643-4e60-8752-9222d3c6663b) - ![On the second day of Navratri, I pay obeisance to Brahmacharini. The pose here, in front of our family's Golu display, depicts her holding a Japamala and Kamandal, blending dance with home festivities.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d6234ece-ca1a-4b04-ab8a-dc83fde1ed71) ## About Dance as Devotion: Temple Performances & Rituals For me, Bharatanatyam is never just a performance. Whether I am dancing in a temple sanctum or observing Navratri, the dance becomes an offering where mudras and rhythm blend into a prayer. This space captures that quiet, spiritual energy where my practice feels most like home. Dance is a living, breathing part of my daily life, rooted deeply in the Guru-Shishya parampara. When you see these images, you are seeing my journey from the disciplined rehearsals at Nrityaranjani to the spontaneous joy of performing at sacred venues. The rituals we observe, like Vidyaarambham and the nine nights of Navratri, are not just traditions; they are the heart of my dance. We start our year by offering our salangai to the goddess, a reminder that we are merely conduits for this art form. When I perform at temples, the intricate gold of the sanctum or the cool stone of a cave temple changes how I approach my Abhinaya (storytelling). The architecture becomes part of the storytelling. If you are curious about this path, my classes focus on this very essence—teaching you how to find stillness within the movement. We do not just memorize steps; we understand the meaning behind the Jathis and the power of a single mudra. Whether we are exploring the emotional depth of a Padam or the precision of a Varnam, the focus is always on connecting with the art form authentically. If you want to dive into Bharatanatyam with a focus on technique, storytelling, and cultural roots, let’s talk. ## About Divya Srikanth I'm Divya, and I live for the moments where movement feels like a prayer. My journey is rooted in the traditional Guru-Shishya parampara, balancing the rigour of classical Bharatanatyam with the pure joy of devotion and storytelling. [See all of Divya Srikanth's services](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom) ## More from Bharatanatyam Classes & Workshops by Divya Srikanth - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/featured) - [Solo Recitals: The Art of Expression](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/solo-recitals-the-art-of-expression) - [Our Dance Family: Guru, Community & Ensemble](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/our-dance-family-guru-community-ensemble) - [Behind the Dance: Practice & Spontaneous Moments](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-classes-workshops/behind-the-dance-practice-spontaneous-moments) ## More services by Divya Srikanth - [Wedding & Event Choreography](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/wedding-event-choreography) - [Bharatanatyam Performances](https://mytribe.in/divya_takatarikitatom/bharatanatyam-performances) ## Similar work from other experts - [Bringing Bharatanatyam Stories to Life on Stage](https://mytribe.in/sushmithasuresh93/bharatanatyam-training/the-art-of-performance) by Sushmitha Suresh · Bharatanatyam Training · Classes in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru & Kodambakkam, Chennai; Online training available - [Nrityasewa: Bharatanatyam Dance Offerings in Sacred Temples](https://mytribe.in/himanshusrivastavaa/educational-workshops-lectures/nrityasewa-offerings-in-sacred-spaces) by Himanshu Srivastava · Educational Workshops & Lectures · Available online and in-person across India - [My Bharatanatyam Performances and Artistic Journey](https://mytribe.in/shreyasigopinath/bharatanatyam-dance-classes/my-performances-journey) by Shreyasi Gopinath · Bharatanatyam Dance Classes · Online classes and at studios in Gurugram & New Delhi - [Spiritual and Mythological Dance Performances](https://mytribe.in/bijal.dedhia.79/dance-performance-choreography/spiritual-mythological-performances) by Bijal Dedhia · Dance Performance & Choreography · Studio in Kandivali East; Travels across India for events - [Exploring Bharatanatyam: Where Tradition Meets Contemporary Inquiry](https://mytribe.in/delhidancer/classical-dance-education/featured) by Tanya Saxena · Classical Dance Education · Online classes and in-person at studio in Delhi NCR - [A Journey Through Kathak: Performances and Traditions](https://mytribe.in/garvita.kathak/kathak-performances/featured) by Garvita Sharma · Kathak Performances · Performs across India; Based in Delhi & Mumbai ## Book To book Divya Srikanth, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Divya!%20I%20saw%20your%20Bharatanatyam%20temple%20performances%20and%20rituals%20gallery%20and%20loved%20the%20vibe.%20I'd%20love%20to%20learn%20more%20about%20your%20dance%20sessions.)