Bali Pitha are black granite stones that are found around the
Hindu temple or around the sanctum sanctorum. The Bali Pitha is an important
aspect a Hindu temple and they represent gods and goddesses – ten dikpalas and
saptamatrikas. ‘Bali ’ means offerings and ‘pitha’
means seat (here the granite stone).
Bali Peethas are installed at definite points in a temple.
Offerings in the form of water, flowers, sesame seeds, cooked rice, etc are
placed on them daily at specific time to accompaniment of traditional musical
instruments and chanting of hymns.
The ten dikpalas that are represented in Bali Pitha are
Ishana, Brahma, Indra, Agni, Yama, Nirti, Ananta, Varuna, Vayu and Soma. They
are the protectors.
The seven Saptamatrika that are represented in the Bali Pitha
are Brahmi, Maheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varati, Indrani and Chamunda. They
are the seven mothers.
Usually the Balipitha are lotus shaped stones but this is
not followed in all temples.
The height of the Bali Pitha from its bottom should be equal
to the height of the pedestal in which the main murti in the temple is
installed.
A Balipitha consists of 27 or 32 moldings and parts.
Measurements, location and other details regarding
constructing Balipitha are found in the scriptures like Tantrasamuchaya, Vishnu
Samhita, Mayamata and Gurudevapaddhati.