Pushpanjali
Pushpanjali (Sanskrit:पुष्पाञ्जलि, literally "folded hands full of flowers") is an offering of flowers to Hindu deities. Pushpanjali is the first dance in a Bharatnatyam performance. It is the salutation to the lord of dance Nataraja, the Guru, the musicians and the audience. It is made up of 2 words. Pushpa - flower Anjali - folded hands to show respect. The dancer holds flower to offer prayers to the Trinity of Gods, goddesses, ashta dikpalakas, and scholars in dance.