SYNOPSIS

The ballet is set in legendary India. Nikiya, a bayadère or temple dancer, is in love with Solor, a noble warrior. But the Rajah decides to marry his daughter Gamzatti to Solor, who, overwhelmed by her beauty, forgets his vows of love to Nikiya.
When the Rajah learns of Nikiya and Solor's love from the High Brahmin (who is also in love with Nikiya), he decides to have the bayadère killed. Gamzatti tries to persuade Nikiya to give up Solor but she refuses and attacks the princess who then also decides to have the bayadère killed.
Nikiya dances at the betrothal celebrations of Gamzatti and Solor. She is fatally bitten by a poisonous snake hidden in a basket of flowers sent by the Rajah and Gamzatti.
Solor has a vision of Nikiya in the Kingdom of the Shades. Later, at the wedding ceremony, he is again haunted by the vision of Nikiya which he alone can see. The gods, infuriated by the killing of Nikiya, destroy the temple, killing everyone in it. The spirits of Nikiya and Solor are reunited in eternal love.

Act I.

Scene I. Outside the Temple in the Sacred Forest: The High Brahmin, priests, and temple dancers are celebrating the Indian Ritual of Fire. Nikiya, the most beautiful of the bayaderes (temple dancers), has been chosen to be consecrated the lead temple dancer and she and the young warrior, Solor, are very much in love. The High Brahmin, too, declares his love for Nikiya, but is rejected by her. The jealous High Brahmin swears his revenge.

Scene II. A Room in the Palace: The Rajah decrees that his daughter, the beautiful Gamzatti, will marry Solor. When the High Brahmin informs him that Solor is deeply in love with Nikiya, the Rajah becomes enraged and swears his vengeance against Nikiya. Gamzatti has overheard the conversation between her father and the High Brahmin, and commands her slave to bring Nikiya to her. Gamzatti tries to bribe Nikiya with money and jewels to renounce Solor. Nikiya refuses and attempts to stab Gamzatti, who swears her vengeance upon the temple dancer.

Scene III. The Garden of the Palace: At the betrothal of Solor and Gamzatti, Nikiya is commanded to dance. Gamzatti presents her with a basket of flowers which Nikiya believes to be from Solor, and which conceals a deadly snake. Nikiya is bitten, and when Solor leaves with Gamzatti, she refuses the proffered antidote and dies.

Act II.

The Tent of Solor: Solor, grief-stricken and under the influence of opium, dreams of being reunited with Nikiya in the Kingdom of the Shades. Awakening, he realizes that he must prepare to marry Gamzatti.

Act III.

The Temple: During the wedding festivities in the temple, a vision of Nikiya appears to Solor. He kneels to her in repentance. The ceremony begins, and when Gamzatti says her vows to Solor, he says his to his vision of Nikiya. The infuriated gods destroy the palace and bury everyone under its ruins. The spirits of Nikiya and Solor are reunited in the Kingdom of the Shades.