Act I

Scene 1

Noble youths return from hunting. Solor, the renowned warrior, orders his fellows to leave him on his own at the holy fire. Solor asks fakir Magedaveya to find an opportunity to talk to the beautiful Nikiya, the bayadère, who lives in the temple, and tell her that he will be waiting for her at night.
The ceremonial arrival of the High Brahman, priests and bayadères, the temple dancers, heralds the beginning of the feast of worshipping the fire. The climax of the feast is Nikiya’s dance. The passion to Nikiya makes the High Brahman forget his vocation and celibacy associated with it. He promises her all the treasures of India in return for her love. However, Nikiya cannot hide her disgust for the High Brahman.
The secret meeting of Nikiya and Solor is safeguarded by Magedaveya. Solor swears his eternal love and fidelity to Nikiya by the holy fire. The High Brahman, who is eager to revenge, sees them.

Scene 2

The Rajah Dugmanta’s palace. The Rajah orders to call the bayadères to entertain him and his guests. Dugmanta announces to his daughter Gamzatti that she will marry the best and bravest warrior of the rajaship, Solor, who she has been engaged to since her childhood. Gamzatti is happy, while Solor is lost: he does not dare reject the high honour, but he loves Nikiya and has sworn fidelity to her.
The High Brahman arrives. Hoping to destroy the rival, he tells the Rajah about Nikiya and Solor’s love. Dugmanta is enraged, but he will not change his decision. Solor will marry his daughter and the bayadère is to die. The Brahman has not expected such a catastrophe; he threatens the Rajah with the revenge of the gods for the bayadère’s death, but Dugmanta is adamant.
Gamzatti has overheard the conversation and orders her slave to bring Nikiya to her. Gamzatti tells Nikiya about her upcoming wedding and invites the bayadère to dance on that day. Nikiya is flattered by the honour, but suddenly Gamzatti, as if by chance, shows her the portrait of her husband-to-be. The bayadère is desperate, she is protesting. Solor loves nobody but her and will belong only to her. Gamzatti begs Nikiya to give Solor up, but the bayadère would rather die than part with her beloved. Gamzatti offers Nikiya jewelry in exchange for Solor. Nikiya enraged is going to stab her — but by chance, the slave comes in time and manages to stop the bayadère. The Rajah’s daughter swears: Nikiya will die.

Act II

Scene 3

Gamzatti and Solor’s engagement. Nikiya, who is obliged to dance at the feast according to the ritual, cannot conceal her grief. However, suddenly she is presented with a flower basket. She is full of hope, love and happiness — she is triumphant: it is surely Solor’s gift.
Suddenly a snake crawls out of the flowers and stings the bayadère. This is Gamzatti’s revenge.
The High Brahman promises her an antidote if Nikiya forgets Solor, but she is faithful to her beloved.

Act III

Scene 4

Solor is inconsolable and full of remorse. He drops into sleep and sees the Kingdom of the Shades. They descend from mountain ledges in a long line. He sees Nikiya. She is calling him...