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Nithyanandapedia
October 11 2014

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A night fire ritual. A seated priest in an orange-red turban and orange cloth pours offerings into the fire while a second orange-clad sadhu sits beside him. Around the pit, many white-dressed men with yellow-bordered dhotis, some bare-chested and wearing rudraksha malas, stand or sit on striped cloth. Brass trays of flowers, lamps, betel and pink petals sit in the foreground, with a camera tripod and a sound speaker in the background.2017-09-17A night homa in progress at an outdoor ritual area. A central yellow-gold fire pit blazes with large flames. Behind it, a man in an orange turban and rudraksha mala sits cross-legged with hands joined above the fire. Around him, several shaved-headed priests in saffron-orange dhotis sit on striped mats, tending the fire and handling offering trays of sticks and flower petals. Standing behind them, men in white dhotis with gold borders and bare upper bodies hold their hands together in prayer. Gold ornamental arches, brass lamps and a pink flower-filled bowl are visible at the edges.2017-09-17 +1 copiesA night homa at an outdoor square: a raised wooden fire pit with bright flames sits in the foreground. Around it, about eight men in saffron-maroon robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, several holding books or ritual items. On the right, a man in maroon robes and white flower garlands sits on a cushioned seat holding a metal tray. Behind them a large crowd in white and saffron clothing sits in rows, with a bronze deity murti and a carved temple structure in the background, plus kalasha-style vessels and small oil lamps on carpets in front.2014-10-27A night-time homa at an outdoor ritual pavilion. A large yellow-painted square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground, decorated with white and purple floral markings and scattered flower petals. Behind it, a priest in an orange-red turban and orange cloth, wearing a rudraksha mala, sits cross-legged and feeds offerings into the fire from a bowl. Beside him, another ritual assistant in an orange turban and orange cloth tends the fire. Standing men in white dhotis with gold borders, some bare-chested and some wearing shawls, stand in the background. Brass lamps, a tray of flower petals, a covered brass vessel and small offering plates sit on a striped mat, along with a silver puja tray holding pink flowers and lit wicks. Gold decorative arches stand behind the group.2017-09-17A night homa ritual at an outdoor fire altar, with a rectangular white-and-yellow fire pit blazing in the centre. Around it sit about ten people: several shaved-headed young boys and monks in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas, one older man in orange with a grey beard, and two men in white dhotis with white shawls, one wearing a white turban and the other with a white-marked forehead. Brass pots and a lamp stand beside the fire, with bananas, coconuts and flower garlands at the right edge. Spectators in white and dark clothes sit in the background.2013-10-15October 11 20142014-10-11October 11 20142014-10-11November 04 20132013-11-04A homa fire burns in a square stone fire pit at night, with flames and smoke rising. Around it, a group of young saffron-robed sannyasi boys and younger initiates sit on striped mats, many with shaved heads and tripundra marks, some holding offerings. A saffron-robed priest stands at center, leaning toward the fire. On the right, a figure seated on an ornate throne wears a saffron turban, a shawl, a heavy gold-and-garland necklace and rudraksha-style beads, with wrists adorned with bangles, and holds his hands in a blessing posture. Brass vessels and small offering plates sit near the pit, with a lit oil lamp and a shaved-head devotee in the foreground. Spectators in white stand in the background.2013-07-22Night-time Ganapati homa at an outdoor ashram setting. A golden-yellow square fire pit holds a flaming fire, with smoke rising. Several priests sit around it in saffron/orange robes and white dhotis, with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings; the priest at right wears a red and gold turban and white garment with gold border and offers something into the fire. Silver and brass vessels, a small pot with yellow flowers, and bowls of grain sit at the edges. Behind them a seated audience in white and red-sashed clothing fills the background, with a microphone stand visible at left. A partial garland hangs in the background.2014-10-11A night-time homa at an ashram. Four priests sit behind a large yellow-painted square fire pit filled with ash. Priests on the left wear white dhotis and rudraksha malas with white forehead markings; the seated priest in the centre wears saffron-orange robes and a saffron-orange shawl and tends the fire with a bowl. The priest on the right wears white with a red-and-pink headpiece and holds a flower and a silver vessel. Silver pots and fruit sit on the floor, and seated devotees in white fill the background. Hanging colourful ceremonial banners frame the scene.2014-10-11September 17 20172017-09-17 +1 copies