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Nithyanandapedia
December 25 2015

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A photograph of a ceremonial offering arranged on a golden-brown cloth-draped platform in bright sunlight. Central items include a large coconut with a decorative silver-and-gold necklace, a brass or silver bowl with pink and white orchids, green and maroon silk fabric draped at the sides, bananas and a cluster of round white sweets or fruit in the foreground, and scattered pink orchids. Two blurred standing figures appear at the left and right edges, one in a white shirt with an orange garland; they are partially visible and out of focus. Bright sun flares across the upper centre.2015-12-25A photograph of a ceremonial offering arrangement in strong backlight at sunset. In the foreground, a decorated kalasha-like vessel wrapped in green and red cloth with orchid and rose garlands sits on a heap of coconuts, bananas and longan-like fruit. Gold-toned ornamental jewellery hangs from the left side and a silver-worked ceremonial object lies across the top. Several standing people are blurred in the background against the bright sky, a few wearing white caps and lanyards. No identifiable a person figure is visible.2015-12-25December 25 20152015-12-25A photograph of an ornate processional palanquin or ratha in strong backlight. Garlands of white flowers hang on the poles, and a fringed orange canopy with golden tassels covers the top. Below, a carved golden seat is draped with a leopard-print cloth and a red and orange border, with a blue and gold decorative panel at the right edge. A large dark deity murti or figure stands on the seat with its upper body cut off by the frame. No clearly visible physical people appear in the frame. Sunlight flares across the lens.2010-02-12December 23 20082008-12-23A golden processional palanquin or ratha at sunset, seen through foliage with a bright sun flare. Gold lion-head finials, a golden canopy with fringed drapery and garlands of orange and white flowers decorate the vehicle. A trident-like silver staff and a golden fan-shaped ornament stand at the sides. A seated figure in red and gold sits on the throne inside the ratha, largely in silhouette against the sun. Dark silhouettes of devotees fill the foreground.2015-02-19A photograph taken looking upward into strong backlight from the sun, creating a bright lens flare. A tall ornate palanquin or ratha canopy with an orange fringed valance and white flower garlands hangs above, with dark beaded garlands on the pillars. A figure in a dark garment stands beneath the canopy, mostly silhouetted and blurred by the glare. Gilded carved wooden panels and flower-decorated sides of the procession vehicle are visible on the left and right, with another ornate carved structure on the right edge. Partially visible people appear at the lower right edge.2010-02-12December 25 20152015-12-25December 24 20112011-12-24Close view of a decorated coconut placed atop a ceremonial object, adorned with pink and magenta orchid blossoms and green leaves. A yellow turmeric or kumkum mark sits on the coconut's face. Below, a jeweled gold-rimmed ornament with green and white stones and a purple cloth are visible, with a silver vessel at the right edge. Blurred onlookers stand in the background, some in white and saffron-toned clothing. The scene suggests a ceremonial procession or ritual offering with flowers and a coconut.2015-12-25Outdoor procession in warm evening light. A man seated on an ornate red-and-gold throne-style seat on a decorated ratha/chariot, wearing a gold crown-like headpiece, a white flower garland, a gold necklace and a red-orange garment, smiling. Behind him are colourful painted panels with floral motifs and fringed fan-shaped canopies. In the foreground, several people in white clothes face away from the camera, some raising hands.2010-12-26A photograph of a homa fire-ritual setup at night against a black background. Central to the frame is a tall fire flame rising beside a conical kalasha-like object draped in a green silk cloth with gold border, decorated with purple orchids, a red rose, and a metal crown-like ornament, with a trident-like stick tucked at the top. Two coconuts wrapped in fibre and garlanded with purple orchids flank it on either side, set on a magenta and gold brocade cloth. Dark jewel-like stones and ornate silver-toned ornaments are fixed on the central form. No people are visible.2015-12-23