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Nithyanandapedia
March 08 2005

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Night photograph of a ritual at an outdoor shrine beneath a large tree. On the left, a woman in orange robes holds a lit oil lamp beside a man in white dhoti and shirt holding a small bell. Behind them, four people in white and pale clothes stand with hands pressed together in prayer. In the centre-right, a seated figure in white with a cobra-hooded crown sits before a mound of red-painted stones and a black deity murti draped with a white cloth and rudraksha mala. Brass lamps stand on the ground at the base of the platform, a puja scene at a Shiva shrine.2005-03-08A night-time photograph at an outdoor sacred grove under large banyan trees. A priest in a red dhoti and bare chest holds a lit oil lamp, aarti-style, before a seated white-clad figure with a golden crown, a stone deity murti with a black stone figure and white cloth on the right, and a red-stained stone platform. To the left, a man in a saffron-orange shawl stands with palms joined, next to several men in white dhotis and a man in khaki trousers holding a bundle of cloth. Offerings and flowers lie on a cushion and straw at the base of the figure. The priest is not described as a person; no qualifying cues are established.2006-12-20December 20 20062006-12-20Night photograph of an outdoor ritual beneath a large banyan tree. A bare-chested priest in a red dhoti raises a lit aarti lamp toward a seated figure wearing a tall golden crown and white garments, who sits on a red stone platform before a dark stone deity murti on the right. Around them about a dozen men stand with palms pressed together in namaste, several in white dhotis and orange shawls, one in an orange turban and orange robe, another in a maroon shirt. A tall metal flagstaff stands at left with strands of white cloth hanging from its top. Offerings and a brass kalasha sit on the ground.2006-12-20Night-time outdoor scene beneath a large banyan tree at what appears to be an open shrine area. A priest with bare upper body, wearing a red dhoti, stands at centre holding a lit flame on a small brass lamp (aarti) and a bell near a silver kalasha-style vessel on the ground. Around him stand about six devotees with hands folded in namaskar: an ochre-robed man on the left in orange saffron cloth, a man in a maroon checked shirt, and several men in white dhotis and shirts. To the right sits a large dark stone deity murti of a seated figure in white cloth with a gold-and-white headdress, and in front of the murti stands a smaller white-clothed figure with a golden staff-like object. Flower offerings and cloth bundles lie on the ground.2006-12-20December 20 20062006-12-20December 20 20062006-12-20March 08 20052005-03-08Night-time outdoor puja beneath a large banyan tree with hanging aerial roots. A bare-chested priest in a red dhoti holds up a lit lamp toward a dark stone deity murti on a red-painted base at right. A small white-clad figure sits in front of the murti with a brass crown-like headpiece. Several standing devotees in white dhotis and a man in a red checked shirt press their palms together, while an orange-robed man with a shaved head stands at left. Fresh flowers, green leaves and a brass vessel lie on the ground.2006-12-20Night photograph outdoors beneath a large dark banyan tree. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl stands centre holding a small brass bell and a lit oil lamp flame in his hands, facing right. Behind and beside him, several men in white ritual clothes with orange shawls stand in a row, one holding a metal vessel with a flame, others with hands folded. A brass meru-shaped vessel and a folded white cloth rest on a wooden tray with a red-and-orange cloth at the foot of the scene, beside a decorated red cushion on a stone platform. The setting suggests a night ritual consecration.2006-12-11A night-time photograph of an outdoor ritual at the base of a dark stone deity murti of Dakshinamoorthy, seated in meditative pose on a pedestal, with a rounded mound of stones beneath. A bare-chested priest with white forehead markings, a gold-coloured necklace and an orange cloth around his waist walks toward the murti. Beside him a figure in an orange robe with long dark hair stands facing away. Around them, several people in white clothes hold brass vessels and flower garlands with red and yellow blossoms. A spectator figure stands at the right edge. Dark trees and a metal pole frame the scene.2004-12-31Night-time outdoor ritual photograph beside a stone shrine with a gold cobra hood-shaped sculpture and red-stained offerings at left. A white-clad man kneels at lower left, lighting a small lamp on a white cloth placed on a wooden tray. A barefoot man in orange ochre robes with long dark hair, unadorned shoulders and bare chest stands at centre, head bowed, facing the kneeling priest. At right a man in white dhoti and orange shawl holds a small brass vessel. Behind them a large crowd of people in white and orange-shawled white clothing stands in rows under dark trees, several with hands folded in prayer. A tall pole and bright lamp light the scene.2006-12-11