January 04 2015 - Nithyanandapedia

Nithyanandapedia

January 04 2015

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Night-time fire ritual at an open-air shrine under a corrugated roof, with strings of mango-leaf torans overhead. A man in a white dhoti with gold borders and a red-and-gold-trimmed cloth, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala and a green-and-gold turban, stands at left holding a silver vessel and pouring offerings toward a flaming yagna fire pit with brass vessels set on its gold-painted edge. Behind the fire, a decorated deity murti is adorned with marigold garlands on a turquoise-painted platform. At right, a woman in a red sari with gold border and a red garland stands with palms pressed together in namaskar, beside a green-robed seated figure.

Night-time outdoor ritual photograph at a temple-style shrine with a fire pit (homa) burning in a gold-coloured fire altar in the foreground. A priest in white dhoti with gold border and bare upper body raises a silver ceremonial vessel with both hands above his head, pouring toward the flames. To the right, a man in a saffron-orange dhoti and orange shawl with a red flower garland stands with palms pressed together in namaskar. Behind them is a decorated deity murti garlanded with flowers, set on a tiered red-and-white striped platform. Brass pots, bowls and a kalasha sit on the altar. A string of hanging green leaves decorates the canopy. Another person in white stands at left with hands folded.

Night-time homa at an open ashram hall. A large fire burns in a rectangular yellow-painted fire pit in the foreground. Behind it, a figure in an orange-and-white garment stands before a decorated deity murti on a throne, the murti draped in marigold and multicoloured garlands and a saffron cloth. Four men stand to the left in white dhotis with gold borders, wearing rudraksha malas; the foremost wears an orange-red robe with gold border and a rudraksha mala, hands folded in prayer. A standing microphone is near the fire. A decorated side shrine with a garlanded deity on the right, and a ceiling hung with paper decorations.

January 03 2015

January 03 2015

January 03 2015

Night-time homa at an open-air temple pavilion. In the foreground a large fire burns in a tiered yagna kunda decorated with marigold garlands and red kumkum. Behind it a priest in white dhoti with a saffron-and-gold shawl holds a vessel over the flames and offers oblations, while a second priest in cream dhoti with a gold border holds a bundle of kusha grass beside him. At right a man in a saffron dhoti with a red rudraksha mala and bare chest, hands folded in anjali, stands by a table of flowers and offerings. Behind them more white-clad priests tend additional fire pits under bamboo-supported roofing, with a deity shrine lit at the back. Coconuts, flowers and brass pots sit on the ground.

A night puja at a temple shrine with a fire pit (homa kunda) in the foreground. A priest in a white dhoti with bare upper body and sacred ash marks stands before a flaming camphor or oil lamp (aarti), held over a decorated deity murti heavily garlanded with red, white and yellow flowers on an orange cloth. Two assistant priests in white dhotis, one holding a bell and a small vessel, stand at left; another wears a yellow shawl and a rudraksha-style necklace. Bananas and fruit sit on a tray at right. a person is not visibly present; no appearance-based candidate qualifies.

March 06 2016

2016-03-06 +1 copies

Night ritual in an open-sided temple pavilion with a corrugated roof. In the centre, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with gold border holds a brass tray of lit oil lamps before a golden deity murti under a gilded arch, with a garland draped over the image. Behind him, a second man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl stands with a bowl. A low white and red-striped platform, a square sunken fire pit and small brass vessels sit to the left. Three more men in white dhotis with rudraksha malas stand at right, hands folded in prayer. Appears to be an aarti or puja.

March 06 2016

2016-03-06 +1 copies

Night photo of a homa fire ritual at an open temple courtyard. In the centre, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a gold-and-saffron cloth draped over the shoulder holds a silver vessel with a coconut and fruit toward a stone fire pit with bright flames and flower garlands. Beside him, another priest in a white dhoti with yellow borders holds ritual items and performs the offering. At right, a priest with folded palms wears red beads and a yellow-and-blue dhoti. Brass pots, marigold garlands and red offerings lie around the fire, and a shrine with deity murti and wooden pillars with bamboo scaffolding stands behind. Several more priests in white are visible at left.