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Nithyanandapedia
July 09 2009

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A homa fire ritual in an open courtyard. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing saffron robes, a gold necklace and a rudraksha-style gold pendant, sits on an orange cushion and pours offerings from a flower-filled plate into a fire built from white bricks. Two saffron-robed assistants sit beside him: one on the left holds a bundle of sticks, and one on the right, wearing a gold chain and a wristwatch, tends a brass plate of flowers and ritual vessels. A microphone stand is positioned near the central figure. Behind them, seated devotees in white, saffron and yellow clothes watch, one holding a framed photograph. A small brass lamp and a vessel of yellow powder sit at left. Several people are visible in the scene.2008-12-26A photograph of a ritual in progress outdoors under a canopy, with an audience seated on mats behind. A long-haired man in saffron-orange robes and a gold necklace sits cross-legged at centre, reaching toward a silver tray of offerings held by a second man in orange robes with a red tilak on his forehead; a microphone stands between them. A small brass lamp with a flame and a flower-decorated kalasha are visible at the lower right, along with a bowl of yellow liquid and a fire pit with flames at the bottom edge. To the left a shaved-headed man in orange and a striped sash sits with a rudraksha mala. Behind, a cameraman with a tripod and many seated devotees in orange, white and yellow clothing sit, some playing wind instruments. A white fan stands at the top centre. The scene suggests a puja or homa with offerings.2009-07-09Night outdoor homa ceremony with a large orange-painted brick fire altar, adorned with white jasmine garlands, fruits, flowers and small brass vessels. A figure in saffron robes with a shaved head and tilak sits beside the altar holding a brass plate of offering sticks, while a second figure in saffron cloth with long dark hair, a rudraksha-style gold bead necklace and a shawl sits at a microphone, hands joined over a brass tray. Seated devotees in white clothes fold their hands in prayer behind them. Oil lamps burn on the altar, and the crowd fills the dim background.2010-02-12A photograph of a ritual ceremony on a mat-covered floor. A central figure with long dark hair wears a saffron-orange robe, a gold bead necklace, and sits before a silver plate holding offerings while adding something with his hand. Beside him, a man in an orange dhoti and shawl with a red tilak sits with hands joined near a microphone stand. Behind them, several women in white with yellow sashes and men in white sit in rows. Foreground shows brass vessels, a bowl of yellow liquid with a wooden ladle, pink flowers, a broom-like bundle of grass, and a row of yellow-wrapped blocks or offerings. Marigold garlands and a basket of red flowers lie nearby.2009-07-09A photograph of a Hindu wedding ritual held beside a fire pit (homa) on a striped rug. A man with long hair, wearing saffron-orange robes and a long gold-toned mala necklace, sits cross-legged and guides a bride's hands over the fire. The bride wears a red-and-gold bandhani-patterned sari and a red and gold headdress, with gold bangles on her wrists. Nearby, a seated attendant in orange holds a brass tray with fruit and flowers, and a microphone stand is visible. Brass plates with grains and powders, a silver bowl of red petals, and marigold and rose garlands are arranged around the altar. Many saffron-robed people sit in the background.2009-07-09Photo of a temple puja inside a shrine with orange-robed participants seated on the floor before a copper shri yantra, a stepped pyramid-shaped copper object with triangular and lotus patterns. The central seated man wears saffron-orange robes, a long beaded rudraksha-style mala and ornate gold-toned necklace, a white vibhuti marking and red tilak on his forehead, and holds a small yellow item in his right hand over the yantra. Beside him, a second man in orange robes, glasses and an orange head wrap holds a small brass bowl and wears a gold chain. Brass oil lamps, a brass kalasha, flower garlands in pink, white and magenta, and red and gold drapery surround the altar, with a bowl of flowers and leaves in the foreground. Another seated figure in orange sits at the left edge.2009-10-17A temple ritual photograph in which a priest in orange dhoti and shawl kneels at left, offering a brass plate of yellow and red marigold and rose petals. Beside him a bearded man with bare chest, rudraksha mala and orange cloth sits cross-legged, holding a small offering. Several seated devotees in orange and saffron robes and white clothes watch, some with folded hands. Brass vessels, a copper pot, kumkum bowls, a plate of fruit and a small tray lie on the stone floor, with a green cloth and a pillar at left.2010-07-21Outdoor photo of a seated man with long dark hair and vertical white tilak on his forehead, wearing saffron-orange robes with yellow trim and a long necklace of large golden beads, hands folded in his lap. In front of him a silver tray holds gold-coloured beads, yellow flowers and a small bowl of kumkum. Around him more saffron-clad men sit on an orange cloth, one bald man also in gold beads, and devotees in white dhotis with gold borders kneel and fold their hands in prayer. Stone temple walls and a crowd stand in the background. Swamiji (probable): the seated man in saffron with long hair and golden bead necklace, appearance-based only.2010-12-29A photograph of a wedding ritual beside a fire pit. A central figure in an orange saffron robe with a long gold necklace sits on a striped blue and red mat, holding hands with a bride in a red embroidered sari with gold border, while a man in a cream outfit stands behind. A second robed attendant in orange holds a silver tray of fruit and flowers. Silver bowls, a kalasha vessel, marigold and rose garlands and flower-filled trays surround a low fire pit with burning embers. Other seated people in orange and white sit in the background, and a microphone stand stands nearby.2009-07-09Outdoor ritual photograph at a temple-like courtyard with a crowd of devotees behind. In the foreground, a man with long swept-back dark hair and a forehead tilak sits cross-legged on an orange cloth, wearing an orange saffron-coloured shawl and dhoti and a large necklace of gold beads. Before him stands a silver plate holding gold beads and yellow flowers, and small bowls with offerings. Behind him, several people in orange and white robes sit in prayer with palms joined, and a man in white garments stands at left. a person appearance cues: long swept-back hair, saffron clothing and gold bead necklace, seated in a ritual setting.2010-12-29A seated man in saffron-orange robes performs a homa at a brick fire pit, holding a long metal ladle-like implement with a flame rising from it. He wears a rudraksha mala and a gold chain. Beside him, a younger man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits attentively. Offerings are laid out on the left: sliced fruits, apples, a pineapple, lemons, a silver bowl, and flower garlands. Pink flower petals are scattered over the bricks. Behind them, seated devotees in orange, yellow and white clothing watch, and a figure in white moves in the background. A brass lamp stands on the right beside a dark curtain. The scene is a photograph of a fire ritual indoors. Two people are prominent in the foreground, with more visible behind them. The a person cues include saffron robes, a rudraksha mala and gold ornaments on the seated figure performing the fire offering.2009-06-09A photograph of a fire ritual. A man in orange robes and a long rudraksha-style gold necklace sits cross-legged on a striped mat, pouring or gesturing over the fire with a ladle-like spoon and a brass vessel nearby. Beside him, a second man in orange robes and a red-bordered shawl sits with hands folded near a microphone stand. On the left, a woman in a red and gold bandhani-patterned sari sits with bangles, her arm reaching toward the offerings. Trays hold red flowers, coconuts, banana leaves, brass bowls of grains and betel, and a garlanded kalasha. Several people in orange and white sit in the background.2009-07-09