Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night photo of a Chandi Homa puja inside a temple-like hall. A large white deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands behind a white square homa fire pit with brass vessels, flowers and a cloth arrangement in front. White-clad priests in dhotis and shawls perform rituals, one bending low at the fire pit, another holding a brass item. A seated priest in white is at the left, and on the right a man in a saffron-orange robe and tall tan-coloured turban stands near a red and gold throne. Smoke rises through the air, and colourful lights hang in the background. A white umbrella canopy hangs above the deity.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual inside a decorated temple hall with a large deity murti of a goddess, surrounded by smaller painted clay-style figures and white floral halo arches. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold garland kneels beside a black square fire pit (homa kunda) on a white stepped platform, with flower petals and brass vessels nearby, and brass oil lamps and bells on the left. A child in white sits near the left lamp. Standing at right, a man in saffron robes with a bare torso and white body markings holds his hands in añjali, while another standing figure in white wears a yellow turban and holds a tray. Red and gold hangings and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesPhotograph of a nighttime homa ceremony before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, in a decorated hall with hanging lights and smoke rising. A man in white dhoti and white shirt kneels at a square fire pit, tending it with offerings, with brass vessels, lamps and flower petals on the white platform. To the right, a man in white robes and a white turban holds a plate of offerings. Beside him stands an older sadhu with a white beard, bare upper body, white markings on his arms, and a red-orange cloth wrapped around his waist. Behind them a red throne with gold trim sits empty, and other white-clad devotees are seated in the background.2010-10-16A photograph of a Chandi homa at night inside a decorated temple pandal. A white-clad priest kneels before a square white fire pit with a black slab, while offering items and brass vessels sit on its steps. Behind, a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands under a white ornate arch, flanked by lamps. A bearded sannyasi with a turban and white forehead and arm markings, wearing rust-orange robes, raises his hands in front of a tray. Another white-turbaned man holds a silver plate. Several boys in white sit near the murtis. Strings of fairy lights, a brass oil lamp and scattered petals complete the scene.2010-10-16Night ritual inside a decorated hall at a person ashram during Navaratri or Dasara worship. A large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, lion mount and ornate white and silver backdrop dominates the left, flanked by smaller figures and a canopy. In the centre, a young man in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a square white homa or puja platform with brass vessels, flower petals and a small oil lamp. Behind him, a man in white with a turban holds a brass plate, and an older man with white beard and white body markings in orange-red cloth stands at right beside a red and gold throne-like seat. Several boys in white sit on the floor, and string lights and incense smoke fill the room.2010-10-16A night-time ritual at a decorated shrine with a large deity murti in the centre, framed by white and gold ornamental arches and red fairy lights. In front, a priest in white dhoti sits at a low white altar with brass vessels, a bell and fruit offerings, while other ritual assistants in white and orange sit nearby. On the right, a seated figure in a saffron turban and white garments sits on a red throne-like seat with devotees in orange robes beside him. Oil lamps burn and smoke rises near the murti, with garlands and foliage strung overhead.2010-10-16Indoor ritual scene in front of a decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, framed by ornate silver-white backdrop and red-and-gold hangings. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with a flower garland crouches beside a square homa fire pit with white steps and a brass bowl. A man in white robes holding a silver tray stands beside a figure in saffron-orange robes holding a brass vessel. At right, an older bearded sadhu in orange-red wrap with white body markings holds a small object. Several young boys in white sit near the deity and oil lamps glow on the floor, with flower petals scattered around.2010-10-16A photograph of a dimly lit temple hall during a homa fire ritual. A deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands in an ornate silver-and-white arch, flanked by smaller decorated murtis and a large umbrella canopy above. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti sits cross-legged at a white stone homa pit, tending the fire, with brass vessels, oil lamps and scattered flower petals around it. Beside him seated boys in white clothes sit in rows near the murtis. To the right a man in an saffron-orange robe holds a silver tray, and an elderly ascetic with a white turban and rudraksha mala stands in maroon robes with a bare chest and tilak. Strings of lights glow behind a red-draped seat.2010-10-16A photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held before a large Durga deity murti with a white floral halo, a lion mount, and a white parasol canopy overhead. A seated priest in white clothes and a flower garland kneels at a square fire pit (homa kund) with offerings and brass vessels on its white stone edge. Smoke rises through the hall. Behind, a shaved-headed elderly man with white body markings and a rudraksha mala stands, while a man in a yellow turban and white garments stands near a red and gold throne. Several boys and men in white sit on the floor, and decorative festive bunting and string lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual in a decorated hall before a large white-and-gold deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount, framed by a tall ornamental arch and a red-and-white canopy. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and gold necklace kneels at a square fire pit (homa kunda) with a brass bowl and oil lamps, while others sit in white near offerings and flower petals. Standing to the right, a man in a white turban and white robe holds a silver tray, beside a man in a saffron-orange robe, and an elderly bearded sadhu with bare upper body, white forehead markings, a turban and red-orange cloth holds a ritual item. Strings of fairy lights glow behind them. Several people are seated near the murti and a few more stand at the back. Two figures in this group wear distinctive saffron or orange clothing but lack the required combined cues for identification, so a person is unsure.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16