Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A night-time puja inside a decorated pandal before large white-and-gold deity figures, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount and a pink-bodied elephant-headed figure at left. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor holding pink lotus flowers, while others in white garments kneel nearby. Brass oil lamps and kalasha vessels stand among scattered flower petals. A wooden seat is in the foreground, and behind a gold-trimmed red throne a robed man in white sits with a shaved head and a garland, beside an orange-robed sadhu with bare shoulders and sacred ash markings. Strings of red fairy lights hang in the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual in an outdoor temple pavilion lit by warm string lights and a bright floodlight. Central deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, draped in red and orange garments and garlanded with flowers, stands on a lion-shaped base beside a large white decorated arch. To the left, an elephant-headed deity figure with pink skin and red garland stands among other murtis and umbrellas. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon silk saris sit cross-legged on a floor covered with flower petals and offerings, some holding flowers. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha-like vessel sit on the mat. A man in white sits with a drum-like instrument at lower right. On the right, a gilded red throne holds a seated man in white clothing with a turban and gold necklace, while attendants in white stand nearby. Smoke rises in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesPhotograph of a Navaratri Chandi Homa puja at night inside a decorated pandal. Behind the ritual area stands a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a red-and-gold saree, holding weapons, beside a lion; other white and colourful murtis and flower-garlanded figures surround it, and strings of red lights hang overhead. In front, several women in maroon, red and gold sarees sit on the floor holding pink flowers, while a shaven-headed man in white dhoti with a bare upper body raises his hand in blessing near a wooden stool with a brass lamp and offering plates. A man in orange robes sits to the right, and an empty ornate red-and-gold throne stands at the back. Brass lamps, flower petals and small offering dishes cover the floor.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at night before a tall altar of deity murti, including a large goddess figure seated on a lion and a figure of Ganesha with a garland. Five young women in red, orange and saffron saris sit cross-legged on a raised platform holding pink and orange flowers. In the foreground a bald priest with bare upper body raises one arm toward a fire pit and brass oil lamps, while flower petals and offerings lie on the platform. Strings of lights and a canopy decorate the background, and two white-clad men stand on the right near the altar.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time homa ritual before a decorated shrine of deity murtis, including a large Ganesha figure with pink skin and red garland and a goddess murti with a lion beside her, all garlanded in white and yellow flowers, with strings of fairy lights behind. Six young women sit in a row on purple and red cloth, wearing red and orange sarees with flower garlands and holding pink and yellow flowers, several with rudraksha-style mala necklaces. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with bare back faces the fire pit, a sacred fire smoking before him, with brass oil lamps and offerings nearby. Other white-clad priests stand at the right with ceremonial gold necklaces. Flower petals scatter the ground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a nighttime Chandi Homa ritual before a decorated altar with several deity murtis, including a Ganesha figure in pink with a red garland and a goddess murti draped in white and red flowers and garlands, with a lion figure below. Around six young women sit cross-legged on a mat in red, orange and gold saris, holding pink and yellow flowers and wearing rudraksha malas. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with his back to the camera tends a fire pit with smoke rising. Brass oil lamps, kalasha vessels, marigold and rose petals, and string lights in the background complete the scene, with a few standing attendants in white at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA nighttime Chandi Homa ritual under a open-sided canopy strung with orange triangular flags and multicolored hanging tassels. On the left, a large clay deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and a red-and-white ornate backdrop, flanked by a lion-like figure and fruit offerings including watermelon and bananas on a red cloth. In the foreground, several young women in maroon and red sarees sit cross-legged on a orange cloth-covered platform, one holding a flower. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, lifting a ritual implement above a wooden homa altar with smoke rising. Behind them, a seated figure in orange robes sits on a white throne-like seat beside a few other seated people, with an audience of several dozen devotees in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA nighttime Navaratri puja at an ashram shrine decorated with white floral backdrops and strings of lights. A large deity murti with a lion mount stands at the centre, flanked by a pink Ganesha figure with red garland and other murtis. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with flowers and offerings, some holding flowers in folded hands. Smoke rises in the background. On the right, a man in white with a saffron turban and rudraksha mala sits on an ornate red and gold throne, while a bald priest in front raises his arm near brass lamps and offering plates. Several white-clad attendants stand behind the shrine.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies