Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time photograph of a homa ritual under a tin-roofed pavilion decorated with orange and yellow pennants and banana-leaf garlands. On the left, large deity murti figures including a pink elephant-headed figure and goddess images are adorned with white and yellow flower garlands, with a lit string of lights behind them. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon saris sit cross-legged along an orange-draped altar holding offerings of fruit, green limes and flowers. On the right, a standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold necklace performs the ritual, holding a ceremonial item, while smoke rises from the fire area. A figure in a red-and-white seat and others in white sit farther back. A pronounced plate of offerings sits in the lower right.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +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 night-time ritual on an open-sided pavilion under a corrugated roof, decorated with paper bunting, mango-leaf garlands and hanging tassels. On the left, a large white-and-pink ganesha-style and goddess murti stands beneath an ornate white canopy with flower garlands. A row of young women in red and maroon saris sit cross-legged on a raised orange platform, several with hands together. At the right, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a bare upper body stands bending over the platform, tending brass plates of fruit, offerings and a flame. Behind them a gilded throne with a red cushion and seated devotees in white are visible, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night-time homa ceremony under a tin-roofed pavilion with smoke rising in the air. On the left, a decorated deity murti of Goddess Durga with a crown and red-and-gold clothing sits beside a Ganesha figure, flower garlands and fruit offerings. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at a fire pit, holding a ritual vessel, while a row of women in red and maroon saris sit on the orange cloth before offerings of fruit, coconuts and brass plates. Behind, a golden-armed throne is occupied by a robed figure, with other seated attendees near it. Bunting and hanging tassels decorate the ceiling, and a large crowd of devotees sits on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof decorated with triangular bunting, hanging tassels and lit strings. On the left, a large white-and-pink ornamented deity murti with a garland stands beside a lion vahana. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon saris sit on a mat behind a spread of fruit, flowers and offerings including watermelon and pineapple. At the centre, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and shawl stands at a wooden stand facing the seated women. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red-cushioned throne-like seat, and a crowd of seated devotees watches the proceedings.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photo of a homa/puja at an outdoor pandal. In the foreground, several young women in red and maroon sarees sit on an orange-draped low platform, one with hands held together in prayer, with fruits, flowers, brass plates and bowls laid out before them. Behind them a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with green border pours or offers from a vessel beside a fire pit with rising smoke. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red and gold throne near a deity murti decorated with white flower garlands. Strings of marigolds, orange triangular flags and tassel-hung poles frame the scene, with festive lights and a poster at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual under a open-sided pavilion with a striped canopy and hanging decorations. On the left, large deity murtis with garlands and an ornate arch stand behind a long wooden altar draped in a purple cloth. A priest in white dhoti with red-bordered cloth and bare chest holds a burning lamp toward offerings, while a woman in a maroon sari and red blouse sits at the altar. Brass lamps, fruits, vegetables, plates and flowers cover the altar, and a golden throne-like seat stands at the back. Seated devotees fill the foreground and right side, and strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof decorated with orange triangular bunting and hanging cloth tassels. A large white decorated canopy and a colourful parasol stand over a white floral-decorated altar holding a deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a small Ganesha figure. Rows of young women in red and maroon saris sit on the right side of a long wooden ritual table set with fruit, bowls, flowers and brass plates. A bare-chested-in-white priest wearing a white dhoti and cloth draped over his shoulder stands at the table's right end holding a ritual item aloft, while a seated man in white clothes watches at the far right. Smoke rises from the offering area and string lights glow in the background, with a golden ceremonial seat near the centre.2010-10-16 +1 copies