Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual under a tented pavilion. In the foreground a young woman in a maroon and red saree holds a green fruit and stands before a long table laden with bananas, apples, tomatoes, limes, melons and other offerings. Behind her, several women in red and maroon sarees sit in a row. At left, large painted deity murti, including a goddess figure in pink and white with crown and ornaments, stand beside a white floral arch and small elephant figures. In the background a seated figure in white ritual clothes and a figure in orange robes sit near a red-cushioned seat, with a tall wooden kalasha-like vessel and brass oil lamps in front. At right, a man in white dhoti with bare upper body and gold necklace sits with palms joined in namaste, while devotees sit on the ground. Festoons of marigold-like garlands and triangular flags hang overhead.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual under a tarpaulin canopy strung with red and yellow bunting, paper lanterns and leaf garlands. At left a large decorated deity murti with multiple arms and a red-and-gold figure stands beside a lion-mount and marigold-like flowers, lit by fairy lights. A woman in a maroon top and pink-red sari sits in front of offering trays of fruit, including green apples, bananas, watermelon and red tomatoes, holding a fruit. Behind her several women in saris sit in a row. In the centre a figure in white with a red-bordered shawl and white cap raises one hand from a red-cushioned throne-like seat, with a saffron-robed attendant standing nearby. At right a shaven-headed man in white dhoti with red border stands holding a small vessel. A large wooden pot-like vessel and brass plates sit on the ground and a seated attendant tends the ritual items. A crowd of devotees watches from the right in the dark.2010-10-16Night outdoor puja at a covered open-air pavilion with a large painted deity murti on the left, depicting a multi-armed goddess in red and blue, flanked by fruit offerings and marigold petals. A woman in a maroon and rose sari sits in front of platters of bananas, watermelon, apples and tomatoes. In the centre, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and shawl stands near a wooden stand with a red-cushioned throne behind it, while a monk in saffron robes stands by the throne. A man in white pours or offers from a vessel near a large wooden kalasha-like object. Background shows rows of seated devotees, hanging bunting and an Om symbol arch. Strings of lights and a Dasara-style setting are visible.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time puja inside a decorated pavilion. In the foreground a woman in a maroon and red patterned sari sits on the floor, holding a green fruit over a pile of offerings. Behind her a row of women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a line. To the left stands a large ornate murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons, with garlands and a lion beside her, surrounded by marigold garlands. Fruits, bananas, a watermelon, flower petals and kumkum are arranged on a long table. On the right a seated figure in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne, with a bare-chested figure in saffron beside a wooden drum. Bunting and string lights hang overhead.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at a pandal decorated with a large deity murti of a goddess in red and pink with a crown, lion mount, and tall garlands. In the foreground several young women in red and orange saris sit on a purple cloth with fruit, bananas, a watermelon, and brass plates of offerings. On the right a man in white ceremonial clothes with a red-bordered shawl performs a homa or puja beside a large wooden drum and a tall smoking fire vessel, while others in white sit nearby and a crowd watches. A hanging kalasha-style ornament and bunting decorate the canopy, and a red throne-like seat stands in the background.2010-10-16Night festival ritual under an open pavilion decorated with hanging tassels, bunting and leaf garlands. On the left, a large deity murti with multiple arms and red garments stands beside a table of fruit offerings including watermelon, bananas, apples and limes. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-cream saree sits cross-legged, holding a fruit, while other women in colourful sarees kneel beside her. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands near a wooden stand and a red-cushioned seat, and a saffron-robed figure is seen behind him. On the right, a bald man in white dhoti with a red border stands holding an object, and a seated crowd watches. Scattered petals, kumkum and offering plates cover the orange floor.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time Navaratri puja in a temple hall decorated with strings of lights and hanging bunting. On the left, large festive deity figures (goddess murtis with raised arms and garlands) stand above fruits, melons, bananas and a pile of vermilion. A young woman in a maroon top and a reddish-brown patterned sari sits cross-legged in the foreground, holding a green fruit or coconut-like offering. Several other women in red, maroon and green saris sit behind her among offerings. On the right, a red-and-gold ornate throne holds a seated figure, with a wooden drum-like instrument and brass lamps nearby. Flowers and rice scatter the floor and fruit plates are arranged along the table.2010-10-16