Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night ritual scene under a corrugated roof decorated with orange and yellow bunting, garlands and hanging tassels. In the foreground a purple cloth covers an offering table laden with fruit, bananas, limes, watermelon, tomatoes, coconuts, flower petals and bowls of kumkum. Several young male attendants in white dhotis and cloths with red borders stand at the table, one bare-chested with a white cap offering a plate. A large brass oil lamp stands on the left beside a deity murti with garlands. Behind the table a red and gold throne stands empty. Further back, an older man in orange robes and a shaved head stands near a square white altar, with another seated figure in a white garment beside him. Devotees are visible in the background. The scene suggests a puja or abhishekam being performed.

More like this

Open the gallery
Night ritual at an open-sided pavilion with a tin roof, strung with red, yellow and green pennants and hanging decorations. In the foreground a long purple cloth holds plates of fruit (bananas, lemons, watermelon, pineapple, coconuts) and bowls of kumkum and turmeric, with scattered flower petals. A brass oil lamp stands at left beside an empty ornate red-and-gold throne. At centre a white stone platform holds a ritual setup. Several young men in white dhotis and shawls with red borders stand at right, one holding a plate; a shaven-headed priest in white and a man in a red-and-saffron cloth stand nearby. At left, painted deity murtis are partly visible under a decorated canopy. Devotees stand at the edge of the scene. The setting suggests a puja or abhishekam.2010-10-16Night-time outdoor ritual under a tin roof draped with paper bunting and leaf festoons. At left, a large deity murti with a white and red costume and raised hands stands beside a brass lamp and trays of fruit, vegetables, flowers and turmeric powder. Behind a red-cushioned throne, a seated figure in white is surrounded by priests dressed in white dhotis and cloths, one holding a silver tray. At right, a shaved-headed young priest in a white dhoti stands beside a wooden stand with offerings. Many small granite or stone slabs are laid out on a purple cloth strewn with petals, consistent with a homa or yagna preparation.2010-10-16Night-time outdoor puja at a temporary open-sided shrine with a tin roof, strings of flags and hanging tassels overhead. On the left a large painted deity murti with a crown and white decorated garments stands beside a brass oil lamp. In the centre an empty red velvet throne sits on a raised white platform, with a seated figure in white in the background. Several men in white dhotis and maroon-bordered shawls stand at right, one in a cream turban holding a silver plate of offerings. Tables hold fruit, bananas, limes, a watermelon, pineapple, flower petals and kumkum, with granite slabs laid out on a purple cloth.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual under a canopy strung with leaf garlands and small triangular flags. At centre, a fire pit with flames stands before an ornate red and gold throne-like seat. A standing priest in white dhoti and white shawl with red border holds an item over the fire. A seated priest with shaved head wears a gold necklace and white clothing at right, beside a bowl of yellow powder. Several children in red and maroon dresses sit in front on a purple cloth, with fruit (limes, bananas, coconuts), brass oil lamps and kumkum-coloured offerings on trays. Decorated deity figures with floral garlands stand at left under string lights. This appears to be a homa-style fire ritual with puja offerings.2010-10-16Night-time outdoor puja under a corrugated tin canopy decorated with strings of red, yellow and blue tassels and green leaf garlands. On the left, a large multi-armed deity murti with raised weapons stands beside a lion figure, draped in red and white cloth. In the centre, brass oil lamps and a white stepped altar hold flower petals, a small brass pot and metal trays of fruit, coconuts and kumkum. A gold-trimmed red throne stands empty behind the altar. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a white turban holds a silver plate, while another attendant in white and a saffron-coloured dhoti stands nearby. Fruits including bananas, limes and watermelon are arranged on the lower left, and bright orange and purple flower petals cover the floor. Several more people in white stand in the background.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa pavilion decorated with mango-leaf garlands, hanging cloth bunting and a circular golden ring motif. In the centre a fire pit burns on a low platform; a standing priest in white dhoti with red border holds an object at chest height. A large red-and-gold throne is occupied by a seated figure in white. Brass oil lamps stand on the left beside trays of bananas, limes, coconuts, turmeric and kumkum. Behind them a decorated deity murti with garlands. Several children in red and maroon outfits sit in front, and a bald man in white with a gold necklace sits on the right beside a brass vessel. Rows of seated devotees fill the background.2010-10-16Night puja at an open-sided pavilion with a striped tent roof and hanging tassel decorations. On the left, a large clay deity murti of Durga with multiple arms, red garment and crown stands beside a lion, with a white umbrella canopy above. Central altar holds brass oil lamps, fruit, flower petals, a red-cushioned throne with a gold frame, and kumkum and turmeric in bowls. A young priest in white dhoti and a saffron-coloured turban stands at right, holding a tray and attending the altar, while other white-clad priests in dhoti and shawl stand nearby, one holding a small plate. Smoke rises in the background and devotees watch from the right edge.2010-10-16Night ritual at a covered open-air hall with a visible fire pit and rising smoke near the centre. Several young boys in white dhotis sit or kneel at an orange-draped platform with purple cloth, bending over a silver tray. Brass oil lamps stand on the left beside trays of bananas, lemons, pineapple and a watermelon. A man with a bare torso and white cloth at right raises his arms, and a red throne is partly visible behind the central figures. Seated devotees in white fill the background. Strings of bunting and hanging garlands decorate the ceiling.2010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph under an open pavilion decorated with mango-leaf strings, red and yellow triangular pennants and hanging ornamental tassels. On the left, a large decorated deity murti with a crown and multiple arms stands beside brass lamps and offerings of watermelon, bananas, green fruit, vegetables and a tray of red flowers. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-brown sari sits on the orange floor holding a green fruit, while a second woman in a deep red sari sits behind her. At right, a young man with a shaved head wears a white dhoti and shawl with red borders and holds ritual items in both hands, standing near a wooden drum and steel plates. Behind them, seated devotees fill the rows in the background.2010-10-16Night-time homa ceremony in an open pavilion decorated with green leaf garlands, hanging cloth banners and orange-fabric canopy. In the foreground, a square fire pit lined with white marble-like border and filled with ash is flanked by brass pots, plates of offerings, a kalasha-like metal vessel and a bowl of oil. A shaved-headed priest in white clothes with a red waist cloth sits cross-legged at the pit, while another white-clad priest with a sacred thread and beaded necklace sits to the left beside a brass oil lamp. A seated figure in a white dhoti and white cloth, with a white turban and chain necklace, sits on an ornate red and gold throne at the back left. Devotees in orange and red sarees and white shirts sit in rows on the floor facing the fire pit.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ceremony under a tented pavilion strung with green leaf garlands and hanging colourful pennants. In the foreground, two priests in white dhotis with red-bordered cloth sit on an orange mat before a white-and-brown ritual platform and a fire pit, with brass oil lamps, kumkum plates, a small kalasha, bowls of offerings and metal trays. A seated figure in white clothing, a rudraksha-style cord and a turban sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne at the back left, and a priest chants at a stand nearby. A large crowd of devotees in white and orange sits on the floor in rows watching the ritual, and temple structures are visible in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of an outdoor temple ritual on a raised orange-draped platform. Several men in white dhotis and white shirts sit and kneel around a silver puja tray, one bowing forward with hands near the tray. A bare-chested priest in white with a red-bordered cloth stands at the right, arms raised to his head. Brass oil lamps (deepas) stand at the left beside a display of bananas, limes, a watermelon and other fruit on purple cloth. Smoke rises in the dim background, where a red throne-like seat and colourful strings of festoon decorations hang from the roof. Devotees sit in the background.2010-10-16