Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Outdoor homa ritual at an ashram courtyard during Navaratri. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls sit on the ground around a square fire pit with flames, pouring offerings and handling ghee and grain in brass vessels. Behind them stand large colourful deity murtis, including a large goddess murti in red and white, an elephant-headed Ganesha murti with a purple garland, and several white-clad figures with garlands. Foreground tables hold steel plates of fruit, banana and orange, bundled offerings wrapped in red and green cloth, and brass lamps. Behind the priests, an empty red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a deity. Orange buildings, palm trees and paper bunting fill the background. One priest near the centre wears a gold necklace; the central figure in the back row is partly obscured.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a homa ritual performed outdoors before a decorated deity murti. Several men in white dhotis and white upper cloths sit in a row on white cloth around a dark square fire pit, with smoke rising from it. One priest bends forward pouring an offering into the fire, and others sit with brass vessels and plates of flowers, grains and fruit nearby. Behind them a large deity murti with a crown and a lion mount is adorned with white and gold decorations, and a red-and-gold throne holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange. Brass lamps, bananas, oranges and watermelon sit on the ground, with colorful cloth bundles and a red-and-gold ceremonial canopy overhead. Some people stand in the background near an orange building with signage.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held outdoors in front of a temple-style structure with an orange wall and bunting. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls sit on the ground around a square black fire pit (homa kund) with brass vessels, plates of fruit, rice, flowers and coconut, and small bundles wrapped in red and green cloth. Behind them stands a decorated shrine with a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons and seated on a lion, flanked by smaller figures and a pink Ganesha murti with a garland. To the right, an ornate red-and-gold throne holds a framed portrait of a seated saffron-clad figure, with a palm-lined backdrop and a kalasha-topped pole nearby. Smoke rises from the fire area.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual before a large Devi murti with a lion and a multi-armed goddess figure framed by white floral arches and marigold garlands. A square fire pit with glowing embers sits at the centre, surrounded by seated priests in white dhotis and shawls, several wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and bare-chested. One priest kneels at the far left feeding offerings into the pit with a ladle, while others attend trays of fruit, puffed grains, nuts and dried red chillies. Behind them, a red velvet throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange. Strings of lights and colourful banners decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesA night-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa ceremony. Several priests in white dhoti and shawl sit around a square fire pit with a sunken centre, pouring offerings and ghee; some wear gold necklaces and sacred thread. Behind them stand large white-framed deity murtis, including a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, bowls of flowers and rows of dried red chillies are arranged on the altar. Strings of lights and colourful festival banners hang in the background. On a red velvet throne with gold trim sits a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure with long hair, labelled as a portrait rather than a physical person. Four to six priests are visible in the scene.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15