Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night photograph of a homa at an outdoor shrine lit by strings of coloured lights. In the foreground a brick-lined fire pit blazes with flames, surrounded by flower petals and brass vessels of offerings. Several men in white dhotis and red-bordered shawls sit cross-legged in ritual poses; one bare-headed priest in white with a gold chain and rudraksha mala pours offerings, while a shaved-headed man beside a microphone handles flower garlands. Behind them stand large decorated deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount, a pink Ganesha, and a female figure in white and gold, with brass lamps and bowls of fruit and sweets placed before them.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a Chandi Homa performed outdoors before a large deity murti of Devi, a goddess with multiple arms and red garland, beside a smaller Ganesha figure and a lion mount. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with rudraksha or gold necklaces sit cross-legged around a square brick fire pit glowing with flames. One priest on the left feeds offerings into the fire, while others hold brass plates of grains, flowers and vegetables and a brass kalasha-style vessel. Brass oil lamps and marigold garlands surround the altar. Strings of coloured lights and hanging decorations fill the background under a night sky.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a Chandi Homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard decorated with string lights and tall ceremonial poles. In the foreground a rectangular stone fire pit burns brightly while a barebodied priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left holding a flaming ladle or lamp toward the fire. Around the pit, several men in white dhotis and bare torsos sit on the ground, some with folded hands and some with ritual vessels of offerings, flowers and grains. Behind them a large white-and-red decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and weapons is surrounded by smaller statues of an elephant-headed deity and other figures, with brass oil lamps lit before the altar. A standing man in white clothing is visible in the background near the lights.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time homa at an outdoor pavilion. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at the centre holding a lit aarti lamp high above a sunken fire pit with a bright flame. Around the pit, several seated priests in white and one in yellow cloth chant and make offerings, with brass plates of flowers, grains and red offerings in front of them. Behind them stands a large deity murti with many arms, a lion and a mount, decorated with garlands, and smaller figures of Ganesha and other deities. Strings of coloured lights, hanging festival banners and a white canopy frame the scene. Several more people in white stand at the edges.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ceremony at an outdoor homa pit, with a fire glowing in a rectangular sunken fire pit lined with flower petals. A priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit lamp or torch high on the left. Around the pit, several seated ritual participants in white cloth and some in yellow dhotis hold offering plates of flowers, grains and red items. Behind them stands a decorated shrine with a large white-and-silver figure of a goddess, a lion mount, a deity murti with a garland, and bright string lights and a canopy. Brass oil lamps and banana-leaf decorations frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time puja in an open-air pandal before a decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, seated on a lion, draped with garlands and flanked by white floral-decorated figures. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls sit cross-legged on white cloth, one tapping a wooden drum-like stand, while offerings of fruit, bananas, plates of rice, a brass oil lamp and incense sticks are arranged on the floor. Behind them an orange-robed figure stands, and a seated person in a blue garment sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne. Strings of lights and bunting decorate the scene, and a woman in a yellow sari with a long braid sits in the foreground. Several people are present, including the seated figure on the throne; the physical count is limited to those visible.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A 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