Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A night photograph of a homa fire ritual in an ashram hall. A square fire pit burns brightly in the centre, with a long-handled ladle held by a bare-chested young priest on the left. Around it sit several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and shawls, wearing gold necklaces and rudraksha-style beads, some with a ladle or metal bowls of offerings and marigold petals. Behind them stands a framed portrait of a man in saffron robes and beads seated before a golden frame on a red throne-like chair, and a brass oil lamp flame is visible beside the altar. Floral garlands and decorated deity figures fill the background. Six people are visible.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA homa fire ritual is performed at night in an open ashram courtyard. A square fire pit lined with bright glowing embers sits centrally, with brass vessels, a ladle, and yellow and orange flower petals arranged around its edges. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and shawls with red borders, wearing gold necklaces, sit cross-legged around the pit; one in the foreground holds a long ladle pouring an offering, while others tend trays and bowls. Behind them, a deity murti is adorned with red and white flower garlands, and a framed portrait of a figure in saffron robes and a rudraksha mala sits on a red and gold throne-like chair with a gold-trimmed back. Strings of colourful lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA homa ritual at night in a temple setting. A priest in white dhoti with a reddish border, seated at the left, pours an offering from a ladle into a square fire pit lined with yellow-orange brick, where a flame burns. Around the pit, several shaved-headed men in white cloth wear beaded necklaces; one holds a small bowl. Brass vessels of liquid, marigold and rose petals, and a brass lamp sit on the stone platform. Behind them, red and white flower garlands hang over a red and gold seat, and a framed portrait on the throne shows a figure in saffron robes and a mala seated in a meditative pose. The camera caption and page indicate a Chandi Homa event. Visible people: about six.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night fire ritual (homa) in a temple hall. A priest in a red-bordered white dhoti sits on a wooden seat at a square fire pit filled with glowing embers, pouring an offering from a long ladle. Around the pit, several young men in white dhotis and cream shawls wearing yellow-beaded necklaces sit cross-legged, some holding offering dishes and ritual vessels. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha stand near the pit, with fresh marigold and red flower garlands draped on the left. In the upper right, a framed portrait shows a figure in saffron/orange robes with a gold necklace seated on a red and gold throne; it is a printed picture, not a person present. A shaved-headed priest's role is visible but the portrait's appearance cues are limited.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting, with a square brick fire pit filled with glowing embers at the centre. Shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and rudraksha-style beaded malas, sit around the pit making offerings. One priest on the left, bare-chested and seated on a wooden stool, holds a long ladle over the fire; another in front pours from a brass vessel of liquid. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands in red and white, and plates of offerings sit on the floor. In the background a framed photograph shows a smiling woman in orange robes seated on a red and gold throne, and colourful fairy lights hang behind the stalls.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor homa ritual at an ashram courtyard. A square fire pit of white marble sits in the centre, smoking, with marigold petals and offerings around its edges, including brass bowls, a plate of red offering, small lamps and flowers. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit cross-legged around it, many wearing gold-beaded necklaces. One priest in the foreground left holds a ladle over the fire, and another reads from an open book. Behind them stand carved and painted deity murtis with garlands and an orange-and-white striped backdrop. A large red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure wearing a long mala, with a brass lamp beside it. A wooden drum-like stand is at the left edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa ritual at night around a square fire pit of brick-like lining with a lit flame inside. Several shaven-headed priests sit cross-legged in white dhotis and white upper cloths with red borders, wearing gold necklaces. The priest in the foreground at left holds a large ladle over the fire, while others around the pit tend offering bowls of ghee, grains and flowers. Brass oil lamps, garlands of marigold and white flowers, and plates of offerings are arranged in front. Behind them a large ornate red and gold chair holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange robes with a garland; the portrait is a printed picture, not a live person.2010-10-16 +1 copies