Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor fire ritual at a homa pit paved with stone, with flower petals scattered on its rim. A standing priest in an unstitched white dhoti and shawl with a red border, wearing a flower garland, holds a lit camphor aarti flame and a small brass vessel. Seated white-clad priests sit around the pit; one with his palms joined in prayer, others holding brass plates and bowls of offerings and grains. A tall green plant stands by the fire. Behind, a tall tower is strung with multicoloured lights and a banner hangs overhead. Two more priests in white stand at the edge.

More like this

Open the gallery
Night photo of a homa fire pit outdoors, a square brick-lined pit with a tall palm-leaf stalk standing in it and flower petals scattered on its rim. A shaven-headed priest in a white dhoti with red borders and gold beaded necklace stands with palms pressed together in namaskar at the pit's edge. Seated white-clad priests around the pit hold trays and vessels, with brass lamps, bowls, fruit and marigold garlands nearby. Strings of multicoloured lights and a decorated pillar with a striped banner frame the scene. Two more standing figures in white are in the background.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in an outdoor ashram courtyard lit by strings of multicoloured fairy lights. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and a white upper cloth with red borders stands at the edge of a square fire pit, holding a lit camphor flame in a brass vessel while smoke rises. Garlands hang around his neck. Seated devotees in white clothes sit around the pit, one with hands folded in prayer, others with brass plates of offerings, rice, fruit and a lit brass lamp. Two more white-clad people stand in the background, and a tall palm-leaf stalk stands by the pit. Flower petals are scattered on the stone steps. A ceremonial wooden chair and a decorated pole add to the setting.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and a gold bead necklace holds a lit lamp over a square black fire pit edged with white and scattered flowers. Another priest in white with gold beads sits cross-legged beside a brass bell and offerings. A man in white with a yellow shawl photographs the scene with a camera, and bright red and yellow lights decorate a building behind. Brass lamps, a carved wooden seat and fruit trays surround the ritual area, with devotees seated in front.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a fire ritual (homa) in an outdoor courtyard. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and gold beaded necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a lit oil lamp with flames in his right hand. Seated priests around the pit wear white with red-bordered cloth and gold necklaces; one holds a brass bell, another a silver plate with a green cloth. Brass vessels, flower petals on the pit's edge, a carved wooden seat, and string lights and a painted pillar sit in the background. A cameraman in white with a yellow shawl films the scene.2010-10-16Night photo of a Vedic fire ritual at a homa pit, a square sunken fire pit edged with white steps and scattered flowers. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red-bordered shawl and gold beaded necklace stands at the pit holding a burning lamp or torch. Seated priests in white with gold necklaces surround the pit; one holds a silver tray with a green cloth, another sits near brass lamps and fruit. A man with a camera stands in the background, and strings of red and yellow lights decorate the backdrop. Brass lamps and offering bowls sit on the ground.2010-10-16Night photo of a homa fire ritual at a square fire pit (kunda) with white marble edging scattered with flower petals. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and a gold bead necklace stands holding a lit oil lamp or flame over the pit. Seated priests in white garments and gold necklaces attend nearby, one holding a silver tray with green cloth, one with white ash markings on the arm and a bell, and bowls of offerings, brass lamps and fruit are arranged on the mat. A man in white with a yellow shawl photographs the scene. Strings of colourful lights decorate a building behind, and a red and white banner stands at right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual at an ashram with strings of coloured fairy lights on a wall behind. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded mala stands centre, holding a flaming aarti lamp toward a row of tall burning sticks. Seated priests in white flank him; one at right holds hands folded in prayer and wears a garland, another at left holds a metal vessel. Brass bowls, fruit, red flower garlands and lit oil lamps are arranged on the floor. A deity murti with a green-and-gold garment appears at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard lit with multicoloured string lights. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with a maroon border and a gold bead necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a lit oil lamp flame in both hands. A seated priest in similar white clothes and gold necklace sits on a purple cloth beside brass lamps, fruit and flower offerings. Other seated priests in white, one holding a silver tray with a green cloth, and a man in white with a camera photograph the scene. Flower petals are scattered around the pit edge and a carved wooden chair stands behind it.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual photograph. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with red-bordered edges, wearing a beaded necklace, stands centre holding a lit flame in a brass vessel while waving it before him. Around him, seated devotees in white clothing with palms pressed together face the scene; one has a shaved head and tilak markings, another wears a gold necklace. In front, brass lamps, bowls of offerings, marigold garlands and a green and purple cloth sit on a low platform. Palm fronds, bamboo-hung leaf garlands and a decorated banner hang overhead, with circular metal hoops above. The scene suggests an aarti or homa-style puja.2010-10-15