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Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor homa ceremony at a white-tiled fire pit with a square raised hearth filled with dark ash and flower petals. A man in white dhoti and a saffron-and-white turban, wearing gold neck ornaments, sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne behind the pit, facing the crowd. Two priests in white robes with red borders sit at the pit; one speaks into a microphone, another in white sits near the front. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, a red flower garland and offerings surround the hearth. Decorative hanging cloth and mango-leaf strands are strung overhead, and a large audience of mostly white-clad and orange-clad devotees fills the right side of the frame.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time outdoor homa ceremony under a open canopy strung with green leaf garlands and hanging colourful cloth banners. A person in a white robe and white head covering sits on an ornate red and gold throne at the upper left, with a microphone-style setup nearby. In the centre, a square fire pit lined with white stone is surrounded by two priests in white dhoti with bare upper bodies and rudraksha-style neck garlands, seated on mats and performing offerings. Brass lamps, silver vessels, brass plates of grains and flowers, and a red cloth-wrapped bundle sit on the orange cloth. Several rows of seated devotees in orange, red and white clothing fill the middle and background, with a tall decorated structure at the right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a temporary canopy decorated with green leaf garlands, colourful striped hangings and curled yellow ornaments. On the left, a figure in red robes and a red and gold ornate throne is seated, adorned with a rudraksha-style necklace; this appearance is consistent with the a person candidate. Beside him, a man in orange robes sits near the offerings. In the centre, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl sits before a fire pit with brass lamps, a kalasha-style vessel and offerings, indicating a homa/yagna. Seated devotees in white clothes watch along the right, and a standing person in white stands at the far right near a temple structure. Oil lamps and flower garlands are placed on the red cloth.2010-10-11Night outdoor ceremony under a decorated canopy strung with mango leaves and a floral garland. A man in an ornate gold-and-red throne is seated centrally, wearing a cream turban, white dhoti-style cloth, and multiple beaded necklaces; he is smiling. Before him, a shaved-headed man in white with a red-bordered cloth kneels at a stone yajna pit or homa platform strewn with flower petals and brass vessels, holding offerings. To the right, an older bearded man with white hair, bare chest, body markings and beaded necklaces sits with hands folded in namaste, and a shaved-headed attendant in white stands at the edge. A man in saffron clothes stands near the throne holding a ceremonial item, and young girls in red and maroon traditional dress with flowers in their hair sit at left. Painted decorative pillars and a red flag frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual photo. A man in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a cream turban and a gold-beaded necklace, sits barefoot on an ornate red and gold throne. To the left, a shaved-headed priest in white with a gold necklace sits behind a microphone holding a book. In front, a square homa fire pit with white-painted edges, flower petals, a brass oil lamp with burning flame, a silver kalasha pot and a conch shell. Several seated women in red and saffron saris and children watch on the right, with silver trays of red offerings. Hanging yellow and green decorated pillars, marigold garlands and leaf festoons frame the stage. Both men are shown in ritual dress; a portrait labelled Paramahamsa Nithyananda could not be read.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor ritual stage with a central man seated on an ornate red velvet throne with gold trim, wearing a white one-shoulder cloth, a light-coloured turban and a gold bead necklace, hands folded in his lap. Beside him, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with gold beads sits before a microphone. A square white-draped fire pit with flower petals and brass vessels lies in front, with a tall brass oil lamp lit at left and a pink garlanded object nearby. Mango-leaf garlands and painted cylindrical banners hang behind. Several women and children in saris sit on the right near trays of red offerings.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa at an ashram. A fire burns in a square fire pit lined with white cloth and scattered yellow and orange flowers, with brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, a silver bowl and a ladle at its edge. Seated on a red and gold throne, a man in white dhoti and shawl, a white turban and multiple beaded necklaces watches the fire; the appearance-based cues are a turban and ornate necklaces, so he is a probable Swamiji candidate, seated in a position of honour beside an elderly man in an orange-brown robe in a cushioned chair. A standing man in orange robes stands behind, and a seated man in white with a green and red-bordered cloth lays out puja items in the foreground. A large seated audience of women and girls in white, red and saffron saris fills the background under hanging banana-leaf decorations.2010-10-16