Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A night-time homa scene at an outdoor ashram pavilion. In the centre, a seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a shaved head and gold necklace, tends a square white stone fire pit (homa kunda) with offerings and vessels. Behind him, a row of colourful deity murtis, including a goddess figure with multiple arms and a lion, stands under white floral arches. A figure in a turban and white robes sits on a red and gold throne at right, with a plain cream armchair nearby, and a second priest in white sits beside the fire pit. Red chillies are heaped on silver trays and cloth in the foreground, and string lights, kalasha pots and banners decorate the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi homa ritual in a temple pavilion. A priest in white dhoti with bare upper body and gold armlet sits cross-legged at a white marble fire altar, handling a ritual object over brass vessels and kalasha. Behind him stands a large deity murti decorated with white floral arches, garlands and a red-robed goddess form. Beside the altar, a figure in white dhoti and a white turban sits in an ornate red throne with gold trim, and another seated person in white is nearby. Bowls of red kumkum or flowers and oil lamps surround the altar, with string lights in the background and a beige armchair to the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held outdoors under a canopy. Several large deity murtis draped in white garlands and flower decorations stand in the background, including a goddess figure in red and gold with a flower garland. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and bare upper body sits cross-legged at a stone homa fire pit, tending the fire with a long ladle. Trays of red offerings and copper vessels lie on white cloth. Beyond the pit, a person in white dhoti and shawl with a white turban and gold necklaces sits on an ornate red and gold throne, with a priest in white seated beside him reading from a text on a stand. Strings of lights and colourful pillars decorate the space.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ritual before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white floral backdrop and a canopy above. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises his arm beside a square fire pit with a dark ash surface, brass pots, oil lamps and scattered flowers. Smoke rises through the frame. Seated to the right, a man in white with a yellow shawl and bead necklace sits on a red and gold throne-like chair holding a tray, while beside him a man in orange robes with white markings on his arms and forehead sits on a cushion. Several other seated figures in orange and red clothing face the fire, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 11 20102010-10-11A night-time homa ritual in a decorated hall. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and sacred markings pours an offering from a vessel over a white square fire pit where a dark fire burns, with brass bowls, a ghee vessel and flower petals around it. Behind the pit stands a large ornate deity murti framed by a silver arch, surrounded by people in orange and saffron robes. On the right, a figure in white is seated on a red and gold throne, with a sannyasi in orange robes and white-streaked forehead seated beside him. Strings of red lights and hanging fabric decorate the background. Smoke fills the air.2010-10-16Night-time puja before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with multiple arms and a crown, set in an ornate white floral arch under a fringed canopy. Smaller murtis of Ganesha and other deities flank her, with brass oil lamps lit on either side. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala, sits at a white abhishekam platform with brass vessels and offerings of bananas, mangoes and coconuts. A second priest in white kneels in the background. On the right, a person in a red and gold sari sits in a gilded red throne-like chair. Multiple people are present but only a few are clearly visible.2010-10-11A night-time photograph of a Chandi homa in a decorated hall. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold border kneels at a white and black square fire pit, pouring ghee with a ladle over the offerings while flowers lie on the pit's edge. Another priest in white stands at left, raising a brass vessel toward the fire. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with a canopy, flanked by smaller murtis and garlanded figures; several women in red and orange saris sit nearby. At right, a man wearing a cream-and-saffron turban, white garment and long gold necklace smiles while seated on a red and gold throne-like chair. Strings of lights and a brass plate sit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of an evening Chandi Homa at an ashram pandal decorated with red and orange drapes, strings of lights and a large deity murti framed by white floral arches. A priest in a white dhoti with a red border stands at left holding a silver tray and a brass plate. In the centre, a shaved-headed priest in white with a yellow cloth kneels beside a square fire pit, offering from a small bowl, while women in red and orange saris sit nearby with brass lamps and flowers. At right, a smiling young man in a cream turban and white garment with gold ornaments sits on a red-cushioned seat with an orange cloth draped over the armrest. Marigold petals are scattered around the fire pit and a brass vessel sits on the floor.2010-10-16Photograph of a nighttime homa ceremony before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, in a decorated hall with hanging lights and smoke rising. A man in white dhoti and white shirt kneels at a square fire pit, tending it with offerings, with brass vessels, lamps and flower petals on the white platform. To the right, a man in white robes and a white turban holds a plate of offerings. Beside him stands an older sadhu with a white beard, bare upper body, white markings on his arms, and a red-orange cloth wrapped around his waist. Behind them a red throne with gold trim sits empty, and other white-clad devotees are seated in the background.2010-10-16Night photo of a homa fire ritual at a temple-style setting decorated with string lights and a deity murti group with a lion and goddess figure on the left. Around a rectangular fire pit with an open flame, about seven men in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces perform the ritual, one pouring offerings. Plates of fruit, flowers, red kumkum-like powder and nuts sit on the cloth-covered tables. On a red throne with gold trim at the right, a framed portrait shows a seated figure in orange garments, labelled as a portrait without legible caption. Yellow and red bunting hangs overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual at an outdoor shrine decorated with fairy lights and colourful pennants. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a lit flame or aarti lamp toward a large deity murti adorned with white flower garlands, a lion mount and a crowned goddess figure with multiple arms. Seated devotees in white dhotis, some with rudraksha malas, surround a square fire pit with smoke rising, and brass plates of offerings, fruit and red flowers are arranged on the ground. A red and orange sofa-like seat with orange cloth stands at the right edge. a person is not visibly identifiable among the people present, so no candidate is named.2010-10-16 +1 copies