Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night photograph of a homa fire ritual outdoors under a leafy garland. At the centre, a standing priest in white dhoti and a golden turban holds his hands over a square fire pit with flames and smoke. Beside him, a bare-chested priest in white with gold necklaces holds a lit lamp. Other men in white dhotis and ceremonial necklaces stand around the altar, and a row of boys in white sits to the left. In the foreground, a shaved-headed man in white with gold necklaces faces the fire. Brass lamps, plates of flowers and offerings, and a purple cloth-covered table with red and gold garlands stand at the right. A carved wooden peetha-like backrest is behind the fire pit.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna site. A priest in white dhoti and a pale peach turban holds up a lit camphor flame on a brass aarti lamp, with smoke rising around him. Beside him, another priest in white bends over a fire pit with a large round wooden drum-like object and brass vessels. A third man in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right. A row of mango leaves is strung across the top. Seated devotees in white, some in yellow and orange, sit on white cloth at left, including several children. Brass plates, bells and offerings sit on the mat.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual at an open-air ceremonial area. In the foreground a fire pit burns beside a carved wooden or stone yoni-style base and brass plates. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban holds a flaming lamp and a bell, while a shaved-headed priest in white with a red-bordered cloth and rudraksha mala holds a brass bowl. Behind them, shaved-headed priests in white clothes stand with palms pressed together, and a row of young boys in white with red scarves sits on the left. Green leaf garlands and a decorated pillar with colourful patterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space lit by lamps, with a raised square fire pit of white-tiled steps where a bright flame burns and flower petals lie scattered. In the foreground, a bare-shouldered priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace faces the fire from behind. Standing near the pit, a woman in white sari with a yellow-orange head wrap and beaded necklaces raises her hand over the fire, while a man in white robes kneels beside a carved wooden stool. Behind them, a row of seated devotees in white and orange clothing fills the mat-covered ground, with garlanded green leaf torans overhead and a decorated seat with red and green fabric and brass lamps on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa at an ashram. A central fire pit with a blazing flame sits in front, with marigold petals scattered on its stone edges. A woman in white drapery with a tan head wrap and gold arm bands and necklaces pours from a silver vessel while holding a yellow-tinted ceremonial item over the fire. Behind her a man in white dhoti with gold malas stands holding a silver pot. Another man kneels at the far side tending a lamp, and a figure in white with folded hands stands at right. Men in white robes and a few seated boys watch at left. A carved wooden drum-like object and a hanging orange lantern and leaf festoons frame the scene.2010-10-16A rotated night photograph of a fire ritual. Several priests in white dhoti and shawl clothing stand in a row, several wearing gold necklaces and bead malas. The foreground priest holds a bright flaming vessel in both hands, and a large brass lamp or pot with flames rises from a brick fire pit at left. Behind them, a row of devotees in white and yellow clothing stands in the dim background beneath hanging green leaves and marigold garlands. A large round brass plate or drum sits in the lower left foreground, and a wrapped cloth banner hangs near the right side. This appears to be an evening homa or fire puja with offerings being made in a fire pit.2010-10-16Night outdoor fire ritual. A bare-shouldered priest in white dhoti kneels in the foreground before a bright fire pit. Behind him a white-robed priest in an orange-and-white turban stands with palms pressed together in prayer, and other white-clad priests stand nearby, several with rudraksha malas. Seated devotees in white clothes line the left side. Brass oil lamps burn on the right beside platters of fruit and flowers, a red-and-green draped seat, and a kalasha-like vessel held by a priest. Strings of leaves hang overhead and a green-and-white garland decorates the background. Several priests here appear to be in white with a visible silver-coloured urn; no clearly identifiable a person figure is evident.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies