Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A night-time homa or yagna at an outdoor shrine lit with string lights. A white-raised square fire pit stands in front of a deity murti with a crown and garlands. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha beads sits behind the pit. A woman in a white sari and a young girl in white sit beside him, and a man in white stands in the background near the pit. Trays of fruit, red flowers, coconuts, bananas and kumkum-coloured offerings are spread across a white cloth in the foreground. Hanging decorative banners in red, orange and white frame the scene, and a kalasha and oil lamps are visible on the right.

More like this

Open the gallery
Night photo of an outdoor homa ritual on a white-draped platform. A raised white square fire pit with a dark central basin sits at centre-right. Three people sit before it: a woman in a white sari with pink floral accents on the left, a young girl in a yellow garment in the middle, and a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold chains on the right, holding ritual items. Plates of mangoes, limes, coconuts, red chillies, sweets and marigold-like flowers are arranged on the cloth in front. Strings of fairy lights and a banana-leaf arch decorate the background, and a brass oil lamp stands by the pit.2010-10-12Night ritual scene at a homa fire pit: a square white-tiled altar with a dark central pit sits on a white cloth. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace and a white tilak on his forehead kneels behind it, holding a ladle over the pit. Two women in white and yellow saris sit to the left beside platters of red chillies, limes, coconuts and marigolds. Behind the altar stands a large illuminated deity murti, with a multi-armed goddess holding weapons and riding a lion, a Ganesha figure, lit brass oil lamps and a decorated arch. Strings of multicolored lights hang on a building in the background.2010-10-12Night-time homa at an open-air ritual site. A square white fire pit (homa kunda) with stepped edges sits in the foreground, surrounded by offering plates of limes, coconuts, red chillies, flowers, a bright orange cloth and a silver tray. Behind it, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded mala and yellow marks on his forehead performs the rite with raised hands, while two women in white and yellow saris sit at the altar. Strings of multicoloured lights and draped cloth decorate the background, and a brass lamp stands at the right edge.2010-10-12Night-time homa ritual before a large goddess deity murti with multiple raised arms, a lion mount, and a ganesha figure to the left. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested, stands at a square white fire pit (homa kunda) holding a ladle and offering into the flame. Two women in white and cream saris sit at left among trays of mangoes, coconuts, marigold and red flower petals, and a plate of sweets. String lights and tall ornate pillars decorate the open-air canopy, and a red cushioned seat is at right. No candidate for a person is visible, so the image shows only the priest and attendees.2010-10-12A night-time ritual at a homa or yagna pit: a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha-style necklace sits cross-legged before a square white-edged fire pit, hands folded in namaskar. Behind him a woman in a pale yellow sari and three men in white stand with hands joined, one holding a camera. Brass plates of mangoes, bananas, lemons, apples and coconuts lie on a white cloth in the foreground, with brass lamps and kalasha vessels nearby. Behind the pit is a large deity murti group with a goddess in red and white adornments, a lion, and smaller figures decorated with white flower garlands under a fringed canopy.2010-10-15Night outdoor ritual under a pavilion hung with red and white triangular bunting and red tassels. At left, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a flaming lamp over a fire pit as seated men in white clothes watch from the left edge. Standing priests in white with folded hands and a bare-shouldered figure in white stand behind. To the right, an altar holds fruit, brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel and a large deity murti with a yellow-orange crown and garlands, beside a clay image of an elephant-headed deity; string lights glow in the background. A chandi homa fire ritual with aarti is taking place.2010-10-16Indoor photograph of a homa fire ceremony in a temple hall at night. A square fire pit built of white bricks has a flame burning inside it. A man in white clothing with a yellow shawl sits cross-legged behind the pit, holding a ladle and offerings. Another man in white with a yellow cloth sits to the left, and two women in salwar-style dress sit on the floor at right facing the fire. Brass oil lamps stand around the pit, with brass plates of fruit, flowers, dried leaves and offerings on the floor. Behind them are small deity murti set in golden arches decorated with garlands, and a tall orange-robed figure stands in the upper background.2009-09-20Night photograph of an outdoor homa fire ceremony under a canopy strung with green leaves, orange flags and decorative hanging tassels. A square stone fire pit with flames stands in the centre, surrounded by petals. A priest in white dhoti and an orange turban pours offerings near the fire, while a man in white with a rudraksha-style garland holds a tray. Another priest in white kneels on a mat at left with hands folded over a brass plate. To the right a table holds brass oil lamps, fruit, sweets and offering plates; a decorated elephant-headed deity murti with a garland and a second murti stand beside it, lit by colourful string lights. Seated devotees in white and orange fill the left side of the audience area.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa or yagna at a temple shrine decorated with red string lights and a large ornate deity murti of a goddess in the background. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and sacred thread kneels on the left with hands folded in prayer, while a standing priest in white robes and a shawl holds a lamp or ritual implement beside a square black homa pit lined with white marble and scattered flower petals. Brass bowls, a kalasha-like vessel, fruit and oil lamps sit on the platform. Several young boys in white and seated devotees with folded hands are visible, and a canopy with fringed edging hangs above the shrine.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual before a deity murti of a multi-armed goddess, shown with a lion mount and several attendant figures. A priest with a bare shaved head, wearing a white dhoti and a gold necklace, sits on the left beside a small fire burning in a metal pit. In front of the murti are a large white square altar, brass oil lamps, and trays of fruit, coconuts and vegetables spread across a white cloth. On the right, a seated person in an orange-trimmed red garment sits in a red cushioned chair with a gilded armrest. Ornate white floral backdrops, decorative umbrellas and a red-and-gold canopy frame the scene.2010-10-11Night ritual photograph at an open-air pavilion lit by oil lamps and string lights. In the foreground a bare-shouldered priest in a white dhoti and gold necklace sits with his back to the camera before a fire pit on tiered white steps, with a flame rising from it. Behind him, a standing priest in white holds a lit lamp, and another priest in white stands near a brass vessel. Several white-clad people sit in rows at left. At right, a large deity murti decorated with white lace and floral garments stands beside brass oil lamps, fruit offerings and a red-and-green cloth on a low table. Red cloth banners hang from the pavilion ceiling.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies