Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A seated group of devotees in a bright indoor hall performs an aarti or puja, each holding a small oil lamp and lit flames in front of them. Most men are shaved-headed and wear white dhotis with red-and-white bordered shawls, and several wear rudraksha malas. Women in white, yellow and red saris sit toward the back and sides, and a few children in striped shirts watch from the right. A plate of offerings and a low altar stand in front of the group, with red curtains and a fan in the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
Devotees sit cross-legged on the floor in rows in a bright hall with pink walls, red curtains and tiled floor, performing a group ritual with lit oil lamps (diyas) held outstretched in their hands. Many men are shaved-headed and wear white dhoti-style cloth with red-striped borders and rudraksha malas; some wear saffron-orange robes. Brass plates with offerings and small brass lamps sit before them. Women in yellow, red and white saris and children sit in the rows behind, with a fan and windows visible at the back.2011-08-04November 06 20112011-11-06A photograph of a large indoor ritual session on a tiled floor with many seated participants holding small oil lamps (diyas) in their hands, with plates of fruit and offerings set on mats in front of them. Foreground men shave-headed wear white dhotis with red-and-cream striped borders and rudraksha malas; several in the middle rows wear white and yellow clothing, and children in shirts sit among the adults. Red curtains frame tall windows, a table with containers sits in the background, and a ceiling fan is visible at right. The scene reads as a group puja with lamps, though no single presider is clearly identifiable.2011-08-01A large hall with a glossy pale floor and red curtains is filled with seated devotees performing a group aarti with lit oil lamps. In the foreground, a man in a white dhoti with yellow border holds a lit lamp toward a plate, and beside him a man in saffron robe with a shaved head holds a lamp. Two framed portraits hang high on the back wall. Behind them, a crowd of seated participants in mixed white, yellow, red and orange clothing faces the front, with several women in yellow shawls and sari-clad women among them.2011-07-23A hall with pink walls, red curtains and framed portraits on the wall performs a group puja. Rows of men sit cross-legged on mats in white dhotis and shawls with red-and-gold borders, many wearing rudraksha malas. They hold oil lamps and offer incense and small brass plates of flowers, fruit and bananas on the floor. On the left a man in a saffron-orange robe sits among them. Women in yellow and white saris sit further back, and the room is lit by natural light from tall windows.2011-07-31February 03 20132013-02-03A photograph of a large indoor hall where many men in white dhotis with maroon-and-gold borders sit cross-legged in long rows on the floor, holding small oil lamps aloft in both hands. Each seated participant has a brass plate with offerings, flowers and small items on a mat in front of them. Behind them, women in white and coloured saris sit in the background, and a few people in saffron-orange clothing stand near the back wall. A video camera on a tripod stands at the left edge of the frame. The setting is a pada puja worship session with lamp offerings.2011-08-02A photograph of a large group of men seated on the floor in rows, performing an aarti-style ritual with lit oil lamps held in their hands. Most wear white dhotis and white upper cloths with maroon borders, and many have rudraksha malas around their necks. In the front centre, a man in an orange saffron cloth holds a lamp and sits beside brass plates of offerings. A tripod-mounted camera stands at the left edge. Behind them a white wall and red curtain are visible, and thali plates with flowers and diyas are arranged on the floor.2010-11-30January 25 20132013-01-25June 05 20112011-06-05A photograph of a large group seated on the floor of a tiled hall performing a puja with lit oil lamps held in their hands. In the foreground, several men in white dhoti-style clothing with red-and-gold borders sit with shaved heads and hold flames, while a man in orange-saffron robes sits near the center. Behind them, rows of participants in yellow, white and red garments hold lit lamps. Brass plates with offerings, flowers and small bowls lie on mats before them. Yellow and green mats cover the floor, and a red curtain hangs by a window.2011-07-29A photograph of a seated group performing a ritual in a bright, pale pink hall with large windows. Men in front wear white dhotis with red-and-gold borders and bare upper bodies with white tilak marks on their foreheads and arms; others wear saffron-orange robes. Many hold small brass lamps or bells and raise them toward plates of offerings laid on orange mats and trays in front of them. Behind them, women and children in colourful salwar kameez sit in rows. Framed portraits hang on the back wall above the windows, and mats and a wall fan are visible at the right.2011-08-07