Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a padapuja ceremony on a stage. A man with long dark hair, a red bindi and a sky-blue draped robe with a gold-beaded necklace sits on an ornate gold throne with carved lion-head armrests, smiling with hands folded. Four devotees in white and cream clothing sit on the floor before him; two men at left are shaven-headed, one in white with a red-bordered cloth and white markings on his arms, and two women at right wear cream saris, one with an orange border. Brass oil lamps stand on either side of the throne beneath orange fringed drapes, and offering plates with flowers and fruit rest in front. The backdrop shows a painted temple scene with a deity image.

More like this

Open the gallery
A padapuja ceremony on a raised golden stage. A person with long dark hair sits on an ornate golden throne wearing a light blue draped garment, a beaded necklace and bangles, with hands folded in lap. Four devotees sit on the floor in front: a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with a red border, another person in white, and two women in white and cream saris, one with a braid and orange trim. The priest holds a metal plate with flowers and offering items near the seated figure's feet. Brass oil lamps stand on either side, and orange drapes with garlands hang above. Pink flower offerings sit on brass plates at the front, and the backdrop shows carved temple architecture.2011-02-13A figure in a light blue draped garment and multiple beaded necklaces sits on an ornate gold throne with carved armrests, long dark hair falling past the shoulders, hands folded in lap. Four seated attendants in white and cream clothing face him at the foot of the throne: two shaved-headed men in white dhotis with white ash marks on their bodies, and two young women in cream and pale saris, one with a braid and orange sash. Brass oil lamps stand on either side, and plates of flowers and offerings rest on the floor. Behind the throne hang orange fringed cloths and a painted temple backdrop with pillars. This is a padapuja-style ceremony where devotees wash or honour the seated figure's feet.2011-02-13A photograph of a seated figure on an ornate gold throne with carved lion-shaped armrests, raising one hand in a blessing gesture. The figure wears a sky-blue draped garment, a long string of gold beads and bracelets, and has long swept-back dark hair; these cues match the Swamiji (probable) appearance described for the page, and the figure is seated on the throne. Four devotees sit in a semicircle on the floor in front of the throne: two shaved-headed men in white dhoti-style cloth with sacred threads and a woman in a cream sari, plus a woman in a cream sari with a braid; their hands are folded or seated in reverence. Brass oil lamps flank the throne, with orange drapes and marigold garlands hanging above, and a temple-pillar backdrop behind.2011-02-13A seated figure in a light blue dhoti-style garment and blue sleeveless top, with long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and a gold necklace, sits on an ornate golden throne with lion-headed armrests. Five people in white and cream traditional dress sit on the stage floor before him, holding plates of offerings and tending a puja. Two oil lamps flank the throne, orange draped cloth hangs above and garlands decorate the backdrop, which shows a temple-like photographic print. Swamiji (probable) is seated on the throne, identified by the long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklace.2011-02-13February 12 20112011-02-12 +1 copiesA photograph of a padapuja ceremony in a hall with a large ornate gold throne (peetha) at centre. A man with long dark hair, wearing a blue shawl and blue garment, a multi-strand beaded necklace and gold armlets, sits on the throne with his hands folded; the outfit and hair match the appearance-based Swamiji cues, so he is a probable Swamiji. Before him, several devotees sit on the floor: a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red-tinted marks, and women in cream and beige saris, one holding a small glass. Orange drapes hang behind the throne, with garlands in pink, white and green, brass oil lamps and silver plates with offerings at the sides.2011-02-13A photograph of a Pada Puja ceremony in a temple-style hall. A man with long, swept-back dark hair and a light blue shawl over a light blue top sits on an ornate gold throne carved with lion heads and floral patterns, raising his right hand in blessing. Rudraksha beads hang around his neck. Four people in white dhotis and garments sit before the throne, holding lit oil lamps and offerings, including a figure with a shaved head and a woman in a white and red sari. Gold oil lamps stand on both sides, and an orange curtain hangs at the top. The background shows painted temple pillars. Swamiji (probable) is seated on the throne with cues of long swept-back hair, blue shawl and rudraksha beads, presiding over the puja as its central figure.2011-02-13A photograph of a seated figure on an ornate gold throne with carved lion armrests and a gold canopy above, in a decorated hall with garlands of orange, white, red and green flowers. The seated figure wears a light blue sleeveless top and blue draped cloth, has long dark hair, a red bindi, rudraksha beads and gold bangles, and sits in meditation with hands in a mudra. Four people in white clothing and one woman in a cream sari sit on the orange-carpeted floor before the throne, heads bowed in devotion. Brass oil lamps and silver trays with offerings stand nearby.2011-02-13A seated man in a pale blue robe and blue top, with a long shawl over the shoulders, multiple beaded necklaces and a red bindi, sits on an ornate gold throne carved with lions and scrolling designs. He gestures with one hand while speaking. Four people in white and cream traditional dress sit on the floor before him: a shaved-headed man in white with a red-bordered cloth, a second shaved-headed man in white, and two women in cream saris, one with hair in a long plait. Brass oil lamps stand on either side of the throne beneath orange drapes and marigold garlands, with a gilded backdrop of temple pillars behind. a person is described by the long swept-back hair, multiple beaded necklaces and blue robe on the throne, with the throne and offerings as setting; this identification is uncertain.2011-02-13A photograph of a puja inside a decorated hall. A man with long swept-back dark hair sits on an ornate gold throne with a raised right hand in blessing, wearing a sky-blue shawl over a light blue garment, several strands of rudraksha-style beads and a pendant, and gold bangles. Four people in white ritual cloth sit in front of the throne, holding small cups and lamps. Two women in saris are at the right, one holding a glass cup, and another holding a lamp. Lit oil lamps stand on gold pedestals at both sides, orange drapes hang above, and garlands decorate the top. The backdrop shows painted temple scenery.2011-02-13A seated man in a golden ornate throne with lion-head armrests sits centrally, wearing a light blue draped garment, a rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklaces, with gold armlets. Before him, a bald priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels with a brass tray, while several women in cream and gold saris kneel in a row, one wearing a yellow sari. Brass oil lamps and silver trays stand on the floor, with orange cloth hangings and garlands behind. The scene resembles a padapuja. The seated man has distinctive visible cues of long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and ornate gold necklaces, so he is described as Swamiji (probable).2011-02-13A man with long swept-back dark hair and a vibhuti mark on his forehead sits on an ornate gilded throne with carved lion-head armrests and a large golden back panel. He wears a sky-blue sleeveless garment with a blue wrap, multiple rudraksha malas, a pendant necklace, and gold armlets. Two bare-shouldered seated people are partially visible at the bottom edge. Behind the throne are temple-style painted backdrops and a hanging orange and green garland.2011-02-13