Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A homa fire ritual at an outdoor camp setting with snow and pine trees behind. A long-haired figure in a cream and gold-bordered white robe sits cross-legged with palms pressed together in prayer before a brick fire pit holding stacked wood and a small flame. A woman in a white and gold-bordered shawl kneels at left holding a plate of flowers and offerings. Two standing men in white dhotis or kurtas and dark jackets hold large ornate red, orange and gold parasols with floral medallions. Brass oil lamps, a brass pot and a bell rest on a table near the fire, and a red and orange garland hangs at right. Other people in white and brown clothing stand in the background. Several visible people; the sitting figure has distinctive long swept-back hair, ceremonial dress and a presiding role, so the in-person identification is a probable candidate.

More like this

Open the gallery
Outdoors among pine trees with snow patches, a seated man in white and gold-bordered robes sits with palms pressed together before a brick fire pit (homa/yagna) lined with golden flowers, where a small fire burns on kindling. Above him stands a large ceremonial parasol with red and gold fringe and a canopy of bird-patterned panels. Around him, attendants in white dhotis and kurtas hold ornate parasols, an attendant in a white sari kneels beside a plate of flowers, and a bronze lamp and kalasha sit nearby. A figure in a white robe with a rudraksha-style necklace stands with hands joined, and a figure in dark jacket holds a parasol pole. Offerings such as bananas, dried sticks, coconut and small bottles lie on the ground, and a garlanded red-draped object is at the right edge.2006-04-01Outdoor ritual in a wooded camp setting with snow patches. A woman in white garments with gold borders sits with palms pressed together in prayer behind a brick fire pit (homa kunda) holding wood and flowers. A kneeling woman in white and gold-bordered cream dress offers a plate of flowers and rice beside the pit. Several people stand behind holding ornate decorated umbrellas with orange, red and white fabric and floral patterns, and brass oil lamps and kalashas are placed around the platform. Standing attendants in white and dark jackets watch, one man wearing a rudraksha-style mala. Coconuts, bananas and bowls of offerings sit on the ground in front.2006-04-01Outdoor ritual homa at a snowy mountain camp. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing a cream and gold-trimmed white garment, sits with palms pressed together before a square fire pit where flames rise from wood. Behind him a man in a black jacket and white dhoti holds a large ornate red-and-gold umbrella, and a man in a brown jacket and red shawl, with a brown cap, stands with hands folded. Nearby a woman in white with a gold-edged shawl sits holding a bowl, and a man in a blue hooded top holds an orange flag. Tall brass lamps, a brass kalasha-style vessel, floral garlands and a small decorated vessel sit on a white-draped table. Snow is on the ground and trees stand behind.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual in snowy woodland. A long-haired man in cream and white robes sits on a raised seat at the centre of a brick homa fire pit lined with yellow and orange flowers, hands extended palms-down over the flames, eyes closed. Two ceremonial umbrellas with red, orange and gold fabric and embroidered bird motifs stand above him, held by men and a woman in white clothing. A woman in white kneels at left holding a plate of offerings, and a man in dark jacket crouches beside her. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, coconut, wooden kindling and small bowls surround the pit. Snow lies on the ground behind the wooden structures.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a wooded camp with snow patches. A long-haired man in a cream and gold silk dhoti and shawl sits on a low seat, holding a small brass lamp with a flame over a square brick fire pit lined with yellow-marigold garlands and filled with wood sticks. Around him, several people in white garments stand and kneel: a man in white with a gold-bordered wrap holds a tall ornate umbrella, another man in black jacket and white dhoti holds a second umbrella, and a man in white with a black shawl and pendant stands nearby. A woman in cream sari kneels at left arranging offerings on a tray of coconut, flowers, grains and wood. Brass lamps and vessels stand around. Red and orange ceremonial umbrellas with fringe and a rope of colourful flowers appear at right. A fire ritual.2006-04-01A photograph of an outdoor homa at a wooded camp with snow on the ground. A long-haired man in a cream and gold-bordered white garment sits on a wooden seat behind a brick fire pit with burning embers, hands pressed together in prayer. A woman in a cream shawl kneels at the left beside offerings of flowers, fruit, a coconut and bundled sticks. Behind them, standing attendants in white clothing and dark jackets hold red, gold and orange umbrellas and a tall brass lamp stand. A small conical sacred stone with a red cloth and garlands sits at the right, and a flag hangs at the upper right.2006-04-01An outdoor homa at a wooded camp. A long-haired man in cream and gold-bordered white robes sits on a low wooden seat with his palms cupped over a small brick fire pit where flames burn; a woman in a cream shawl kneels beside him at the fire. Around them stand attendants in white kurtas, a dark jacket and a brown jacket; a woman in a light blue jacket and a woman in a blue head covering hold large decorated umbrellas with red and yellow panels showing white doves. Brass lamps, a brass kalasha and a brass bell sit on a white-draped table, with marigold flower garlands and fruit offerings on banana leaves and trays in front. Patches of snow lie on the ground behind.2006-04-01Outdoors among pine trees in a misty forest clearing, a fire ritual is underway. A man with long dark hair and a cream-colored silk kurta with gold trim sits cross-legged at a low ornamental altar, raising his hands over a small fire of burning logs. Beside him a woman in a white sari with gold border sits holding an offering bowl. Behind them, standing men in white dhotis and orange or red shawls hold ornate multicolored umbrella-like canopies and a tall brass oil lamp. A man in a red jacket holds a long ceremonial staff, and a figure in a blue hooded jacket stands at right. Brass vessels, marigold and flower garlands, and a copper kalasha sit on a white-draped table at right. Some people hold a saffron flag.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a snowy wooded camp. A man with long dark hair, wearing a cream-gold silk garment with gold trim and a pendant, sits on a wooden seat with hands folded at his chest in front of a brick fire pit with a burning fire and offerings. A woman in a white sari with gold border kneels to the left holding a brass plate of flowers and offerings. Behind him, a man in a dark jacket holds a multicoloured umbrella-canopy and a man in a red jacket with a red-and-gold shawl stands with hands joined beside a tall brass lamp stand. Other people in hooded jackets, a blue robe and a dark hooded garment stand nearby under a floral umbrella, with a red-orange flag at right. Snow lies on the ground and benches behind them.2006-04-01Outdoor homa at a snowy camp in pine woods. A seated man in white dhoti and a cream shawl with gold border sits before a brick fire pit where a small fire burns; his hands are raised to his head. Around him, standing men in white clothes and a man in a red shawl hold ceremonial items; a woman in a white sari sits to the left beside brass bowls of flowers and wood. A brass lamp stand and a tall red-and-orange canopy with fringe stand behind. Several people in winter jackets are visible at the edges.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual in a snowy pine forest. A seated man with long dark hair, wearing a cream and white garment with gold border, sits on a wooden chair with arms crossed over his chest in front of a brick fire pit where a wood fire burns with flowers and offerings. Behind him, men in white dhotis and a man in a red-brown shawl hold a multicoloured fringed canopy and ceremonial parasols. To the left a woman in a white sari holds a brass bowl beside plates of flowers and offerings, and a brass oil lamp stands at right. Brass vessels and a bell rest near the fire.2006-04-01Outdoor fire ritual at a snowy forest camp. A seated man in cream and gold robes with long dark hair and a forehead tilak raises one hand before a brick fire pit with a burning fire and offerings. Beside him a woman in white draped cloth holds a brass bowl of grains. Standing attendants in white dhotis and a red shawl hold a large ornate multicoloured parasol with orange fringes, and a man in a brown jacket holds a tall brass lamp. Flower petals and brass vessels lie around the pit. Snow is visible on the ground behind them.2006-04-01