Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A temple-style ritual on a stage with a fire pit at the front. Two men in white dhotis and white turbans stand with palms pressed together, garlanded with white flower necklaces, beside large gilded arched thrones. Behind them, a deity murti is dressed in colourful garlands of red, yellow and green, and a flame burns in the central fire pit. On the right, a bare-chested priest in orange-brown cloth holds a lit lamp toward the fire. Maroon curtains and a wall air conditioner sit behind the stage, with a loudspeaker on a stand.

More like this

Open the gallery
April 23 20132013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23A photograph of a temple ritual in progress. On the left, a priest in an orange-brown garment stands at a fire pit, holding a lit lamp toward a small shrine. In the centre, a figure in white ritual clothing with a white turban presses palms together in prayer before a flower-decorated golden throne. On the right, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a white turban and folded hands stands beside a richly adorned deity murti seated on a golden throne with a crown and gold ornaments. Both thrones are heaped with garlands of red, yellow and white flowers, with green and purple drapes. Flower petals and orange cloth lie on the marble floor, and a painted backdrop shows red and orange pillars.2012-04-23 +2 copiesA ceremonial wedding ritual inside a temple-style hall with a painted blue wall and colourful pillars. On the left, a priest with a shaved head, bare torso and white sacred markings holds a lit oil lamp beside a gold-framed throne draped in green cloth and garlanded. In the centre, a gold throne decorated with red, yellow and white flower garlands holds a deity murti. On the right, a gold-and-purple throne is garlanded with red and yellow flowers and holds a deity murti wearing a crown and ornaments, with an orange cloth behind it. In front, a man in white dhoti and turban stands with hands joined in namaskar, and another man in white with white garland and folded hands stands beside the right throne. A small fire burns in a pit at the lower left.2012-04-23 +2 copiesA photograph of a temple ritual inside a decorated shrine hall. In the centre, a man seen from behind wears a rust-red dhoti and draped red upper cloth with a saffron-gold waist sash, and a rudraksha mala around his neck, standing with hands folded before the altar. To the left, a priest in white dhoti and white head cloth, garlanded with white and red flower strands, folds his hands in prayer beside a small fire lamp on the floor. To the right, another priest in white with a white turban, also garlanded, stands with palms joined. The altar holds deity murtis decorated with garlands of yellow, red and green flowers, behind a gold arched frame. On the far right, a pink-draped seat holds a small deity figure with an orange headpiece and a green backdrop, garlanded with white flowers. Flower petals are scattered on the floor.2012-04-23 +2 copiesA temple-style ritual hall with a white tiled floor and a blue and green painted backdrop with ornate red and gold motifs. In the foreground a shaven-headed man in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala kneels before a small fire pit built of yellow blocks, with a flame rising and fruit, coconuts and flowers on plates beside it. Behind him a man in white dhoti and shawl with gold border, wearing a white head cloth and a flower garland, stands with palms joined. A second man in white dhoti and gold-bordered shawl, with a white cap and garland, stands with hands folded near a gilded chair holding a decorated deity murti dressed in pink and green with a garland. On the left, a seated figure in a red-and-gold patterned throne decorated with flowers, and a smoky haze fills the room. A deity figure in purple and gold clothing stands at the right edge beside a flower-draped throne.2012-04-23 +2 copiesA photograph of a homa at a temple-style hall with a brick fire pit burning in the foreground. A man in orange robes sits cross-legged at left with hands folded in prayer. Behind, a priest in white dhoti and a cap stands before ornate gold thrones draped in marigold garlands and red cloth, where deity murti are seated. A second robed figure in saffron stands near the middle, and small offerings, fruit, flowers and kalasha vessels are arranged on the floor with rose petals scattered on a red rug. Gold-framed thrones and red velvet drapes complete the setting. Three to four physical people are visible.2015-01-09A temple-style ritual hall with a white marble floor and blue-and-gold painted walls. On the left, a seated figure in saffron robes with a flower garland sits on a decorated throne. In front, a priest in saffron kneels beside a small fire, while another saffron-clad attendant bends to tend the flame, which is surrounded by yellow-painted bricks and brass offering plates of fruit. On the right, a golden throne is heavily garlanded with red, orange and yellow flowers, and a deity murti in gold and silver ornaments sits on it. A standing attendant in white dhoti and shawl with gold borders holds a garland, and another white-clad figure stands by the throne. A green backdrop and a small golden-framed shrine sit between the groups. The scene looks like a homa or puja with offerings.2012-04-23 +2 copiesA ritual homa at a stage-like hall with a sunken yellow brick fire pit burning in the foreground, flames rising near offerings of green leaves, fruit, and small brass bowls. A man in orange clothes kneels at the left with hands folded in prayer. Behind the fire, a man in a white dhoti and shawl stands facing away from the camera, with a lighter-robed attendant nearby. Three ornate thrones draped in red-and-orange flower garlands stand across the stage, with a deity murti adorned with jewellery and garlands seated on the right, and a decorated seat with gold ornaments and a bright garland at the centre. A dark maroon curtain and white ceiling lights frame the scene.2015-01-09January 09 20152015-01-09April 30 20152015-04-30A temple-style ritual hall with a golden-framed platform decorated with multicoloured flower garlands and yellow marigold strands. Two seated deity murti, one crowned and jewelled, are adorned with garlands on the right, with a central deity murti in green and red garlands beside them. On the far left a bare-chested person in orange cloth sits with hands folded near a red-and-gold throne. A man in white dhoti with a red-beaded garland stands in the centre, and a man in saffron-brown cloth raises an arm to the deities. A square fire pit of yellow bricks holds a small flame, surrounded by brass vessels, fruit, flowers and scattered petals on a white floor.2015-01-09 +1 copies