Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a golden temple shrine centred on a gilded bronze Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, standing on a demon figure within an ornate flaming arch, with a pair of golden devotee statues flanking a golden Shri Chakra-style base. A pair of forearms and hands, one wearing a rudraksha mala, pours a stream of golden turmeric or abhishekam liquid from a golden pot over the statue on the right. Garlands of yellow, orange, pink and white flowers hang on dark green velvet behind the deities. The scene shows a daily abhishekam ritual at a temple altar.

More like this

Open the gallery
A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a shrine. A person's arm, bare and with a small tattoo on the wrist, pours a thick yellow liquid from a golden pot onto a tiered golden yantra-like base. Behind is a golden Nataraja murti dancing within an arched aureole, flanked by garlands of orange marigolds, pink flowers and white jasmine strands against dark green velvet drapery. On the left stands a golden figure of a bare-chested male devotee with folded hands, and on the right a golden female figure in a deep maroon garment holding a staff-like object. The person pouring wears rudraksha malas and white ritual cloth at the lower edge of the frame. The yellow liquid streams down over the base onto the glass-topped table.2024-02-21A gilded Nataraja murti of Shiva dancing within a flaming circular prabhavali halo, standing on a lotus pedestal and trampling a small figure below. Flanking it are two gold-painted standing statues, a male devotee-figure on the left with raised hand and a female figure on the right holding a pot. A golden sri yantra-like pyramid stands in front. A human hand with a brass bell and rudraksha bracelet offers a flame or oil lamp to the central deity. Green velvet backdrop with marigold, white and pink garlands, and scattered rose petals on the altar tray.2024-02-21A photograph of a golden Nataraja murti of Shiva dancing within a circular flaming arch, standing on a dwarf figure beneath him. Flower garlands of orange, yellow, pink and white frame the shrine. In front, a hand at the left holds a lit camphor or flame near a small bell, with a bright flame burning beside the dancing figure. Flanking the central tiered shrine are a standing male figure with a raised hand on the left and a female figure holding a vessel on the right, both gold-toned. Marigold petals lie scattered on the base and the shelf. This is a deity shrine scene with aarti being performed; no person's face is visible.2024-02-21December 23 20182018-12-23A priest in an orange cloth pours water from a golden pot over a gilded bronze statue of Nataraja, Shiva as the dancing Lord, during an abhishekam. The priest is seen from behind on the left, wearing rudraksha beads on his wrist and neck, with a bare upper body. The dancer stands on a small figure within a flaming arch, with a crown and flowing scarf, set before a golden latticed screen with blue inserts. Water streams down the statue. Overlaid text reads a day-five abhishekam caption.2021-02-28 +2 copiesClose-up photograph of an abhishekam being performed on a gilded metal murti of Shiva seated with Parvati beside him, under an ornate arched canopy. A pair of bare hands, one wearing a beaded bracelet and bangles, pours liquid from a silver vessel over the figures; yellow liquid runs down the golden surfaces and collects on the base. Shiva holds a damaru in one raised hand and shows an abhaya gesture with another. Parvati wears a draped green-gold garment. The background is blurred with blue and green fabric. Only the hands of the officiant are visible.2011-11-10KAILASA SEATTLE, USA on 9/19/20212021-09-19A bare-chested priest in a cream dhoti with a gold border and a rudraksha mala pours water from a golden kalasha over a large gilded Nataraja murti in dancing pose. The gilded deity stands on a lotus base within an ornate golden prabhavali arch, against deep red velvet drapery. Smaller gilded attendant figures kneel at the base, and a seated gilded figure in a red cloth sits beside the pedestal. The scene shows abhishekam.2021-09-19November 10 20112011-11-10Temple abhishekam before a golden Nataraja murti of dancing Shiva within an ornate golden arch, with a black lingam on a stone base at the centre. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis perform the ritual: the man in front, with a rudraksha mala around his neck, pours water from a brass vessel over the lingam, while a second priest behind pours from a raised pot over the image. Water streams down the base, and red flowers lie on the altar. Golden standing devotee statues flank the scene, one on the left and a female figure in a maroon sari on the right, with orange marigold garlands hanging at the top corners and a dark curtain behind.2024-09-16A shirtless male priest in a white dhoti with a gold border performs puja before a gilded golden shrine. He holds a small offering at the Nataraja bronze murti of Shiva dancing within a flame arch, surrounded by a carved gold filigree backdrop and dark green velvet. Smaller golden figures stand on either side, and a gold stepped altar in front holds scattered rose petals. A brass bell, a brass bowl and a small puja vessel sit on the table, and garlands of white jasmine and pink and orange flowers hang at the sides. Ash markings are visible on the priest's arms and forehead, and a rudraksha mala rests on his chest.2024-02-21Abhishekam at a temple shrine before a large golden Nataraja murti in dancing pose, set within a golden ring of flames and surrounded by small golden attendant figures. A priest in white dhoti with bare chest and a red shawl pours liquid from a golden vessel over a black shivalingam on a dark pedestal. Another priest in white dhoti, facing away, pours from a golden pot over a golden female deity murti in a maroon sari. A third figure at far left pours from a pot over a golden standing figure. Orange marigold garlands hang from above, a blue ritual vessel and flower offerings sit in the foreground, and dark draped curtains form the backdrop.2024-09-16