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Nithyanandapedia
April 13 2018

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April 13 20182018-04-13 +1 copiesApril 13 20182018-04-13 +1 copiesA ceremonial homa in a covered pavilion decorated with marigold garlands, banana leaves and tall striped pillars. Priests in saffron and orange dhotis and shawls, some with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces, sit on a red striped mat around a raised fire altar with brick-like stacks and brass oil lamps. Many rows of metal plates heaped with grains, pulses and rice line the foreground as offerings. Behind the altar a floral-decorated sacred arrangement with garlands is set up, and additional devotees in white sit at the back.2018-04-14Annadhan in 20152015-01-01 +2 copiesA ceremonial puja in a pillared hall with a red-draped floor. Several men seated in a row wear white dhotis, bare upper bodies or light shawls, rudraksha malas, and sandalwood or ash markings; a man in the foreground in a red-and-gold shawl speaks into a microphone. In front of them are brass pots, plantains, mangoes, betel leaves, coconuts and other offerings on banana leaves. Behind them, a decorated ornate canopy and yellow-and-red kalasha-style pillars wrapped in marigold garlands hang from the ceiling. A small deity murti sits on a decorated altar, and umbrellas stand in the background. Visible people: about 15, all men.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual puja in a hall with pink walls and red curtains. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a striped shawl bends over a tray of offerings, while an assistant in orange garments stands beside him. Before them sits a seated figure in a golden-brown shawl and straw hat, with a flower garland, on a golden padapuja-style stool. Behind the central offering table, a row of priests in white dhotis and rudraksha malas sit on a red carpet with microphones, and a figure in saffron and ornate gold necklaces sits on an elaborately garlanded throne with red and gold cushions. Brass lamps stand on either side, with kalasha pots, bananas, fruit, flowers and brass bowls of offerings and turmeric on a banana-leaf setting. Garlands of red and yellow flowers frame the scene.2013-07-18June 09 20092009-06-09A homa ritual in a decorated hall with gold-fringed yellow drapes and gold ceremonial umbrellas. Six men sit on the tiled floor around a low homa setup with a small fire, flower garlands, brass bowls of fruit and offerings, and a lamp stand. Several wear bare upper bodies, white dhotis and orange or red silk shawls, with rudraksha malas and garlands. A central figure in white robes and a shaved head sits at the far left with a wrap and mala, and others stand near the back. Behind them, a raised red platform holds deity murtis garlanded with yellow and white flowers, and a tall blue-and-white pedestal displays a flower-decorated kalasha. Brass and gold lamp stands line the room.2015-07-17A large hall with a golden-canopied seat at the far end, where a figure in saffron-orange robes sits before a low table with brass vessels and a kalasha. Around the central aisle, rows of seated participants face the seat: men in orange and red shawls and women in saffron and orange saris, some with garlands. Long striped runner cloths lead toward the seat, and banana-leaf plates with small oil lamps line both sides in front of the rows. Some men in white robes with red shawls stand near the seat and side aisles, and a golden tree-like decoration stands at the left beside display panels.2015-06-15May 10 20172017-05-10Evening ritual in an open-sided pavilion with a red-draped floor and banana-leaf decorations. A bearded man with long hair, wearing a rudraksha mala and a white ceremonial garland, sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne at centre, with a Swamiji (probable) appearance-based candidate noted from the long hair, rudraksha mala and ceremonial garland. Nearby, priests in white dhotis perform puja at a tiered offering table with brass vessels, yellow marigold garlands and fruit. A shirtless young man in a yellow cloth sits cross-legged facing a brass vessel while others sit and stand around the ritual area. Women in saris stand at the left by a decorated deity altar with orange and yellow flower garlands and strings of lights. A smoky haze rises and a projection screen shows at right.2016-12-02