December 07 2016 - Nithyanandapedia

Nithyanandapedia

December 07 2016

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Night-time homa at an open-air temple pavilion. In the foreground a large fire burns in a tiered yagna kunda decorated with marigold garlands and red kumkum. Behind it a priest in white dhoti with a saffron-and-gold shawl holds a vessel over the flames and offers oblations, while a second priest in cream dhoti with a gold border holds a bundle of kusha grass beside him. At right a man in a saffron dhoti with a red rudraksha mala and bare chest, hands folded in anjali, stands by a table of flowers and offerings. Behind them more white-clad priests tend additional fire pits under bamboo-supported roofing, with a deity shrine lit at the back. Coconuts, flowers and brass pots sit on the ground.

April 14 2018

A night puja at a temple shrine with a fire pit (homa kunda) in the foreground. A priest in a white dhoti with bare upper body and sacred ash marks stands before a flaming camphor or oil lamp (aarti), held over a decorated deity murti heavily garlanded with red, white and yellow flowers on an orange cloth. Two assistant priests in white dhotis, one holding a bell and a small vessel, stand at left; another wears a yellow shawl and a rudraksha-style necklace. Bananas and fruit sit on a tray at right. a person is not visibly present; no appearance-based candidate qualifies.

Night-time homa at an open ashram hall. A large fire burns in a rectangular yellow-painted fire pit in the foreground. Behind it, a figure in an orange-and-white garment stands before a decorated deity murti on a throne, the murti draped in marigold and multicoloured garlands and a saffron cloth. Four men stand to the left in white dhotis with gold borders, wearing rudraksha malas; the foremost wears an orange-red robe with gold border and a rudraksha mala, hands folded in prayer. A standing microphone is near the fire. A decorated side shrine with a garlanded deity on the right, and a ceiling hung with paper decorations.

A night-time homa ritual in a temple courtyard under a pink and white tent, with strings of coloured lights overhead. A tiered golden fire pit burns brightly in the foreground, with flowers and fruit offerings around it. A bare-chested priest with a red headcloth and rudraksha-style beads kneels at the fire, and another man in an orange cloth and a white dhoti tends the altar. Behind them, a decorated deity murti stands in an ornate golden arch, flanked by smaller statues. Seated devotees in white and saffron clothing watch from the right, and a man in a purple garment sits at the lower right with a basket of wood sticks. Several standing attendants in orange and white line the left side.

September 17 2015

Night-time homa at an outdoor temple courtyard. Several priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies stand around raised stone fire pits, one with a large flame. A priest in a yellow-and-white dhoti holds a ladle or offering over the central fire, while another with folded hands stands beside him. On the right, a golden deity murti or ornate image is decorated with red and yellow flower garlands, with fruits, coconuts and brass vessels arranged on a red-draped table. Marigold garlands line the fire platforms. Scaffolding and pillars frame the background, and a lit shrine is visible at left.

Night ritual inside an open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof, hung with fresh leaf garlands and a banner above. A fire burns in a square homa pit on a striped cloth-covered dais. Standing figures in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, plus a figure in an orange-gold cloth and a person in a yellow sari, attend the fire, one holding a lit lamp. Behind them are large decorated deity murtis with white floral arches and garlands. In the foreground a gold-trimmed red throne-like seat and a brass kalasha sit beside a small brass vessel. Camera operators stand at the right edge.

March 02 2018

Evening fire ritual (homa) in front of a shrine with gold-framed deity murti and red drapes, under a pink-and-white canopy. A yellow-tiled fire pit with a lit flame sits in the foreground, surrounded by floral garlands and brass vessels on striped mats. A man in a red and gold headcloth and bare chest, wearing a gold necklace, stands at left. Several men in white dhotis with coloured borders and yellow shawls stand or sit around the fire, one with a bare chest and rudraksha-style beads. A seated figure in red and gold behind the fire pit receives worship at the centre of the ceremony. A camera on a tripod records the ritual.

2017-09-26 +1 copies

A homa ritual in a tented hall before a golden throne with a seated deity murti garlanded in marigolds and red flowers. A blue-rimmed fire pit burns with flames in front, topped by a tiered kalasha-like structure draped in marigold garlands. Four men in white dhotis and orange-red shawls stand around; one at left pours an offering while the men on the right hold microphones and stand near the throne. A man at left wears a purple-banded wrap and rudraksha-style malas. Brass oil lamps, flower offerings and red brick fire platform surround the scene. No individual is clearly identified as a person by appearance.

July 17 2013