Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor ritual at a temple-like setting: a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and sacred marks sits at left singing into a microphone beside a brass stand. Behind a fire pit with flames and metal offerings, two gold-decorated deity murti in garlands are displayed on a gilded platform, one in orange cloth and jewelled necklaces, the other in maroon with a gold crown. A crowd of men in white shirts and dhotis, one woman in a red sari, and an older man in grey stand behind a white barrier. A large portrait backdrop hangs above. Orange and white bunting frames the scene.

More like this

Open the gallery
January 08 20122012-01-08September 29 20122012-09-29Night-time homa at an outdoor stage. A saffron-robed priest with a shaved head and red sash sits at a microphone, raising his hand over a yellow fire pit with a bright flame. Two decorated murti figures stand behind the fire, one wearing a red-and-orange crown with garlands of red and yellow flowers and gold ornaments, the other similarly adorned. Banana leaves and pink flowers lie in front, a gold-trimmed platform holds the figures, and a black speaker stands to the right. A second saffron-clad figure stands at the back and devotees in white and cream clothes stand near the stage.2012-09-29Night outdoor ritual under a white and orange canopy. A shaved-headed priest in saffron-orange robes with gold borders pours from a golden vessel over two deity murtis draped in yellow and orange garlands, set on a golden platform. Two seated priests in white dhotis with gold necklaces sit at left and right; the left one holds a microphone and the right one has hands folded in prayer. A brass abhishekam setup, small kalashas and a brass lamp sit on a wooden yagna-style base. Several onlookers stand behind a railing in the dim background, mostly in white and light shirts.2012-01-08Evening outdoor ritual under a white and orange canopy. A shaved-headed priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and shawl, with a yellow-and-orange sash and beaded necklace, stands at right holding a silver ritual vessel and pouring over a brick-lined fire pit. Two deity murtis stand on a gold-painted base at left, each draped in garlands of yellow and maroon flowers and wearing silver-toned ornaments; one wears an orange shawl. A brick fire pit with offerings sits in front, consistent with a homa or puja. Several white-clad devotees stand behind a barrier, and a woman in a white sari with a patterned border watches. Banner text in Tamil is visible at left.2012-01-08A night-time ritual photograph of a priest in orange and yellow silk dhoti and shawl standing at a golden pedestal, offering a lit lamp over a fire pit with flames and smoke rising. Two silver-clad deity murti stand on the golden platform, garlanded with white and yellow flowers, one with an orange cloth. Brass pots, bowls, a kalasha, banana leaves and offerings lie on the mat in front. Behind, devotees in white and orange stand along a white barrier, with a backdrop displaying a decorative banner. A puja or abhishekam scene.2012-01-08September 29 20122012-09-29Outdoor night ritual under a white tent with orange-trimmed valance. Two deity murtis, each garlanded with multicoloured flowers and adorned with necklaces, sit on a gold-trimmed platform with kalasha and flower offerings. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with green-gold border stands with back to camera, holding a bell and facing the murtis. Several men in white clothes stand with palms joined in namaskar, and two women in white and sari stand nearby. A backdrop banner shows Tamil text. The scene resembles a puja or aarti.2012-04-06January 08 20122012-01-08A night-time homa at an outdoor stage with a large fire rising from a brick-and-gold fire altar draped in green leaves. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with gold necklace and bangles sits at left beside a microphone and a small golden stand. At right, a young man in saffron-orange cloth and rudraksha-style beads pours from a brass vessel toward the flames. Behind the altar stand two decorated deity murti figures with garlands, and offerings of fruit and banana leaves lie in the foreground. A painted temple facade with golden arches and a crowd of seated devotees forms the backdrop.2011-12-20September 29 20122012-09-29January 08 20122012-01-08