Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time outdoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof with a red-painted pillar and a striped canopy at the right edge. Two garlanded murtis stand on decorated golden thrones, one with flowers in yellow, red and pink, the other draped in marigold garlands. In front, a square fire pit with white steps is set in the ground. On the right, several men in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls stand with brass vessels and rudraksha malas, flanked by a crowd of devotees in white, cream and green clothing with folded hands. The scene suggests a puja or homa at the fire pit.

More like this

Open the gallery
November 29 20112011-11-29Evening temple ritual under a corrugated metal roof, with three deity murtis draped in garlands of marigolds and red-pink flowers on decorated platforms, the middle one framed by a gold canopy. A man in an orange-saffron silk garment with gold ornaments and a bangle holds a lit oil lamp in one hand and a bell in the other, standing in front of the murtis; a second man in orange stands beside him holding a brass plate. Devotees in white and yellow clothes stand with palms pressed together in namaskar. A square stone pit with a dark interior sits at left. A probable Swamiji figure is visible in appearance cues: long swept-back hair, saffron silk, gold necklaces and a rudraksha mala, performing aarti while the murtis are worshipped.2011-11-29November 29 20112011-11-29Night ritual in an open-sided pavilion with a tin roof. A man in saffron-orange silk dhoti and shawl, with long swept-back dark hair, holds a lit camphor flame in a metal aarti lamp, performing aarti before garlanded deity murtis under golden canopies. Behind him, two saffron-robed men hold a brass plate with offerings and flowers, and a group of white-clad devotees stands with hands folded. Marigold and rose garlands hang on the murtis and a square white stone platform sits in front. The man with the flame has distinctive long hair and ornate saffron attire, so he is a probable candidate for a person, shown in the aarti role.2011-11-29 +1 copiesNovember 29 20112011-11-29A night-time temple scene at a shrine with a white stone arch framing a seated deity murti decorated with yellow and red marigold garlands and a gold-edged canopy. A woman in a leopard-print top and lime-green pants stands barefoot on a mat before the shrine, facing it. To the right, a saffron-robed monk with shaved head and rudraksha beads holds a brass plate of lamps, while a multicoloured umbrella and orange cloth panels frame the courtyard. Several white-clad priests and orange-robed attendants stand behind him. Brass lamps and offerings sit on the altar platform. Six people are visible in the scene.2010-12-20Night-time outdoor ritual on a raised stage under a corrugated roof. A bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a red border kneels at a fire pit, pouring offerings into a bright flame. Behind him, a deity murti stands in a golden arched shrine with a turquoise backdrop, draped in garlands and flower garlands. Small brass vessels, flower arrangements and scattered petals surround the fire. To the right, a seated figure in orange robes and an orange turban with a flower garland sits on a golden throne beneath an ornate umbrella. Several devotees in orange and saffron clothing stand with hands folded in prayer near the stage.2015-08-09Night outdoor ritual before a golden shrine (simhasana-style) holding a deity murti draped in red cloth and heavy marigold garlands. A lit fire pit with offerings sits in front, flanked by brass lamps and metal bowls of flowers and offerings. A bare-chested priest in orange dhoti stands at left holding a cloth, with a second attendant in white nearby. At right a man in maroon robes and a garland sits with palms pressed together beside an ornate gold seat under a multicoloured umbrella. A smaller decorated shrine with garlands is behind. Striped mats and baskets of flowers lie on the ground.2016-02-16Night-time outdoor temple ritual under a corrugated roof lit by a bright floodlight. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and an orange headcloth sits before a fire pit with a bright flame, tending a homa or yagna. Behind him stand golden and garlanded deity murtis, including a large decorated figure on a golden vahana-like mount and a figure with a garland and orange dress. At right, a seated man in orange-saffron robes with a bare upper body and long hair sits on an orange cushion, hands folded in front of him, facing the fire. Other priests in white and a bare-chested attendant at left assist with offerings and vessels; a brass plate and bowls rest on the platform.2015-01-03Night ritual outdoors under a corrugated roof at a homa or fire ritual. A fire burns in a yellow-tiled rectangular fire pit in the centre. A shaven-headed priest in an orange-red dhoti stands at left, tending the fire with his hands. To the right, a second person in an orange-red robe with a bare upper body sits with his back to the camera before an ornate golden throne-like seat decorated with a Ganesha-style deity murti, garlands of orange and white flowers and a green backdrop. To the left, a red-draped platform holds deity murtis garlanded in marigolds and beaded necklaces. Behind the fire pit stands a tiered decorated altar with flowers and kalasha-like offerings. A person in white clothing is partly visible at the far left edge.2014-11-25A 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.2015-01-09November 25 20142014-11-25