Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a temple-style ritual inside a hall with a dark curtain backdrop. A bare-chested man in a rust-red dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala and a gold bangle, raises a lit camphor flame in a metal holder toward large deity murti figures draped in garlands of yellow and red flowers and green and gold cloth. Behind him, several men in saffron-orange turbans and saffron robes stand holding a silver puja tray with bowls and a kalasha-style vessel. A figure in white and red garlands stands at the back with hands folded, and a gilded peetha-like chair is visible nearby. Smoke drifts in the left background, consistent with an aarti or puja.

More like this

Open the gallery
A ritual scene inside a hall with a dark red curtain and a patterned grey carpet. In the foreground a smiling man in a rust-brown dhoti and matching shawl wears a red and white garland, a gold pendant and a rudraksha mala, with a rust-brown turban on his head; he stands before the altar and gestures with his hands. Beside him a man in a rust-brown dhoti with gold border holds a small plate and stands barefoot. To the left, several men in saffron and orange robes with white and orange turbans stand with hands folded near a gold-trimmed throne draped with marigold garlands. On the right, large decorated murtis of a divine couple are adorned with yellow and red flower garlands and gold jewellery. A low table holds brass vessels, a kalasha, banana, fruit and a small fire pit with flames, indicating a puja or homa.2015-04-30A photograph of a Hindu ritual in progress before a richly decorated shrine. A shaved-headed priest in an orange-brown robe, with white tripundra marks on his forehead and arms, leans forward and reaches toward a brass vessel and offerings on a stone platform. Behind him, deity murtis are adorned with red roses, yellow marigold and orange garlands, and a kalasha-like pot topped with a coconut-style fruit sits in front. Several assistants in orange and white clothes sit nearby with silver bowls, puja items and a bundle of grass. The setting is a colourful temple-style hall with painted pillars and deity figures overhead. Visible people: the priest plus about three assistants.2013-05-17A photograph of a temple ritual with a deity murti draped in dense garlands of red, pink, yellow and white flowers and gold ornaments. On the left, a smiling person in a red-orange turban, red-orange garment with gold border, red and white flower garland and gold bangles holds a lit camphor flame in a metal lamp. Behind, a bald man in orange-saffron robes holds a silver plate, and a man in white attire stands further back. A brass oil lamp stands at the left edge and a red-orange sash-clad figure appears at the top right. Incense smoke rises beside the flame.2014-12-05January 13 20152015-01-13A man in a rust-brown silk dhoti and shawl, with a red-and-gold turban and a long red and white flower garland, raises his right arm and scatters white flower petals over a richly decorated set of deity murtis. Behind him, two attendants in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand near a gold-framed throne draped in red and gold fabric. The murtis wear yellow, green and red floral garlands and ornate jewellery, and the setting suggests a wedding ritual. The man appears to be a person with a turban, gold necklaces and bangles, but identity is uncertain.2015-04-30June 04 20152015-06-04A temple puja in progress before a richly decorated shrine with deity murtis draped in red, orange and yellow flower garlands. A shaven-headed priest in an orange-ochre robe sits at the front, extending his right arm and holding a ritual implement over offerings. Beside him, another person in an orange cloth sits with hands folded in prayer, and others in white dhotis sit on the floor. Brass bowls, a silver plate, and stacked yellow sweets sit on a low table. Behind them, golden figures and a painted gate-guardian figure with a club frame the altar.2013-05-17A photograph of a ritual inside a hall, with a gilded throne and ornate wooden canopy at the back holding two garlanded deity murti figures in colourful robes. In front, a man in a red dhoti and gold-bordered shawl, with a gold-coloured turban and garland, stands at a fire pit with a flame, holding a ladle over the fire. Beside him, a bare-chested priest in a gold-bordered shawl tends the fire. Two seated figures in saffron-orange cloth with turbans sit at the left and center foreground, with brass vessels, a kalasha, offerings and a tray of flowers and fruit in front of them. A cameraman with a tripod films the scene at the right. The setting suggests a homa or puja ritual with garlands and offerings.2015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30Night-time temple ritual photo. A woman in a red-maroon sari with gold borders, red and white flower garland, gold bangles and a red turban-style head covering holds a small lit flame in one hand. Beside her, a bare-chested priest in maroon and gold dhoti with a tall ornate gold-and-black headdress and rudraksha-style beaded necklace holds a woven basket tray of oil lamps and a ladle-like spoon, while another priest in maroon with a shaved head and gold armbands helps him. Behind them a priest in a white turban and white garment stands at a doorway. To the right, a deity murti or ornate idol is heavily decorated with multicolour flower garlands of red, pink, yellow and white, gold jewellery and a gold canopy. Petals and offerings lie on a red cloth on the floor, with brass vessels at lower left.2014-12-05Temple puja scene before a garlanded deity shrine draped in pink and purple silk. In the foreground a bald priest in orange robes with white forehead and arm markings sits at the left edge, looking toward the shrine. Beside him a young boy in orange robes with a rudraksha mala sits on a purple cloth ringing a handbell. A tall silver multi-tiered oil lamp with lit wicks stands at right, and a painted standing deity figure with gold ornaments and a kalasha-like object is visible at far right. Garlands of yellow, red and purple flowers frame the figures.2013-12-26December 23 20162016-12-23