Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor ritual on a raised red-carpeted platform in front of a large crowd. Three men in saffron-orange robes perform an aarti: the central figure holds a lit lamp aloft and a bell, while the figures on either side wave large white whisk fans. Behind them, a standing cameraman films from a tripod, and rows of seated devotees in white dress watch from folding chairs. Palm trees, string lights and a building stand in the background under a dark sky.

More like this

Open the gallery
November 27 20122012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a Karthikai Deepam celebration. Three saffron-robed priests with shaved heads stand behind a long table, each raising a lit flame in a metal lamp or torch overhead; the flames and smoke rise against a dark sky. Rudraksha malas hang around their necks. Behind them a large crowd of mostly men and some women in white dhotis and white clothes stand with palms pressed together in prayer. Palm trees, string lights, a camera on a tripod and a small white tent-like structure fill the background.2012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27Night photograph of a Karthikai Deepam aarti at an outdoor ground. Three priests in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand at a row of low metal barriers, each holding a lit oil lamp or aarti flame in front of them. Devotees in white dhotis and shirts stand and fold hands in namaste behind the priests, and a cameraman with a tripod-mounted camera films from the centre. Palm trees, lamps and a low building are visible in the background under a dark sky. The centre priest is shaved-headed and wears a tilak; the priests' identities cannot be determined from appearance, so they are described by role only.2012-11-27A photograph of an outdoor ceremony under a white draped tent with a red carpet. Four men in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand in a row at the right, each holding a fan-like ritual implement and a bell, performing aarti-style offerings. Seated in the foreground are devotees in white clothes with yellow shawls, behind low tables with brass oil lamps (lamps) and feathered fans, while many people in white and orange sit on the red floor. A flower garland decorates a blue-draped stage at left. A cameraman with a tripod films at the far right. a person candidate not clearly identifiable by appearance, so roles are given.2009-07-07April 17 20112011-04-17A photograph of a ritual ceremony under a white draped tent with a purple-grey canopy at an outdoor event. Several men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas stand at a row of low tables, holding long white feather fans (chamaras) and waving them over the ritual setup. Behind them, seated devotees in white with yellow shawls kneel on red carpet beside rows of brass oil lamps, bells and ritual vessels. On the left, a flower-decorated altar with marigold garlands. Audience members sit in the foreground and a cameraman films from the right. The man at far right in saffron with a long white feather fan appears to be leading the ceremony; no identification is made from appearance.2009-07-07October 19 20082008-10-19Night outdoor ceremony at Tiruvannamalai Adheenam with a large seated crowd filling the foreground. Several shaven-headed priests in white dhotis, some bare-chested with sacred ash marks, stand on a raised platform holding flaming oil lamps and aarti plates, a row of small lamps glowing along the back. Devotees in white and colourful saris sit with hands folded in namaskar. A street lamp glows at left and a white rope runs across the scene. Ritual aarti being performed at dusk.2011-04-17