Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a dim hall in which many saffron-clad devotees sit on the floor during a ritual. In the foreground, a bare-chested man with a shaved head and red tilak on his forehead holds a lit oil lamp in one hand and a small flame-tipped item in the other, wearing rudraksha malas and a red-orange shawl. Beside him, a bare-chested man with an orange headwrap and beard tends a small wooden tray with lamps and offerings, and a boy in orange cloth sits near incense smoke. Center, a young man with swept-back dark hair wears an orange cloth, rudraksha malas and a pendant, raising an incense stick as he sits behind a tray of lamps, flowers and offerings. Many other people in orange and white sit behind them in the blurred background.

More like this

Open the gallery
January 15 20172017-01-15A large hall filled with devotees dressed in saffron and orange robes, seated on mats and performing a ritual with small oil lamps and offering plates. In the foreground, a bald man with a rudraksha mala and a red-and-saffron cloth draped over his shoulders holds a lit lamp, while a younger man in orange with a red tilak and rudraksha beads sits beside him, also holding a flame. A boy at left with long dark hair and a pendant holds a small lamp, and smoke or incense drifts through the warm, dim room. Many other participants sit behind them, some with shaved heads and white beards. The scene looks like a group puja with lamps and aarti.2017-01-15A photograph of a dimly lit ritual hall where a shaved-headed man in the foreground wears a red rudraksha mala, a pendant necklace, an armlet and orange-red robes, holding a small lamp and a bell-like object with his mouth open mid-chant. Beside him a young man in an orange shawl and beaded necklace raises a lit taper, and several other figures in orange garments sit on mats before trays of oil lamps, flowers and offerings. Small flames and smoke rise in the warm, candlelit background crowded with seated devotees.2017-01-15January 15 20172017-01-15A seated group of devotees in saffron and orange robes performs a ritual in a large hall with warm lamplight and drifting smoke. A young man in the centre wears an orange shawl, rudraksha mala and red tilak while holding an incense stick over a brass tray. A shaved-headed priest at right wears an orange shawl, rudraksha mala and gold pendant, and holds a lamp. Other participants on the left and behind hold small oil lamps, and a child in orange sits nearby. Offerings sit on plates on the floor.2017-01-15A photograph of a seated group in orange and saffron robes during a ritual gathering, with a dim hall and warm lamplight behind them. In the foreground a bald man with a red tilak on his forehead wears a long rudraksha mala, a pendant and red-orange wrap, and holds a small lamp or incense in his raised right hand. Beside him a young man with a red bindi and an orange shawl sits with eyes closed. At left a young girl in orange holds smoking incense, and on the right a young man has a red tilak mark. Many more people in orange sit in rows behind, and offerings with small flames rest on a tray in front. No identity is confirmed from appearance.2017-01-15A photo of a seated group of devotees in orange and saffron dhotis performing a puja in a hall with posters on the wall behind. In the foreground a young man with a long orange sash and rudraksha mala holds a small oil lamp, beside a younger girl in orange lighting a lamp, and a bald man in a rust-brown wrap also holds a lamp. Brass plates with fruit and offerings, a small brass Nataraja figure, and small oil lamps sit on a low tray and mat in front. Many other participants with white tripundra markings on their foreheads and bodies sit behind, lit by candles. The scene suggests an aarti or puja with oil lamps and offerings.2017-01-29September 21 20132013-09-21A photograph of a seated group ritual in a dimly lit hall with many devotees behind. In the foreground a shaved-headed man with a red tilak on his forehead wears orange-red cloth over his shoulders, a dark rudraksha mala and a pendant, and holds a small lit oil lamp and a brass bell-like object while speaking. Beside him a young man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala raises one arm holding a lit lamp. Other devotees in orange and red garments sit on mats, and small oil lamps and offerings in brass trays are arranged on a low orange-cloth-covered table at left. Warm lamplight and smoke fill the air.2017-01-15A photograph of a shaved-headed priest seated cross-legged on a striped mat, bare-chested, wearing a rust-brown dhoti with a gold border, a long rudraksha mala with a pendant, and a dark beaded mala around the upper arms. He holds a small brass bell and raises one hand with an oil lamp flame toward a seated group of devotees in orange and saffron robes, many bare-chested with rudraksha malas. Brass plates, a bowl of offerings and an oil lamp sit before him, with an orange bag on the left. Behind them the room is softly blurred with more seated participants. Several people are in view, and the scene appears to be a puja or ritual gathering.2017-01-22A photograph of a ritual scene with several saffron-clad sannyasis seated on red mats in front of a seated audience. Three men in front hold lit oil lamps in their raised hands; the centre man wears a light orange-pink cloth, rudraksha mala and a pendant, and has white sacred ash markings on his forehead and arms. The man on the left wears a deep orange-red cloth and a long rudraksha mala. The man on the right wears orange robes and holds a small lamp with a bell in the other hand. Behind them, devotees in white clothes sit with palms pressed together, and a man in a red shawl sits among them. Brass bells and small lamps are visible on the floor.2013-10-06August 19 20142014-08-19