Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time ritual in an open-sided pavilion. A person seated on a red upholstered throne with gold-coloured arms wears a blue turban and blue cloth draped over the shoulder, with long dark hair, facing a deity murti display decorated with white floral arches and an umbrella canopy. Several shaven-headed men in white dhoti and shawl sit cross-legged on a mat before the display, some holding brass plates and offerings; one wears gold chains. A figure in orange robes stands at the right edge. Electric string lights, hanging orange and red banners and a water bottle complete the scene.

More like this

Open the gallery
October 15 20102010-10-15A night-time photograph of a temple-style ritual in an open pavilion. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a brass lamp or aarti tray toward a shrine of deity murtis decorated with flowers, garlands and silver-edged backdrops, lit by strings of red lights. Several men in white dhotis sit cross-legged on mats in front, some with hands folded in prayer and one holding a plate of offerings. At the right, a person with long dark hair wrapped in a turquoise shawl sits in a red upholstered armchair with gold trim, facing the shrine.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a temple puja inside a decorated pandal with fairy lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha-style beads holds a tray of offerings near a large goddess murti with multiple arms, a bright blue body, and a white ornate halo and canopy. Beside it are smaller murtis and a decorated frame. Three seated men in white dhotis sit on a mat in the foreground, one holding a brass plate with flowers. A woman in a blue sari sits at right on a red cushioned chair. Oil lamps and a flower garland are visible at the altar. Two people are partly visible at the far back.2010-10-15Night photograph of an outdoor pandal with a large decorated deity murti and a red-and-gold ceremonial chair in the foreground. A standing priest in a white dhoti and shawl holds a brass plate near an offering; several seated men in white dhotis, some with bare shoulders and gold necklaces, sit on mats in attentive prayer, one with hands folded. A woman in a light blue sari sits in the chair at right. Ceremonial lamps, string lights, paper lanterns and a white umbrella canopy frame the image. Offerings and a water bottle are on the floor.2010-10-15Night puja before a large decorated goddess murti with a silver-white arched backdrop and an umbrella canopy overhead. A standing priest in an off-white dhoti and a garland holds a tray of oil lamp flames near the image. Several seated men in white dhotis and garlands sit cross-legged on a mat in front of the murti, some holding brass plates of offerings. On the right, a woman in a turquoise blue sari sits on a red upholstered chair. String lights and bright lamps glow around the setting. The image shows an evening puja and aarti ritual.2010-10-15Night-time outdoor puja before a decorated deity murti of Durga-like form with multiple arms, seated on a lion beside other murtis, under a white fringed canopy with strings of lights behind. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold necklaces waves a flame lamp. Seated devotees in white dhotis, several with gold chains, sit on mats around a square homa pit with a bowl of flowers, fruit, plates and a brass lamp in front. Garlands, bananas and a row of brass oil lamps surround the murtis. Hanging decorative poles and banners frame the scene.2010-10-15A night-time Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor pavilion. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at center-left holding a flaming lamp aloft, while several shaved-headed men in white dhotis and gold necklaces sit cross-legged on a mat before a square fire pit with smoke rising. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti of a goddess rides a lion, with multiple arms and white floral frames, surrounded by smaller figures, lit lamps, kalasha-style brass vessels, plates of offerings and fruit. Strings of coloured lights and bunting hang overhead under a canopy. Around the sitting men are trays of food and offerings, and a red cushioned seat with orange cloth is at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time puja at an outdoor temple stage before a large deity murti of the goddess, with a white umbrella canopy and white floral decoration. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left raising a lit lamp toward the deities, with fairy lights and bunting above. Several seated devotees in white clothes sit on a mat in the foreground, one wearing a yellow-trimmed dhoti. A figure in orange robes kneels at the right beside offerings, and a person in a blue shawl sits on a red velvet chair at far right. Smaller deity figures, including an elephant-headed form, are arranged around the central image, with kalasha-style decorations and brightly coloured canopies.2010-10-15A dim temple hall with a homa-style ritual in progress. In the foreground, several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and cloths sit on mats facing an altar; one kneels with a metal bowl near a fire pit. Behind them, large decorated deity murtis stand in an ornate arch of white lace-like frames, with smoke rising and string lights glowing on the walls. On the right, a figure in a bright blue turban, blue garments and gold-threaded accents sits on a red velvet throne with gold trim, hands folded, with a water bottle nearby. Several other people sit in the background. Appearance-based candidate present on the throne, identity uncertain.2010-10-15A photo inside a temple at night showing a large white and silver decorated deity murti of Goddess Durga with multiple arms, holding weapons, beside smaller murtis including an elephant-headed deity. Oil lamps stand on the floor and a white canopy with fringe hangs above. A man in a blue turban and blue shawl, bare-chested, stands at right beside a red and gold throne-like seat with a yellow cushion. Several men in white dhotis and shawls with ash and red marks sit at lower left performing ritual activity near the lamps. Fairy lights glow in the background.2010-10-15