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Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor event on sand at a Nithyanandoham session. In the foreground a young man in a white dhoti with green and red border lies prostrate on the sand before a group of priests in white dhotis and bare-chested. A man in a red-orange robe with a flower garland stands near the center, with two women in white and green-bordered saris nearby. A shaved-headed man in glasses and orange shawl stands behind them. Behind is a large seated and standing crowd of devotees with hands in anjali, women in saris and white and orange clothing, under dim stage lighting. A red-cushioned chair and a small screen sit at the edge.

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December 24 20152015-12-24Night-time outdoor gathering on sand, lit by stage lights. In the centre, a man in an orange-saffron robe with a long mala of beads and a flower garland stands with palms pressed together, eyes closed, head bowed. Beside him, a bald man in orange cloth and beaded necklace stands watching. Two men in white dhotis with green and red-bordered cloths bend low on the sand in front of him, one reaching toward the ground. A wooden lectern or pulpit with carved top stands to the left, and a man in white with a smartphone is nearby. Behind, a large crowd of devotees sits and stands, many with hands folded in namaste, and a woman in a teal sari sits in the front row. Roughly 40 to 60 people are visible.2015-12-24December 24 20152015-12-24December 24 20152015-12-24Night-time outdoor gathering on sand, dark sky above. In the left foreground a man with long dark hair and a rudraksha mala wears a white dhoti-style cloth and holds a silver-tipped staff. Beside him a seated figure in orange-red cloth with a red-and-white sash and rudraksha beads receives people. Around them, many devotees in white dhotis, red and orange shawls and red headbands bend forward, touch hands and bow. A man in a purple shirt and a woman in a red sari stand nearby among onlookers. No seated person is clearly identifiable as a person from appearance alone, so the central figure is described by role only.2015-12-24Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach. A brick-lined fire pit with an open flame sits at lower left, beside round white platforms holding red flower petals, sweets, coconuts and small brick-shaped offerings. A brass oil lamp stands on a platter at right. A shirtless man in a white dhoti with a red border and a green shawl, wearing a blue-and-red turban, bends forward near the platforms. Behind him a large seated crowd of devotees, many women in saffron, red and colourful saris, watches with hands folded in prayer. A shirtless man in a red-bordered dhoti stands at the right edge. The scene appears to be a homa-style ritual with fire and offerings.2015-12-24Outdoor evening ritual on a sandy ground in front of a seated crowd. Two priests in white dhotis with red borders and green shawls bend over a round dark platform strewn with pink and red flower petals and small red bricks. The priest on the left holds a silver vessel and a flower, while the priest on the right pours or places offerings from a metal bowl. Silver oil lamps and fruit offerings sit in the foreground, and a green cloth lies at the left edge. Behind them, many devotees sit with hands folded in prayer, some in white and red clothing and garlands. No figure is clearly identifiable as a person.2015-12-24Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach at a Nithyanandoham event. Two shirtless men in white dhotis with green and red sashes stand at a round raised platter table laden with flower petals, banana-leaf offerings, small brass vessels and a lit oil lamp. A small brick fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground. Behind them a large seated crowd, many in red, orange and white clothing, sits with hands folded in prayer and watches. Purple stage lighting and darkness frame the scene.2015-12-24A photograph of an outdoor sand-floor ritual at night, lit with warm purple-pink light. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red border and a green shawl bends over a fire-offering arrangement of stacked wood, pink and purple flower garlands, small brass bowls and kalasha-style pots, offering flowers into it. Beside him a younger man stands bare-chested with a white sacred thread and beaded mala, looking down. A third man at left wears a green shawl over white dhoti. Behind them a large seated audience of women and some men sits on the sand, many with red and orange malas, some in saffron and blue saris, listening attentively. Banners of orange and green flowers decorate the scene.2015-12-24December 24 20152015-12-24A night-time outdoor ritual on a sandy beach. A bald priest in an orange-red dhoti and shawl stands with his back to the camera before a blazing fire pit with offerings, while another priest in a red and orange garment pours or tends the flames. On the right, a robed attendant in white and a man in a checked lungi raise their arms toward bronze deity murti on a red cloth. A seated person in an orange-red robe with a gold necklace sits on a wooden chair with a cushioned seat at left, facing the fire. A large crowd sits on the sand in red, orange and white clothing, watching the ceremony under a dark sky.2015-12-25December 25 20152015-12-25