Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A night homa at a square fire pit with flames and burning wood at the centre of the frame. A figure with long swept-back hair, wearing saffron clothing, ornate gold-and-beaded necklaces and rudraksha malas, sits cross-legged on a raised ornate silver seat and reads from a small book; the figure's appearance has several cues, so this is a probable Swamiji. Around the fire, shaved-headed priests in orange shawls and women in orange and red saris with gold borders sit in rows and hold ritual items; a row of women in saffron-orange saris stands behind with hands folded, under multicoloured string lights. Offerings and brass vessels line the fire pit's edge. Several dozen people are visible in the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A night outdoor homa at a KAILASA ashram during a satsang. A central figure seated on a silver-backed wooden throne with gold legs wears saffron robes, a long rudraksha-style mala and gold necklaces, with long swept-back hair. Before a square fire pit with burning wood, seated disciples in orange and saffron robes with gold borders, many with shaved heads and malas, sit in rows and hold offerings; women in red-and-gold saris and malas sit nearby. A woman in an orange sari stands at the upper right, and string lights hang overhead. Brass vessels, a plate of offerings and sticks of wood lie around the fire pit.2013-03-10Night homa at an outdoor ritual space. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing saffron-orange robes, multiple rudraksha and gold-bead malas and a long gold necklace, sits cross-legged on a raised ornate gold-framed seat behind a square fire pit with rising smoke. Around the fire, seated devotees in saffron and orange robes with gold borders, many with shaved heads and malas, face the seat, with women in red and orange saris at the right. Brass vessels, a kalasha-style pot and offerings rest on the fire pit's edge; a standing fan and string lights appear in the background. Around 40 to 50 people are visible.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10Night-time photograph of a fire ritual (homa) in an open courtyard. A central sacred fire burns in a square brick fire pit with wooden sticks, surrounded by brass vessels and offerings. A seated figure with long dark hair wears orange-saffron robes and a rudraksha mala, seated on an ornate cushioned low seat or peetha with a silver-framed backrest, holding a small object in the hands. Around the fire, rows of shaven-headed men in saffron robes and beaded malas sit with hands in anjali, and women in orange saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces sit in rows, some with palms joined. A devotee in white shirt and a standing figure with folded hands appear in the background, and a standing fan is visible at left. Dark green-black night backdrop with a red building behind.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A man with long, swept-back dark hair, wearing an orange robe, a gold necklace and a rudraksha mala, sits on an ornate chair with a leopard-print cushion and holds an open book. In front of him a large square fire pit blazes, with metal bowls of yellow and red powders, leaves, and ritual implements arranged on the stone ledge. Around the fire sit about a dozen women in orange and red saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces, some holding offerings. Their presence suggests a fire ceremony led by a person in saffron, seated in a place of honour. Other devotees sit in the foreground.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night, with a large square fire pit blazing at centre. A woman in a dark orange sari with long dark hair and a rudraksha-style bead necklace kneels at the pit's left edge, holding a small white bowl over the flames while a small book rests on the ground beside her. Around her, shaven-headed men in saffron-orange cloth sit on the ground, some pouring offerings and handling brass vessels, and rows of women in orange and saffron saris with ornate gold necklaces sit with hands folded behind them. Colourful lights glow in the background, and leaves and grains are scattered on the white-edged altar. Three people in the foreground have partially visible faces at the edges.2013-03-10Night ceremony at a sacred fire pit lit with a large open flame. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing an orange-saffron garment, a gold-coloured garland and a rudraksha-style necklace, sits on a raised ornate silver-and-wood seat holding an open book. Around the fire, seated devotees in orange and saffron robes with gold-trimmed borders hold ritual items and sit in rows; bald men in orange shawls sit at the front left with offering plates nearby. Standing devotees behind wear saffron saris and necklaces, and coloured string lights glow in the background. Pooja offerings and brass vessels lie on a white cloth beside the homa pit, indicating a fire ritual.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10