Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time ritual in an open courtyard before a decorated deity murti shrine hung with marigold garlands and colourful bunting. Bare-chested men in white dhotis sit in rows on a red carpet, while a priest in white stands near a golden ornament at left and a man in a red-and-gold turban sits on an ornate golden seat at right, with a yellow ceremonial umbrella beside him. Two men in white dhotis kneel close to the shrine among oil lamps and offerings. Women in saris and older Western devotees in light clothing sit to the right of the carpet. A camera on a tripod records the scene. Dozens of people are visible.

More like this

Open the gallery
Large outdoor ritual gathering at dusk where a crowd of bare-chested devotees, many wearing rudraksha malas and white dhotis, sits facing a raised stage. On the stage, a seated figure in white and a saffron-clad person sit before a decorated deity murti framed by garlands and a golden canopy. Priests in white stand nearby, and an ornate chariot-like structure with a golden umbrella stands to the side. A camera crane is visible at upper left.2016-12-07A night ritual before a decorated shrine with a deity murti framed by garlands and a canopy. In the centre, a bearded man in a saffron-and-maroon robe with rudraksha beads sits on a gold-and-orange seat behind a flaming homa fire pit, with offerings and floral trays arranged around it. A woman in an orange sari sits to the right beside brass lamps and flower arrangements, while a man in white stands at the left near a gilded palanquin-style seat. Rows of shirtless men seated on the floor, wearing white dhotis and red neck cloths, face the altar, with a camera operator at left. Oil lamps and kalasha-style brass vessels line the platform. The setting is a temple courtyard with dark foliage behind.2016-12-12December 02 20162016-12-02Night outdoor ritual before a decorated shrine with a large deity murti garlanded in red and orange flowers, and a fire pit burning in front of it. Priests in white dhotis perform the homa while a bare-chested priest in ochre cloth tends the offering. On the right, a man with a red-orange turban and saffron-red shawl sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne beneath a yellow and multicolour canopy; a cameraman and a white-clad attendant stand nearby. A large crowd of devotees sits on the red-carpeted ground, some in white and pink saris, and a brass oil lamp stands at the front. Swamiji (probable) is seated on the throne wearing the turban and shawl.2016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07December 05 20162016-12-05A wide night photo of a large outdoor ritual hall with a dense crowd of devotees seated on the ground in the foreground, mostly women in white, pastel and bright saris and salwar. On a raised platform in the centre, a bearded man with long dark hair wearing a rudraksha mala and a ceremonial garland sits on a red-cushioned seat before a wooden puja table with flowers and lamps. Behind him stands a large deity murti decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands, a kalasha-style peetha backdrop, and banana plants at each side. Several priests in white dhotis and a man in a pink turban assist at left, one holding a vessel. Overhead are colourful string lights and draped fabric. A camera rig is visible at the upper left.2016-12-02Night ceremony at an outdoor temple-style stage with a fire lit before a decorated deity murti garlanded in red and yellow flowers. Several bare-chested priests in white dhotis and saffron-bordered cloths perform the ritual, one pouring or offering near the flames while another stands with folded hands. A large crowd of seated devotees in beige and cream clothing faces the stage from the foreground. On a raised platform at right, a figure seated on an ornate red-and-gold throne wears an orange-red turban and a red-and-orange shawl; the appearance is not clear enough to confirm identity, so he is described only by role as a seated presider beside the stage. Garlands, brass lamps and a tall golden umbrella frame the scene.2016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07Night ritual in an open-sided pavilion with a tin roof and draped yellow cloth. At centre, a fire pit with offerings sits on a red-carpeted dais in front of a decorated shrine with a deity murti garlanded in flowers. Two priests in white dhoti sit at left, one bare-chested with a sacred thread and tilaka, the other in white, both performing a homa or puja over the fire pit. A seated figure on a gold-framed throne with a deep red cushion, wearing a red-orange shawl, a rudraksha mala and a headdress, sits at right under a large multicoloured umbrella. Devotees sit on the floor at the edges. Hanging lamps and flower garlands decorate the space.2016-12-07