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Nithyanandapedia
A night ritual photograph at a temple-style pandal before a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount, flanked by smaller figures and ornate white decorated arches with umbrellas. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace sits cross-legged on a mat at a square fire pit, holding a ladle near offerings of bowls, yellow flowers and fruit. Brass oil lamps stand on the platform and a lit flame burns in the foreground beside a plate of flowers. A printed sign reads Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam with a phone number. Appearance does not clearly establish the seated man as a person, so the role is given as priest performing a homa-style fire ritual.

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October 11 20102010-10-11October 13 20102010-10-13 +1 copiesA seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested with a gold chain, performs a fire ritual at a square homa pit in front of a large white-and-blue decorated deity murti of a multi-armed goddess standing on a lion, flanked by smaller figures and ornate white paper-cut backdrops. Brass oil lamps, lit diyas, bowls of yellow and red powders, flower garlands, and a small kalasha-like offering sit on red cloths. Striped and coloured torans and parasol-style canopies frame the scene at night.2010-10-13A priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold chain sits cross-legged on a mat before a square white marble homa fire pit, holding a ladle or spoon over it. Behind the pit stands a large deity murti of Durga, with multiple arms holding weapons, riding a lion, framed by white lace-like arches and flanked by smaller murtis of Ganesha and other deities. Brass lamps, a kalasha, bowls and a tray of offerings sit on red cloth. Strings of small lights and red-and-gold hangings decorate the hall, and smoke rises through the scene. Another white-clad priest sits at right, and a few more devotees are partly visible in the background.2010-10-12A night-time photograph of a ritual at a temple-style stage. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and an upper cloth with a red border kneels at the front, reaching toward a square homa or yagna pit. Behind him stands a large white-and-silver decorated murti of a multi-armed goddess, seated on a lion, flanked by smaller white-decorated deity figures, a pink elephant-headed Ganesha figure on the left, and colourful umbrella canopies. Brass oil lamps and a silver-rimmed plate of offerings sit on the red-draped platform, and a floral garland rests on a small seated figure at the centre. Rows of festooned poles and a banner with Kannada text frame the background. The priest appears to be the only physical person visible.2010-10-13Evening homa at night in a temple hall lit with string lights. A priest in a shaved head, white dhoti and gold necklace sits at left holding a tray of burning camphor or offerings. A large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess stands on a lion, surrounded by ornate white floral frames, with smaller murtis of Ganesha and other deities. Oil lamps stand on the floor and a square fire pit with offerings sits in front. Several white-clad men stand and sit in the background, and a banner with printed text hangs on the wall at right.2010-10-12Night ritual in an open hall with a fire pit and offerings. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth sits at left beside a small flame and brass vessels, performing a homa. Behind a white marble platform with a dark central pit stands a large decorated deity murti with a golden crown and ornate white arch, flanked by additional painted figures and a lion beneath. Brass oil lamps stand on the platform. Fruit, coconuts and plates of offerings are arranged in the foreground. At right, a person in red-and-gold dress sits on an ornate red and gold throne-like chair beside another seated priest in white. Hanging striped cloth panels decorate the walls.2010-10-11 +1 copiesA night-time puja at a decorated shrine with large deity murtis draped in white lace-like cloth and garlands; a central goddess murti with multiple arms holds weapons. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl sits cross-legged on a mat before a square white yagna platform holding a fire, with brass bowls of offerings, a kalasha-like vessel, fruit and flower petals. Another priest in white sits at right beside a microphone and a gold-and-red throne-like chair. Oil lamps stand around the shrine. The priest in front is not identifiable as a person from the visible cues; a role description applies.2010-10-11A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border sits on a striped cushion, pouring ghee from a ladle into a fire pit lined with stone. Brass oil lamps and a lit clay lamp surround the homa area, with a bronze bowl and trays of offerings nearby. Behind him, a large deity murti with a lion mount and multi-armed figures stands in front of white floral decorations, with garlanded female figures and a pink Ganesha at the sides. Marigold garlands and kumkum-colored offerings are visible on the floor. The priest's face is turned down toward the homa and is not clearly visible.2010-10-13October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time puja before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with multiple arms and a crown, set in an ornate white floral arch under a fringed canopy. Smaller murtis of Ganesha and other deities flank her, with brass oil lamps lit on either side. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala, sits at a white abhishekam platform with brass vessels and offerings of bananas, mangoes and coconuts. A second priest in white kneels in the background. On the right, a person in a red and gold sari sits in a gilded red throne-like chair. Multiple people are present but only a few are clearly visible.2010-10-11A night-time photograph of a Chandi homa at a temple-style pavilion. Men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies kneel at a white marble homa platform with a fire pit, tending the fire and offerings. Brass vessels, a bell, a lamp, plantains and fruit sit on the floor, and smoke rises. Behind them stands a large goddess murti with a red-and-white garland, a lion mount, and a decorated arch, flanked by a pink Ganesha figure and other deity figures. Women in red and orange saris sit on the left and right, and a man in white robes stands at the right reading from a book. Colourful hanging tassels and string lights frame the scene.2010-10-16