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Nithyanandapedia
A courtyard homa ritual at the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashram. A seated man in orange-red robes, with long dark hair, a yellow-and-white tilak and a red-and-yellow sash, sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne behind a yellow-brick fire pit (homa kunda) with a flame. A second priest in orange robes, bare-chested with white markings, a red turban and a rudraksha mala, stands at right lighting a lamp at a stone-and-wood doorway. Brass vessels, a kalasha-like pot, a pot of fruit, flower garlands and a striped rug surround the scene. A metal detector gate stands in the background.

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Courtyard homa ritual in a stone-walled ashram space. A bearded man with long swept-back hair, a tilak on his forehead and an orange-red cloth wrap sits cross-legged on an ornate gold-and-red throne, hands folded. Nearby a second man in orange-red cloth, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala and white markings on his arms, bends over a brass tray of banana leaves, flowers and fruit. A yellow brick fire pit with a flame burns in the foreground beside a silver vessel, and brass lamps burn near carved wooden doors. A colourful striped mat covers the floor. The throne seat is the only ceremonial cue beyond ordinary ritual dress, so identity is uncertain.2018-05-29 +1 copiesMay 29 20182018-05-29A courtyard ritual with a seated man on a gilded red-cushioned throne wearing orange-red robes, long dark hair, a forehead tilak and a rudraksha mala, seated on a red flower-strewn cloth. In front of him a standing priest in orange-red cloth with a red headwrap, a rudraksha mala and a gold-looking chain lights an oil lamp near a yellow-brick fire pit with a burning fire. Nearby stand a silver kalasha-style vessel wrapped in striped cloth, brass plates of fruit and offerings, and a wooden carved double door with brass studs behind them, on a colourful striped floor mat. The setting looks like a homa or puja with a fire pit, lamps and offerings.2018-05-29 +1 copiesPhotograph of a courtyard ritual. A seated man with long dark hair, forehead tilak and a saffron-orange wrap sits cross-legged on a gilded throne with red cushions, on a red fringed rug. Beside him, a standing priest in an orange-red turban and matching robes, with rudraksha beads and a gold armband, holds a lit oil lamp and a small metal vessel. Before the seated figure, a yellow-bordered square fire pit with flames and metal bowls, and bundles of offerings wrapped in white and striped cloth with flowers stand at right. Carved wooden screens and a brick wall form the backdrop, with a metal detector frame near the doorway. Pictured as a homa-style fire ritual with offerings.2018-05-29Evening ritual inside a brick-walled pavilion. In the centre, a fire pit (homa kunda) burns with flames, surrounded by yellow and white flower garlands and fruit offerings. A seated bare-chested priest wearing a yellow head wrap, gold necklaces and a white dhoti holds a small ritual vessel and pours or gestures over the fire. Behind him, a large gold-and-red ornate throne (peetha) stands on a striped rug. To the left, a standing man in a long rust-red robe with a long dark braid and white forehead markings presses his palms together in prayer. Other attendants in white garments sit around the fire, and a lamp stands near the left edge.2017-04-06April 06 20172017-04-06May 29 20182018-05-29 +1 copiesA photograph inside a brick-walled room with a wooden carved screen and a gold-and-red throne. A seated figure with long hair, a tilak and an orange-red wrap sits cross-legged on a red fur mat on the golden throne. A standing priest in orange-red dhoti and turban, bare-chested with rudraksha beads and gold armlets, holds a lit oil lamp on a brass plate toward the seated figure. Brass pots and flowers sit in the foreground beside a small yellow-rimmed flame, and a white metal-detector gate stands in the background. Swamiji (probable) appears as the seated figure, given his long hair, saffron-orange wrap and ceremonial seating on the throne, while the standing man is a priest performing aarti.2018-05-29 +1 copiesNight-time ritual at an open-sided stone-walled hall. A man in a rust-orange robe with a gold necklace and a rudraksha-style mala sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne chair, making a hand gesture, with a carved wooden screen behind him. In front, a seated priest with a red turban, white body markings and a beaded mala tends a small fire pit with lit flames and brass vessels, while a bright yellow-and-white offering arrangement of lemons and ornaments sits beside it. Standing attendants in orange robes with white markings stand at the left edge. Two standing fans and a white wall unit are visible. The scene suggests a homa or fire ritual before a seated teacher.2018-04-26May 29 20182018-05-29Photograph of a ritual in a brick-walled courtyard. A seated figure in saffron-orange robes with a tilak and long hair sits on a gold-and-red throne with a red flower-petal carpet at his feet. A standing priest in orange dhoti and orange head-wrap holds a lit oil lamp and a small vessel near him, with rudraksha-style beads at his neck. Before them a yellow brick fire pit burns with a flame, bordered by bundled sheaves and fruits, a silver bowl, flowers and a brass lamp. A wooden carved door and a metal detector frame stand in the background. The seated figure appears to be a person, identified by long swept hair, saffron robes, tilak and ritual setting, and the page indicates him present.2018-05-29 +1 copiesNight-time courtyard ritual at a stone-walled ashram building. A seated man in orange-red robes with a vertical tilak and long dark hair sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne behind a fire pit (kund) of yellow-painted bricks with a bright flame, a homa setting. Two men in orange turbans and white body markings sit cross-legged at left with hands folded in prayer, one with a rudraksha-style neck garland; a third devotee in orange kneels at lower right with palms joined. A standing figure in orange appears far left. Brass plates, bowls, fruit, flowers and a decorated tray with white and red streamers sit on striped mats near the fire. A carved wooden door frames the right side.2018-05-29 +1 copies