Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space. A fire burns in a yellow-edged stone fire pit, sending up smoke. Several young men in orange-saffron robes sit on the floor, some with shaved heads and white tilak marks, some wearing rudraksha malas. A young man in front on the right, with a shaved head and white markings on his chest, sits with an open book and offering items. Behind him stands a gold lamp stand with an oil lamp, beside a red velvet and gold throne. A framed portrait on the throne shows a figure in orange robes with a mala. Yellow marigold garlands and brass vessels surround the fire pit.

More like this

Open the gallery
November 09 20132013-11-09Night ritual outdoors: a fire pit (homa kunda) with yellow-and-white tiered sides burns with flames and smoke. Seven young boys in saffron-orange dhoti and shawls sit cross-legged in a row, with white horizontal forehead marks, white sacred ash on the arms and chests, and beaded rudraksha-style necklaces. The boy at right prepares offerings. Two tall brass oil lamps (deepas) flank the fire, with a brass kalasha, a bowl and a copper vessel nearby. Yellow marigold garlands and flowers decorate a red-and-gold cushion, a tray and brass vessels. A figure in the far upper right is partly visible among garlands.2013-11-09November 20 20132013-11-20A photograph of a homa fire ritual on a raised, yellow-and-white tiered fire pit with burning embers and ash inside. Around it sit about eight shaven-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with white tilak marks, rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, and some with bare upper bodies, seated on mats. Brass oil lamps (kuthuvilakku) with yellow marigold garlands stand at the right, alongside a brass vessel and a plate of bananas and pineapple. A seated figure in white garments with beaded necklaces is visible at the upper right, and a few other people in saffron appear at the top edge. A faint printed caption at the bottom right is partly legible.2013-11-09December 19 20132013-12-19 +1 copiesNovember 20 20132013-11-20Night photograph of a homa fire ceremony on a tiered yellow-and-white fire pit with flames and smoke rising. Around it sit a group of young saffron-robed monks with shaved heads and white tripundra markings on their foreheads, some with rudraksha malas, hands joined in prayer. A standing monk in orange at the back, and a seated priest in white with a mala to the right. Brass oil lamps stand beside the pit, with yellow marigold garlands and offerings on a cloth in the foreground.2013-11-09December 17 20132013-12-17Night-time outdoor homa at a white stepped fire pit with a bright flame, a homa-style fire ritual. Two young priests in saffron-orange robes sit on mats, one feeding offerings into the fire with a bare arm and the other holding wooden sticks. Marigold garlands wrap the pit steps. Behind, a figure in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala and sandalwood markings sits near a gold-framed throne-like seat. A man in white at the far left speaks into a microphone. On the right, decorated kalasha pots with blue and red ornaments and yellow marigold garlands stand on a maroon-draped table. A gilded palanquin frame appears at upper left. Yellow plastic bags and scattered flower petals lie on the ground.2013-12-21Night ritual on an open outdoor stage with a smoky haze. On the left, shaved-headed young monks in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged with palms pressed together in prayer before a fire pit and an altar. The altar holds a golden arched shrine framing a deity murti draped in flower garlands, with yellow marigolds and a pink garland, brass oil lamps, kalasha pots and brass vessels. Center, a woman in a deep red sari holds a handheld fan toward the ritual. On the right, a man in saffron robes and a gold-and-red ornate throne chair wears a rudraksha mala and gold necklace, seated with bare feet on a rug. Other saffron-clad attendants stand near the throne. This appears to be a homa or puja with an attending audience.2013-10-16Night-time homa at an open outdoor courtyard. A yellow-bordered square fire pit holds a small flame and ash, with brass lamps and yellow marigold garlands beside it. Seated shaven-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit on orange mats. A standing man in orange dhoti wraps his hand around a thread, and a young man in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala sits near the fire. Behind them a table holds rows of brass vessels and a blue-and-white parasol stands at right. Smoke rises through the scene.2013-11-09Night-time ritual at a temple with a fire pit and offerings. Several shaven-headed young priests in saffron-orange robes sit on the floor facing a raised golden throne-like peetha decorated with multicoloured garlands. A figure on the throne wears a red cloth and is adorned with garlands and a rudraksha-style necklace. Two priests in orange sit near the fire, one holding a long white ritual stick and another with hands folded in prayer. Brass lamps and a silver bowl stand beside a yellow-edged homa pit with flames and flower offerings. A white-walled stepped structure with red stripes forms the backdrop.2013-11-09