Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A temple puja in progress before a decorated deity murti garlanded with red, yellow and white flowers. A bald priest in a white dhoti and red-bordered cloth sits on the floor pouring an offering into a fire pit, with smoke rising in the air. A second person in an orange robe and patterned cap sits beside him. In front of them lie spread trays of fruits, red flower petals, coconuts, a steel bowl of fried food, and several dishes of rice and pulao on a red cloth. Brass lamps and an orange cloth hang in the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
A photograph of an outdoor puja at a shrine with a garlanded deity murti and smoke rising from ritual offerings. Three seated priests in white dhotis and shawls perform the rite; one at the front wears an orange shawl and white garment and holds a flower or offering, another in orange wears a patterned cap and a beaded mala, and a seated man in white with a mala sits on the left. A microphone stands before them. In front lie plates of fruit, coconuts, red flowers, rice dishes, sweets and a brass vessel on a red cloth. Orange and red drapes, a red-and-white striped wall and brass lamps frame the scene. a person is not clearly identifiable from appearance, so no candidate is labelled.2010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12A temple puja is performed in an open pavilion before a granite shrine holding decorated deity murti garlanded with marigold and rose-red flower strands, with brass lamps and a smoking incense offering in front. Three men sit on the floor: one in white dhoti with bare chest and rudraksha-style neck garlands at left, one in saffron cloth with a crown-like headpiece behind, and a priest in white dhoti and shawl at centre, reading from a book and tending the offerings. Red-and-white striped plinths line the sides, and on a red cloth in the foreground stand bowls of fruit, rice, sweets, lemons, coconuts and yellow rice.2010-11-12A photograph of a temple shrine with a grey stone structure, orange curtains and a central deity murti decorated with garlands and a red and gold backdrop. Two priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit on the floor in front of the shrine with hands folded in prayer, beside a microphone. A red cloth covers the ground in front, holding metal bowls of rice, yellow and white food, fruit, flowers, a brass plate and a small oil lamp, typical of a puja offering. Brass lamps stand along the shrine railings.2010-11-12A homa or fire ritual before a shrine of three deity murti decorated with garlands in red, green, purple and white. The central figure wears a crown, and flanking figures are adorned with crowns and red-and-gold garments. A man seated on the left, bare-chested with a white dhoti and a beaded necklace, faces the shrine beside a small flame in a fire pit. Brass oil lamps, a microphone stand, and metal bowls of grains, pulses, sweets and yellow powder sit on a red cloth in front.2010-11-12A photograph of a homa at a temple shrine. A priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth sits on a yellow mat before a small brick fire pit where a flame and smoke rise, with ghee and offerings nearby. A microphone stands beside him. Behind him a younger attendant in an orange cloth and a tall decorated cap sits. In front of the shrine, three deity murtis stand with garlands of red, yellow and purple flowers, and a red cloth covers the platform. Brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, and plates of sweets, rice, and fried snacks fill the foreground. Two people are visible.2010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12A photograph of a temple shrine with a deity murti decorated with flower garlands, set in a pillared sanctum with orange curtains. In the foreground, priests in white dhotis and a saffron-robed man with a rudraksha mala perform puja, while a priest kneels with a brass plate and fabric. A spread of fruit, sweets, coconuts, and rice dishes is laid on a red mat, with oil lamps and brass vessels. Two devotees kneel at the right.2010-11-12November 01 20112011-11-01A priest in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a gold chain and bangle, sits cross-legged before a homa fire on a red cloth, performing a ritual at a shrine. Behind him, three deity murtis are decorated with garlands of red, orange, yellow and purple flowers; the central figure holds a trident. Above them, a seated figure in saffron robes with a turban sits on a gold throne, and a golden kalasha stands at the top. Brass oil lamps, bowls of grains, flowers, fruit and a red-and-gold bundle surround the offering area on the floor.2010-11-12