Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A large indoor ceremony hall decorated with hanging green leaf garlands and colourful paper lanterns in red, yellow, green and blue. A seated figure in long dark hair, an orange robe with gold border and a gold-bead necklace sits on a red floral rug in the foreground, flanked by a tall gold-topped staff. Other saffron-clad men and white-clad devotees, many with flower garlands, sit cross-legged on mats while a man in white stands at the right with hands raised. Several devotees with palms pressed together fill the middle rows, and a brass-and-gold altar with a lion figure stands at the right edge. Wall paintings of deities line the back wall. Appearance-based cues are insufficient to name the central figure; he is described by role only.

More like this

Open the gallery
December 26 20082008-12-26December 26 20082008-12-26December 26 20082008-12-26A photograph of a large indoor hall with a seated crowd of devotees, many dressed in white with garlands. In the centre, a figure in long flowing dark hair and saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala sits on an orange-cushioned seat on a red-and-patterned rug, eyes lowered in meditation. Beside them, a shaved-headed monk in orange robes sits holding a tall golden staff. Behind the seat, a golden deity murti and red-draped structure are visible. Colourful paper lanterns hang from the ceiling and framed pictures line the walls. Spectators stand at the back of the hall, and a small red box and offerings sit on the floor.2008-12-26A photograph of a large open-hall ritual gathering. A long-haired figure in saffron-orange robes with a heavy orange-and-gold bead necklace sits cross-legged on a red patterned rug, hands folded, leading the proceedings; the appearance is consistent with the a person cues of long hair, saffron clothing and ceremonial beads. Beside them, a shaven-headed man in orange robes sits on the floor. Behind them, a row of seated devotees in white dhotis and shawls wear garlands and sit before small brass-and-red ritual trays and oil lamps. A tall golden staff topped with a trident stands upright, and a golden bull-form statue and marigold garlands appear at the right edge. Overhead hang colourful paper lanterns and bunting, and a large crowd stands and sits in the background.2008-12-26A large gathering of seated devotees in white and colourful garments fills a hall decorated with hanging balloons and garlands. In the foreground, a central figure with long hair, wearing an orange robe, saffron-gold shawl and a long orange-beaded mala, sits cross-legged on a red patterned carpet with eyes closed, appearing to meditate. Beside him a man in an orange robe holds a tall golden staff. Nearby, a red tray and flower offerings sit on the mat, and a golden deity murti stands at the right edge. Framed photographs line the walls, with a banner overhead.2008-12-26December 26 20082008-12-26Indoor temple hall during a ceremony. A figure in saffron-orange robes with a long gold-and-beaded necklace sits on an orange-and-gold cushioned seat on a red carpet, with long dark hair, hands folded. A second man in orange robes with a gold necklace and glasses sits beside him holding a tall gold trident-topped staff. Behind them rows of seated devotees, some in white dhotis with garlands and marigold strands, women in saris and salwar, all facing the front. A golden statue and a red-draped seat stand at the right, with a microphone stand near a man in white at the rear. Red-and-white oil lamps sit on the floor at left, and colourful paper lanterns hang from the ceiling.2008-12-26A photograph of a pandal-covered hall during a ritual. A seated figure in a saffron-orange robe and orange garland sits on a red-and-maroon patterned rug, with a golden kalasha-style vessel and a golden-tipped staff behind. A man in white dhoti and shawl stands bowing toward the seated figure. In the foreground, a woman in orange sari sits beside offering trays of fruit, flowers and coconuts, and an ascetic in orange cloth sits on the matting. Many seated devotees in white, orange and teal fill the hall, with oil lamps lit along the floor. Hanging paper ornaments and green mango leaves decorate the ceiling.2008-12-26December 26 20082008-12-26A seated figure in orange robes sits on an orange-draped throne with gold trim and a zebra-print cushion under a canopy of colourful paper lanterns. The figure has long dark hair, a red bindi, and a gold necklace with ornate pendants, and holds hands together in the lap. A tall gold trident and a gold staff stand beside the throne. Behind, a seated crowd of devotees in white, some wearing flower garlands, sits with hands folded in prayer on a mat, with women in saffron and maroon saris among them. A man in white with glasses stands at the right edge near the staff. Overlay text in the corner reads . Appearance-based candidate: Swamiji (probable), seated on the throne, identified by long swept-back hair, saffron robes, ornate gold necklace and throne setting2008-12-26 +1 copiesA seated man in saffron-orange robes with long swept-back hair and a rudraksha mala sits on a red patterned rug in his hands raised in a teaching gesture, with a gold-tipped ceremonial staff beside him. Another man in orange with a gold necklace sits to his right, and a bald man in orange sits in the foreground holding the staff. Behind them a seated audience of men and women, many in white and orange saris, sits on mats under a tin roof hung with colourful paper lanterns. On the left are fruit and flower offerings on brass plates, and a cameraman films the scene at right.2008-12-26