Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor ritual on a raised stage decorated with strings of triangular pennant flags and banana-leaf plants. A seated figure on an orange armchair wears a dark red-orange dhoti and has a white and pink flower garland across the lap and a hand raised in greeting. Around the stage, about eight men in white dhotis with gold borders stand in rows with hands folded in añjali mudra, several wearing rudraksha malas; the one at far right has a red headwrap and rudraksha mala. Brass lamps and a kalasha-like vessel sit on a dark platform scattered with flower petals, and a striped pillar stands behind them.

More like this

Open the gallery
A night ritual scene at a yellow-stone fire pit (homa kund) with marigold petals and small oil lamps on the floor. A man in a maroon-and-gold dhoti and shawl, with a white-and-pink flower garland, sits on an orange cushioned throne at left. Facing him, seven young men in white dhotis with gold borders stand with palms pressed together in namaskar; some wear rudraksha malas. Two men in orange-and-saffron robes stand in the middle, one holding an open book. Paper bunting and a brass arch hang overhead, with potted plants at the right. The seated man has long hair and matches the page's a person cue of an ornate gold-bordered garment, garland and throne, so he is recorded as a probable in-person candidate, though the appearance is only partly clear.2014-10-03July 07 20152015-07-07A night-time outdoor ceremony at an open-air ashram setting with strings of triangular pennant flags overhead. A man seated on an orange armchair wears a dark red-maroon robe with gold trim and a white and pink garland, his hands resting on his lap. Standing nearby is a young man in a maroon robe with gold-striped waist cloth and a mala, hands folded. A man in white ritual clothing with a red head wrap kneels on the platform, hands joined in greeting. Several women in red and orange saris with white flower garlands sit on a raised golden platform with lamps and a brass kalasha-style vessel. A striped multicoloured cloth covers the floor in front of the armchair, and a brass urn with marigold petals sits at the right.2014-10-03August 29 20142014-08-29Night ritual scene at a temple-style hall with a sunken yellow-tiered fire pit (homa/yagna) in the foreground, lit by small oil lamps and scattered flower petals. Seven men in plain white dhotis with gold-bordered edges and rudraksha malas stand with palms pressed together in namaste behind the pit; one holds an open book, and the man at far right wears a red turban. At left, a man seated on an orange-cushioned throne-like chair, wearing a red-and-gold shawl, a flower garland and a white forehead mark, sits with folded hands on a striped mat. A brass lamp stands at right beside a red paisley cloth, with a hanging brass arch and garlanded bunting overhead.2014-10-03A photograph of a ritual scene at night under a tarpaulin-roofed open hall. A seated man on an orange throne-like chair, wearing a maroon-and-gold dhoti or wrap, a white flower garland and a wrist adornment, watches the group in front of him. A row of about eight young men in white dhotis with gold borders stand with palms pressed together in anjali, several wearing rudraksha malas. Among them are men in saffron and orange robes and one in a pink turban. In the foreground is a square golden-edged fire pit or yagna kund, with a brass lamp and small lit diyas, and flower petals scattered on the floor. The seated man is a person by appearance: a long hairstyle, ornate maroon-and-gold clothing, a floral garland and a rudraksha-adorned throne setting. Garlands, a brass kalasha and a pink-and-gold cloth are visible at the edges.2014-10-03Night-time outdoor ceremony under a dark sky with hanging circular rings and a string of green leaves strung across the top. A standing man in white ritual dhoti and shawl with a turban and beaded necklaces stands with palms pressed together in front of an ornate red and gold throne. Beside him a man in orange robes holds a silver tray, and an elderly bearded sannyasi in orange-red cloth with white body markings and a turban holds offerings. Another man in white with a mala sits below near a fire pit with flowers, and a figure in white stands at the right edge. Two colourful painted pillars frame the stage, with women in red and pink saris seated at the lower left.2010-10-16 +2 copiesSix young men stand in a row at night outdoors, wearing white dhoti-style cloth with gold borders, bare upper bodies draped with white shawls, and dark rudraksha malas around their necks. Several have their palms pressed together in anjali, one stands with hands folded at waist, and one wears a tilak on his forehead. A red pillar and a hanging orange cloth frame the scene, with a microphone at the left edge. No single figure is identified as a person; the group appears to be devotees or sannyasi-trainees in ritual attire.2014-10-02October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa or puja platform decorated with marigold and yellow flower petals. A man in a white dhoti and cream turban stands on a red and gold throne, raising his right hand and scattering yellow flowers, smiling. Beside him a man in white cloth with a shawl and gold beaded necklace speaks into a microphone. A bare-chested priest with white body markings and rudraksha beads kneels at the fire pit, and another priest in orange robes holds a silver tray. Young girls in red and pink dresses stand in the foreground. Green leaf festoons and painted pillars frame the scene, with a wooden ritual vessel at right.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at a homa or puja site. A man in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a saffron-and-cream turban and a long mala of beads, stands behind a red-cushioned gold-trimmed throne. Seated in front, a bare-chested priest in white with a shaved head and sandalwood markings works at a fire pit, with white and yellow flower petals scattered on the platform. Standing at right, a shaved-headed man in white with a gold necklace holds a ritual item. Smoke rises from the fire, lit oil lamps stand at left, and girls in red and pink saris with braided hair stand at lower left. Leaves and a garland hang from a bamboo frame above.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNovember 12 20102010-11-12