Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Photograph of an abhishekam ritual before a deity murti backdrop of flower garlands and ornate gold-framed decor. A man seated on a red and gold throne wears a brown-orange robe, a flower garland, a heavy gold pendant necklace and a rudraksha-style mala, with a long dark beard; he is a person by appearance cues and the page notes his presence. Around him, shirtless priests in white dhotis with sacred threads and vibhuti marks attend, one pouring or applying a substance, while women in white saris and a woman in a maroon sari watch. Trays of fruit, marigold flowers and brass lamps sit in front. Garlands of yellow, red and green flowers adorn the backdrop and standing figures.

More like this

Open the gallery
December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02Night photograph of a ritual inside a temple-style pavilion decorated with marigold garlands and colourful string lights. A bearded man in a maroon-brown robe, with a rudraksha-style gold necklace and a white flower garland, sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne at the centre. Several people in white dhotis and bare torsos bow toward him or stand nearby; a woman in a dark top and red trousers and another in a purple sari with bangles reach toward the seated figure. Behind them, a large deity murti group is adorned with yellow and orange marigold garlands. Brass lamps stand at the sides, and fruit and marigold offerings sit on a tray in the foreground.2016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02A ceremonial scene inside a temple-like hall during an abhishekam-style ritual. A bearded man with long hair sits on a red-cushioned golden throne wearing a white and gold garland, a rudraksha-style mala, a gold necklace and an orange-brown shawl, with a yellow shawl draped over his shoulders. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti bends forward offering something on a tray before him. Nearby, a woman in a multicoloured patterned sari and another in a purple sari attend, and bare-chested men in white dhotis and shirtless devotees stand around. A video camera operator films at left. Behind the throne, large deity murtis stand adorned with bright marigold and rainbow garlands, and oil lamps and brass vessels rest on a low orange-covered altar decorated with fruit and flowers.2016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02Photograph of a temple abhishekam in progress before a large deity murti decorated with yellow, orange and multicoloured garlands and a rainbow-striped backdrop. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with yellow borders bend over an offering table with silver bowls, one pouring liquid, while a third seated attendant in white is at lower left. Brass lamp stands line the sides, and yellow marigold garlands and flowers cover the wooden platform in front.2016-12-02Photo of an evening ritual before a large decorated altar of deity murtis draped in marigold garlands, with banana leaves and lit lamps on either side. A man seated on a red cushioned seat within a gold frame, wearing a white garland and white clothing, presides over a fire pit with offerings. Several priests in white dhotis, some bare-chested, sit or stand near the fire, and one raises his arm. A dense audience of devotees, mostly seen from behind, sits on the floor in front, with a camera operator at the side. Colourful floral decorations and string lights frame the scene. The setting suggests a homa or abhishekam ceremony.2016-12-02A temple ritual scene with a seated figure on a gold-and-red throne before a garlanded deity shrine with two standing forms. The seated central figure wears a saffron-brown robe, a long white flower garland, a gold pendant necklace and gold armbands, with long dark hair and a beard. Around him, shirtless men in white dhotis and sacred threads assist and perform rites; a cameraman with a video camera stands at left. A woman in a purple sari and a woman in a red shawl lean in with a small child in white, offering devotion. Marigold and yellow flowers, pomegranates and oranges are arranged in front, with brass oil lamps and decorative lights overhead. Swamiji (probable) is the seated figure, marked by the long hair, saffron-brown robe, gold necklace and garlands.2016-12-02Photo of a ritual at a temple-like hall with gold-coloured walls. A central figure seated on a red throne draped with a large garland of yellow, white and red flowers wears a dark turban, orange-brown robe, layered gold necklaces and bangles, and holds a steel bowl. Probable Swamiji (probable): long dark hair visible on a figure in orange, rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklace, seated in the central position on the throne. Around him, several men in white dhoti and shawls and women in saris stand or sit, some handing items, offering petals and pouring from bowls. In front, a large heap of flowers and garlands surrounds a pile of offerings including folded papers and packets. A deity murti decorated with blue and gold cloth stands at left beside a decorative lamp and a small cooler.2016-07-19December 02 20162016-12-02