Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor puja on a raised stage beneath strings of lights and a hanging festoon. A standing man in a white dhoti with gold-bordered edges and a gold necklace holds a brass bowl and a small incense burner, offering smoke toward a wooden seat and a small altar with flowers and brass lamps. Four women in red and maroon saris sit in a row on the left, one wearing white flowers in her hair, with a large orange-draped deity murti and flower garlands beside them. Behind, a seated figure in saffron robes and an orange turban sits on an ornate gold throne, appearing to be a person in saffron, with a rudraksha mala and gold necklace; the person is in the background, not the central figure. Puja vessels, steel bowls and marigolds fill the foreground.

More like this

Open the gallery
Evening ritual on a raised outdoor stage lit by strings of coloured lights. A bare-chested-to-shoulder man in white dhoti with gold borders and a white shawl stands with palms joined in namaskar before a deity murti decorated with white and gold ornaments, garlands and yellow flowers. a person with a shaved head and gold necklace, in white ritual dress, stands centre. To the right a seated figure in saffron-orange robes, orange turban and rudraksha mala sits on a gold-framed throne with a red cushion. Three women in red and maroon saris sit in front on the left, with more women seated behind. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, brass bowls of flowers and rice, and a bell lie on the floor. Orange and gold drapes hang at the left edge.2011-10-05October 05 20112011-10-05October 05 20112011-10-05October 05 20112011-10-05Night ritual under a decorated pavilion with a row of women in red and maroon saris seated on an orange-and-white draped platform before clay deity murtis, including a pink elephant-headed figure with a purple garland and goddess figures with yellow garlands and halos. A priest in white dhoti and white shawl with red border, bare-chested, stands at right holding a brass lamp and waving a flame over a wooden stand; a mahout-style brass vessel and fruit, tomatoes, limes and plates of offerings sit on the platform. A seated woman in the foreground holds a green fruit. Red lights and triangular bunting decorate the background, and an umbrella-shaped canopy hangs at top left.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof with festoon lights and saffron pennants strung overhead. Several young women in red and maroon saris sit in a row on the left, one holding a flower, before a long orange-draped altar laid with fruit, coconuts, brass plates and small bowls. On the right a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl stands holding a lit lamp and an offering vessel, with smoke rising. Behind him a seated figure in saffron-coloured clothing sits by an ornate red-and-gold throne-like seat. At left are white floral-decorated deity murti with garlands and a painted mural. Several onlookers are visible on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual in an open pavilion decorated with hanging tassels, strings of lights and green leaves. At right, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered shawl and yellow waist cloth holds a small bell and a silver vessel while facing a wooden stand with an offering of red apples and green limes on brass plates. Along the left, several women in maroon and red saris sit on the floor holding flowers, with petals scattered on the orange cloth. In the centre, a figure in white robes sits on a red-cushioned throne flanked by seated monks in saffron and orange. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with a crown, and a bright string-lit backdrop. Devotees sit in the background. Ritual setting suggests puja with offerings.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual at a Chandi Homa outdoors under a canopy. Women in maroon and red saris sit in a row on an orange-draped platform, several holding fruit and flowers, with brass plates of apples, bananas, melons and other offerings before them. Behind them a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, adorned with white floral decoration, stands beside a lion vahana. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders, bald-headed, holds a lit lamp or incense near a fire pit with smoke. Strings of lights, saffron pennants and a decorated ornate throne-like seat appear in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photo of a homa/puja at an outdoor pandal. In the foreground, several young women in red and maroon sarees sit on an orange-draped low platform, one with hands held together in prayer, with fruits, flowers, brass plates and bowls laid out before them. Behind them a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with green border pours or offers from a vessel beside a fire pit with rising smoke. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red and gold throne near a deity murti decorated with white flower garlands. Strings of marigolds, orange triangular flags and tassel-hung poles frame the scene, with festive lights and a poster at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15