Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night photograph of a fire ritual on a dirt ground. A tall vertical pole stands in a large blazing fire with flames and smoke rising, with bundles of offering material tied near its base. In the foreground a priest in a red-orange garment and a white head covering crouches low, tending the fire and holding a white cloth bag and a small ladle-like vessel, with a rudraksha-style mala around his neck. Behind him, seated devotees in white and light clothing sit in rows on the ground and on chairs, facing the fire, with a stack of firewood to the right. A decorated temple structure with lit lamps and colourful ornaments stands in the background, with standing attendants in white near the left edge. This appears to be a homa or yagna performed outdoors at night.

More like this

Open the gallery
January 02 20162016-01-02March 02 20132013-03-02March 02 20132013-03-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a large, bright fire blazing on a sandy ground beside a rectangular wooden frame of logs, with thick smoke rising above. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl stands at right, raising a long pole or torch high overhead toward the fire. Several other men in orange and red garments stand at left, some holding poles, near the flames. At right, a line of people in white traditional clothing watches. Behind them, illuminated decorated chariots or palanquins with lights glow in the dark, and strings of coloured lights hang at left.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of an outdoor ritual ground where a large bonfire burns beside a wooden frame of bamboo poles. A figure in white dhoti and shawl stands near the flames holding a long staff, while another person in white stands behind. Illuminated decorated chariot or float with deity figures appears at left, and a decorated ratha-like structure with colourful ornaments stands at right. A lit pavilion and a crowd of people in white and gold-bordered clothing stand along the background. Strings of coloured lights decorate the scene.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a large bonfire blazing on bare ground, with sparks rising. Several people in saffron-orange robes stand and move around the fire, some with hands raised, others in white dhotis and a cream sari. At left, an ornate illuminated shrine with a deity murti sits under floodlights. A dark-clothed figure with raised arm appears at the right edge, and a building with lit windows is behind. No clear a person cues are visible among the people; the scene suggests a homa or fire ritual.2013-03-02