Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night-time outdoor ritual at a yagna or homa setting. A figure in orange and red robes with a red turban sits on a red-and-gold throne at the back, with a fire and smoke rising before him. Foreground: shaved-headed young boys in saffron-orange robes sit on yellow-cloth floor, a white-clad man with a white cloth wrapped around his head and bare upper body and bracelets sits with his back to camera, and several white-clad attendants stand nearby. Brass vessels, pots and flower offerings sit on a yellow cloth, and a red-draped table with yellow marigolds and blue cloth stands at left. Two women in white stand at right. A car passes in the background.

More like this

Open the gallery
November 20 20132013-11-20August 25 20172017-08-25Outdoor homa ritual at a fire pit built into a stone platform, with flames and smoke rising from offerings of grains and flowers. A priest in white dhoti with bare chest, gold-bordered cloth, and tilaka pours a liquid from a silver vessel into the fire while another priest in saffron-orange robes with a gold-bordered shawl and a light cloth stands nearby holding a small silver plate. Devotees in saffron and white kneel with palms joined in front of a red velvet armchair with gold trim. Behind them, a shrine with a deity murti sits under a golden arch, with palm trees, a red compound wall and a parked silver SUV. Small brass bowls of kumkum and flowers sit at the edge of the pit.2013-09-09November 25 20142014-11-25November 07 20132013-11-07Night-time outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof beside a golden deity murti of Ganesha, draped with yellow and red garlands and seated on a gilded elephant-shaped vahana. A fire pit burns in front, with fruit and brass vessels set out as offerings. A figure in a saffron-orange robe with a shaved head sits cross-legged near the fire. A seated person in a deep maroon robe rests on a red-cushioned gilded throne at the right, holding a yellow cloth. A man in white kneels at the fire's edge, and saffron-robed attendants sit nearby. Women in white and in saris stand at the right, some holding yellow items and some with hands folded. A standing fan and string lights are visible. The scene is consistent with a homa and puja.2013-11-04A homa fire burns in a metal fire pit on the floor of an indoor hall as a standing man in orange robes and red-bordered dhoti stands with palms joined. A shaved-headed priest in orange kneels at left beside brass vessels, fruit offerings and kalasha-like pots with white flowers. Behind the fire, about a dozen seated devotees in orange shawls and white clothes sit with hands folded. A gilded throne with a tiger-patterned cushion stands at left, and a camera tripod is visible. Smoke rises through a beam of light from a high window.2012-07-11October 15 20132013-10-15Outdoor homa ritual under a open-sided pavilion with palm trees behind. A large fire pit with bright flames stands in the foreground on the left. A seated figure in an orange-cushioned throne chair, wearing a long white garland and orange robes, sits with hands raised in prayer, with a lit lamp beside the throne. In front of the throne, a man kneels on a pink cloth wearing white dhoti, bare chest, rudraksha mala and red-pink turban, making offerings near small brass pots and kalasha vessels. Several young girls in white and gold saris with flower garlands and gold headpieces kneel nearby. A row of seated devotees in saffron and orange robes sits along the left and a priest in maroon and gold robes stands behind, pouring from a vessel. About 30 people are visible.2014-10-03Outdoor night homa at an ashram, with a large open fire pit blazing at left. A seated man in a white-and-gold dhoti sits in front of a fire pit, holding a metal bowl and a ladle. Beside him, a central figure wearing a saffron-and-gold robe, rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklace sits on an ornate red and gold throne, hands joined in front of him. Seated to the right, several shaved-headed young monks in orange robes sit on a cloth, holding small offerings and brass vessels. Standing figures in orange robes stand behind the throne, and a pedestal fan and a bright white car are visible in the background.2013-10-16Night-time outdoor ritual photograph at a temple-like setting. A seated priest in white dhoti with a shaved head and sandalwood markings on his forehead and arms tends a white stone yajna platform with a dark square fire pit. Behind him, a figure in a saffron-orange robe with rudraksha beads sits upright on a red velvet throne with gold trim; a seated white-clad assistant stands beside. Several white-clad attendants sit in the background. Plates of flowers, grains, fruits and coconut-like offerings lie on a white cloth in the foreground, with brass vessels and oil lamps nearby. Behind the platform are decorated deity figures, marigold garlands and colourful striped hangings.2010-10-15Night-time homa at an open ashram courtyard. A fire burns in a yellow-and-white tiered fire pit decorated with painted motifs, with dry grass laid around its base. Several shaved-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit cross-legged around the fire, some making offerings. At right, a figure in white dhoti with a white head cloth and white shawl sits beside the fire, along with another in white. A man in orange robes sits in the background. A yellow flower garland and a tray of fruit sit at the right edge. Smoke rises into the dark roof area.2013-10-15