Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
Night ceremony around a sacred fire pit (homa) on an open-air stage. A figure seated on a white-and-silver decorated throne with long dark hair, wearing orange-saffron robes, layered rudraksha-style beads and garlands, holds a paper and appears to lead the rites; the figure is a person candidate by appearance cues (long hair, saffron clothing, beaded garlands). Around the fire, many women in saffron, orange and red saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces sit and stand, raising hands and clapping, while a bald man in saffron cloth sits at the left edge near offerings and a brass vessel. Coloured string lights glow in the background and smoke rises from the fire.

More like this

Open the gallery
March 10 20132013-03-10A photograph of a fire ritual (homa) in a brightly lit hall with colourful string lights. A person with long dark hair, a gold-bead necklace and a rudraksha-style mala sits cross-legged on a raised seat at the left, holding a paper, and appears to be the one presiding over the ceremony. Around a square fire pit, devotees in saffron and orange clothing with yellow borders sit and kneel, many wearing beaded malas, several with raised hands in mudra. Brass vessels and oil lamps sit near the pit. Behind them, other devotees stand with hands raised, and a printed portrait is visible on the right wall. Roughly two dozen people are visible.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10Night homa at an ashram: a square fire pit with a burning wood fire sits at the center, surrounded by a white-and-gold decorated border. Behind it, a seated figure with long dark hair wears an orange-red sari and multiple strands of beaded necklaces and garlands, seated on a raised silver-and-wood seat. Around the fire, rows of women in orange and red saris with gold borders and rudraksha-style bead necklaces raise their hands toward the flames, and shaved-headed men in orange robes with white forehead markings crouch and gesture toward the fire. Colored lights hang in the background and a seated crowd watches. The seated figure with long hair shows the cues of a candidate for a person, seated as the presiding figure of the ritual.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A photograph of a night homa at a square fire pit lined with white-painted brick, where flames rise from burning wood. A man with long, swept-back dark hair and a saffron robe with gold-threaded trim and layered beaded necklaces sits on a raised seat before an ornate silver-framed backrest, holding a paper while his hands are raised. Around him, saffron-robed women in orange and red garments with gold borders kneel and sit with palms pressed together, many wearing beaded necklaces and bangles. Shaven-headed men in saffron and orange shawls, some with tilak marks, lift their hands near the flames. Coloured fairy lights glow in the background, and a small silver vessel and offering items sit near the fire pit. A crowd of onlookers in the foreground and background watch the ritual.2013-03-10A night homa in progress at a fire pit lined with white and blue patterned tiles, with flames and burning sticks rising from the centre. A long-haired figure in saffron-orange robes with layered beaded garlands sits behind the fire, with a silver-framed backdrop and a white flower-patterned cushion beside them. Around the pit, many women in orange and red saris with gold borders and rudraksha-style necklaces sit and kneel, raising their hands toward the fire. In the foreground, several bald, saffron-clad men lean in with outstretched hands and offer ghee or sticks into the flames.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10Night photograph of a homa fire ritual at an outdoor ashram courtyard. A large square fire pit blazes in the foreground, with a bright fire and offerings of wood and ghee. Behind it, a seated figure on a raised wooden seat with a leopard-print cushion wears orange robes, a long rudraksha mala and a gold ceremonial necklace; the figure's appearance matches the page's a person claim only partially, so the identity is uncertain. Around the fire, many women in saffron and orange saris with rudraksha malas sit and stand, some holding brass vessels, flowers and ritual items, and several raise their hands in prayer. Two shaved-headed men in orange robes sit to the left beside brass pots and lamps. Strings of coloured fairy lights decorate the red wall, and a few men in white stand in the background.2013-03-10A homa fire ceremony in progress at a rectangular fire pit with flames rising from burning wood. A seated figure with long swept-back dark hair, wearing saffron-orange clothing, rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and ceremonial gold neck ornaments, sits on an elevated seat behind the fire, holding a white paper. Around the fire, many devotees in orange and red saris and robes, with yellow borders and beaded malas, sit and kneel, many raising hands toward the flames in offering gestures. Bald men in saffron robes with white tilak marks sit at the left and front edge. Numerous outstretched arms reach into the frame, with a golden ceremonial vessel visible near the pit. A large crowd fills the background in orange and red attire.2013-03-10A homa fire ritual in a square stone fire pit filled with burning wood and flames. Around it, many people in orange and saffron robes sit and kneel, many with rudraksha malas and beaded necklaces, some with white tilak on their foreheads. A woman in the centre front holds a small book and sits near a decorated silver chair. Others raise hands toward the fire, some throwing offerings. Lit coloured lights hang in the background and a few devotees in white stand at the back. Several shaved-headed men sit near the fire in the foreground, their bare heads and arms lit by the flames.2013-03-10March 18 20132013-03-18