Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a Hindu ritual inside a temple hall with a red striped floor covering. In the centre, a priest in a bare-chested pose with a purple and yellow sash holds a brass vessel and pours or offers liquid toward a fire pit built from stacked red bricks, with smoke rising. Around him, men in white dhotis and a man in a saffron-orange shawl stand near brass lamps, decorated copper pots and a silver-and-green umbrella. Plates of coloured powders, flower petals and small offerings are arranged on the floor in front. On the right, a floral altar is decorated with white and orange garlands and marigolds, and a large metal pot stands nearby. Colourful painted pillars frame the left side. The scene reads as a homa or yagna ceremony with abhishekam-style offerings.

More like this

Open the gallery
A homa ritual in a temple hall with a fire pit of stacked bricks blazing with smoke and flowers. Several priests in white dhotis and yellow or orange cloths stand behind rows of metal plates filled with offerings, flower petals and grains laid on red mats. A priest in a saffron-yellow shawl and white dhoti gestures over the fire, and a bare-chested attendant holds a tray. Garlands of marigolds and a green umbrella decorate the space; colourful striped pillars frame the hall. A man in a white shawl and a saffron-clad figure with a bindi stand nearby.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A homa or yagna ceremony in a decorated temple hall. Priests in white dhotis and saffron-orange cloths tend a fire pit of stacked bricks decorated with flowers and marigold garlands, with smoke rising. A priest in white with a shawl holds a brass vessel and ladle, while another in an orange garment holds a plate of coloured powders and offerings. Nearby, a line of women in white saris and green-bordered saris stand with hands folded in prayer beside a garlanded altar draped in red cloth. Brass lamps, a copper pot, banana leaves, fruits and turmeric plates sit on a red striped mat.2018-04-14A ritual ceremony inside a hall with a bright tiled interior and hanging marigold garlands. Men in saffron-orange dhotis, some bare-chested with sacred threads, perform a puja around a red-and-white striped cloth covered with brick-like blocks decorated with flowers, a fire pit sending up smoke, brass oil lamps and metal pots. In the centre, a man in white dhoti and gold-yellow shawl with a white floral garland holds his hands near the fire, while a man in a dark turban and rudraksha-style beads stands beside him. Plates of flowers, herbs and offerings are laid on the floor in front, and a few women in white saris stand at the right edge with hands folded. Several men in orange and white attire stand around the altar playing ritual instruments.2018-04-14A homa fire ceremony at a temple courtyard with a smoky fire pit built of brick-shaped blocks decorated with marigold garlands and coloured cloth. A bare-chested man with a sash and white dhoti, facing the fire, holds up ritual items as smoke rises. Beside him, a man in saffron-orange cloth and rudraksha malas holds a brass plate of offerings. Other men in white and cream dhotis with garlands stand nearby, and a deity murti is decorated with flower garlands and a kalasha-style setting behind a red-and-white draped altar. Brass lamps and pots sit on the floor, with coloured umbrellas hanging above.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14 +1 copiesA homa fire ritual inside a temple hall with a red-and-white striped mat. A priest in a bare upper body, purple and gold dhoti, pours liquid from a silver vessel onto a burning fire pit ringed with bricks wrapped in flower garlands, and marigold and flower garlands hang behind. Several men in yellow and white dhotis stand nearby, one holding a tray of fruit and another a tray of red flowers. Behind them, a decorated deity murti is adorned with garlands, and devotees with folded hands watch. Brass vessels and oil lamps sit around the pit, and colourful drapes and pillars frame the hall.2018-04-14 +1 copiesApril 14 20182018-04-14 +1 copiesA homa is performed inside a hall decorated with marigold garlands and colourful striped pillar wraps, with green and red ceremonial umbrellas overhead. A priest in a white dhoti with a bare chest and rudraksha mala stands beside a fire pit of stacked bricks, flames and smoke rising from offerings. Men in saffron and orange dhotis, some with gold chains, stand by, and one carries a tray of red flowers. Behind them, devotees in white stand with hands folded near a decorated altar piled with flower garlands.2018-04-14A homa fire ritual at a construction site, with a sacred fire burning inside a square pit lined with red bricks and scattered with marigold petals. A bearded priest in a white dhoti and yellow shawl holds a silver ladle over the flames, while beside him another priest in yellow robes holds a brass vessel. Men in saffron and yellow dhotis stand around, one kneeling at right with a brass bowl and a fruit tray placed nearby. Marigold garlands hang along the pillars, a green decorated umbrella is raised above, and brass lamps stand on a red-and-gold striped mat. Several people are seated and standing in the background.2018-04-14