Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of an evening aarti at night. In the foreground, a large multi-tiered brass lamp blazes with tall flames, held up by a shaved-headed priest seen from behind in a white shirt and saffron-red shawl. Around him, devotees in shawls and white and striped clothes hold up small oil lamps and cups. Behind them, a figure in red and white with a garland stands before a gold-embellished backdrop; a person is shown here seated before the gold backdrop, but the figure's features and cues are only partly visible, so identity is uncertain. Brass lamp stands and ornamental finials frame the scene on the right.

More like this

Open the gallery
Evening photograph of a nighttime ritual seen from behind a crowd of devotees. In the centre a tall flame rises from a golden ornate structure with a trident-like finial, possibly a fire vessel or lamp stand, set against a dark blue backdrop. In the foreground a shaved-headed man in a plain orange-brown cloth draped over his shoulder and a saffron-and-gold sash stands facing the flame. Other devotees around him wear red shoulder cloths and white or striped shirts, some holding small lit lamps. Gold dhwaja-like ornaments flank the scene.2015-07-21A photograph of a ceremonial stage with a golden throne backdrop and a red wall. A tall golden lamp tower with many lit flames stands at left, held by people in white and red clothing. Seated devotees with their backs to the camera, some in white garments and red-bordered shawls, face a central figure in a red-and-orange turban and saffron-coloured robes seated before the golden arch and canopy of the throne. Gilded pillars and a trident-like staff flank the throne. A large painted image of a deity with garlands is at the right edge.2015-10-26Devotees sit on the floor in rows, seen from behind, in a dimly lit hall, many holding lit oil lamps or candles. At the front, a man seated on an ornate golden throne with a red cushioned seat wears an orange-red robe, long white and red flower garlands, a rudraksha mala and a gold ceremonial necklace, and holds a trident-topped staff. He is a person with the saffron-robed, garlanded presentation and rudraksha cues, seated centrally on the throne as the focal point. Brass lamps flank the throne and a fire pit glows at lower right. Devotees wear red and cream shawls over their clothes. A projected backdrop shows a golden sunburst and a shining emblem.2015-07-21A night homa at an open-air ritual site: a large fire blazes in a stone fire pit surrounded by brass bowls, trays of flowers, fruit and coconut offerings. Seated in the foreground, a priest in a white dhoti and a shawl over his shoulders sits beside a bearded officiant wearing orange clothing, red and orange garlands and a rudraksha mala, who holds a ritual vessel. Behind them, rows of seated devotees in white and saffron-coloured clothes fill the courtyard. On the left, a golden throne with a red cushion holds a framed portrait of a figure in orange clothing and red garlands; the portrait is a depiction and no appearance-based identification is made. Marigold garlands decorate the foreground.2016-04-03September 19 20152015-09-19March 28 20132013-03-28A ceremonial stage scene during an outdoor puja. A seated figure on an ornate gold throne with pink flower petals and a white garland, bare-chested with gold jewellery, is the focal point, flanked by gold lion-like pillars and trident-topped stands. In the foreground, a blurred devotee with a flower garland in their hair raises a bright oil lamp toward the throne. Several people in white robes and saffron/orange shawls sit on the raised platform, including one with long white dreadlocks in a pink-orange cloth, and a man in an orange-gold kurta at right. The orange-clad figure at lower left is also in the frame.2016-05-24Devotees perform oil lamp aarti in a hall before a seated figure on an ornate gold throne (peetha) with a lion-shaped base and a gold canopy. The seated figure wears an orange turban, a white and pink flower garland and an orange-red garment; the scene reads as a padapuja or aarti offering. Behind the throne hangs a painted deity image in a golden crown with a red curtain and a trident shadow on the left. Around 20 people are seated on red carpet: several bare-chested men in orange-and-white dhotis and orange shoulder cloths hold lit oil lamps, a woman in an orange sari kneels with hands folded at left, and a bald older man in white at right holds a lamp. A camera on a tripod and stage lights are visible at right. a person seated on the throne, identified by the orange turban, garland and ornate throne.2016-10-12May 24 20162016-05-24Outdoor evening ritual in a garden beside palm fronds. In the centre, a smiling person in a deep red headcloth, red garland, gold necklaces and bangles, and a red-and-gold cloth draped over the shoulders holds a lit flame over a large bronze bowl filled with red and white flowers, with a tall fire rising from it. Behind, a silver ceremonial parasol stands at left. Several people in saffron-orange and red robes with rudraksha malas surround the scene, and a figure in a white turban and white dhoti stands behind the bowl. A throne-like red cushioned seat sits behind the flame. Others at right raise hands in folded-palm greeting, and one person holds up a camera.2013-11-17 +1 copiesNight homa ritual under a open-sided pavilion. A fire burns in a rectangular fire pit with offerings in brass bowls and white grains along the edge. A seated figure on a gold throne with a gold back, wearing an orange-red shawl and floral garlands, watches the fire. To the right, a bare-chested priest in a red dhoti with a pink cloth draped over his shoulder raises an arm holding a ceremonial item over the flames. Many seated devotees in white and orange clothing fill the background, and a flower-decorated kalasha sits in the foreground.2016-04-03 +1 copiesSeptember 19 20152015-09-19