Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A large seated crowd of bare-chested men at a Rudra Abhishekam style ritual, many wearing orange-and-saffron head bands across their foreheads and white or cream dhotis. Several men have white ash or sandalwood paste smeared on their chests and arms, and some wear white beaded necklaces and rudraksha malas. In the foreground a man in khaki trousers and a white-ash-marked torso sits cross-legged on a colourful striped mat, holding a small white cloth, while a man in a white dhoti and orange band sits to the right pressing his palms together. Behind them more participants sit closely packed, and a few people in white dhotis stand at the upper right near lights and decorations. No single figure is clearly identifiable as a person, and the scene shows ritual participants rather than a central dais figure.

More like this

Open the gallery
December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02A large group of shirtless male participants sit cross-legged on colourful striped mats in a covered hall during an evening ritual. Many have white sacred ash or paste smeared across their chests, arms and faces, and several wear white cloths tied at the waist, white cords around the neck, and orange or saffron headbands with eye-shaped designs on their foreheads. Some participants hold small items in their hands and appear to be applying paste to each other. In the background a woman in a red sari stands near a red-draped platform, and ritual items are visible at the far side of the hall. Dim overhead lights and red and gold fabric decorations surround the scene.2016-12-02A large crowd of men, mostly bare-chested and wearing white dhotis, sits closely packed on striped rainbow mats inside a tent-like hall during a ritual. Many have white ash or paste smeared across their shoulders, backs and chests, and several wear orange or saffron cloth around their heads and white cords tied at their necks. Some hold small containers or pour liquid, while others look down or rest their palms together. Plastic water bottles, folded white cloth and an orange bag lie on the mats in the foreground. Many people are visible, with more standing in the background near red drapes and stage equipment.2016-12-02Men seated cross-legged on a colourful striped mat during a ritual in a covered hall under bright lights. Many participants are bare-chested, wearing cream or white dhotis and rudraksha malas, and several have orange or yellow strips tied across their foreheads. A man in the centre has white ash marks on his face and chest, and a young man in front wears a red headband and holds his palms together. Several men cup white substance in their palms, and a bag and folded white cloth lie on the mat. Behind them a photographer stands near ornate gold-and-red decorations and a red curtain.2016-12-02A dense crowd of bare-chested male devotees sits in close rows during a ritual, many wearing white sacred cords and orange-and-white painted markings across their foreheads and eyes. Several men wear white ash or paste smeared on chests and shoulders, and some have their hands folded or raised in prayer. In the upper background, multicoloured string lights glow above a hall of spectators in mostly white and pastel clothing. A foreground devotee in a red headband and white forehead marks sits with eyes closed and hands pressed together. Several others are seated behind and around him. The scene suggests a group meditation or initiation practice.2016-12-02March 06 20162016-03-06 +1 copiesDecember 02 20162016-12-02A large group of men sit closely packed on mats in a hall, most shirtless and wearing white dhotis with white sacred threads across their chests. Many have white vibhuti or tilak marks on their foreheads and bodies. Several wear rudraksha malas and pendant necklaces. Some sit with hands folded in prayer while others sit attentively. No single figure is clearly identifiable as a person in this crowd.2017-02-22July 04 20172017-07-04 +1 copiesMay 26 20172017-05-26A large crowd of men sits cross-legged on the floor of a hall during a ritual gathering. Most are bare-chested, wearing white dhotis with yellow borders, rudraksha malas and gold chains, and many have white sacred ash markings across their chests and arms. Some wear orange or saffron cloths draped over their shoulders. A few men in the front row have tilak on their foreheads, one holds his face in his hands, and a man at right has a red-and-white bead bracelet. Striped mats and a backpack lie in the foreground. Many more people fill the background.2015-11-24