Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A brightly lit tented temple hall during a fire ritual. In the foreground a gold-rimmed square homa fire pit sits on a striped woven mat, surrounded by brass bowls, fruit, a yellow-filled plate and heaped white grain. Behind it, a row of devotees sits on the floor and several men in white dhotis and orange-saffron cloths stand or kneel near ornate altars heavily decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands, banana plants and hanging oil lamps. A cameraman films the scene from the left. A wall clock and sign-like panels are visible at left.

More like this

Open the gallery
December 19 20162016-12-19A photograph of an indoor ritual hall under a white tent ceiling hung with colourful lanterns and strings of lights. In the centre, a fire burns in a square homa pit surrounded by offering plates, bananas, green beans and a small clock. A priest in a rust-orange dhoti sits cross-legged at the fire, while two standing participants in orange and gold garments, one wearing a green-and-gold headdress, hold flower garlands and offerings before the flames. A large crowd of seated devotees fills the hall in front, and a gilded deity murti and a decorated altar with garlands occupy the background. The scene reads as a homa or yagna ceremony.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A photograph of a ritual puja at a temple shrine decorated with gold-framed arches and fresh garlands of white, yellow and red flowers. Two deity murtis stand on the altar, dressed and garlanded. In the foreground, a fire pit burns with a homa, and a priest in an orange-gold dhoti holds a ritual ladle over it. Another priest in an orange dhoti stands behind, holding a plate with a lamp. A figure on the left wears an orange wrap and speaks into a microphone. A kalasha, brass vessels, flower offerings and a wall clock sit on the floor. The text overlay in the corner reads a2016-12-19A photograph inside a decorated tent during a homa fire ritual. A square fire pit with flames and smoke sits on a red-draped table near a large pink and white decorated deity murti and flower garlands. Several priests in white dhotis stand around the fire pit; one bare-chested priest in saffron-yellow cloth holds ritual items, and an older man in white with a red-bordered shawl stands at the right with his hands folded. Brass lamps, kalasha pots with mango leaves, fruit, and offerings are arranged on the table. Hanging colourful lanterns and a gold-framed shrine decorate the background, and a crowd of seated devotees fills the floor, some in saffron and pink saris.2016-12-15 +1 copiesA night-time ritual scene under a large tent with red carpeting and hanging coloured lights. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a yellow cloth over his shoulder and an orange-yellow sash leans over a wooden tray or box filled with flowers and leaves, handling offerings. Beside him, a man in white dhoti with a yellow shawl and a saffron headband holds a small brass vessel, while another attendant in white stands nearby. A woman in a yellow shawl sits on the floor at right, and a seated man in saffron cloth is partially visible at lower centre. At right, an ornate altar with colourful deity figures, garlands and decorated arches stands under strings of lights. Garlands, brass lamps and a wall clock are visible.2016-12-05December 19 20162016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A temple ritual inside an ornately decorated shrine with gold-and-blue arches. Two deity murtis stand draped with long garlands of yellow, red and white flowers. A central figure in a golden crown sits on a peetha/throne with a kalasha-like arrangement before him, while beside him a shaved-headed priest in orange dhoti and orange shawl holds a silver tray of offerings and lamps. Another attendant in orange, with white forehead markings and a rudraksha-style beaded necklace, stands near the front. A fire pit burns in the foreground surrounded by flower petals, fruit, brass vessels and a round wall clock. The scene shows a homa or puja-style worship with lit flames and offerings.2016-12-19December 15 20162016-12-15 +1 copiesA photo from an evening ritual inside a tented hall with white ceiling, hanging decorative lamps and bright lights. In the foreground a bearded man in saffron/orange clothing sits on a leopard-print cushioned seat with hands joined in namaskar; a gold-coloured lion-form object sits near him. Opposite, a bare-chested elderly priest in white dhoti and shawl with a sacred thread stands with palms raised before a long red-draped table holding offerings, a kalasha-style vessel, a wall clock, and a fire pit with flames at the right. Behind them a large crowd of mostly women in saffron, pink and white saris sits watching, a cameraperson films, and a golden deity murti with a flower garland stands on the left. A screen behind shows a face. Gold-framed ornate pillars line the back.2016-12-15A photograph of a temple-style ritual inside a decorated tent hall. Several deity murtis are dressed in gold and yellow garments and garlanded with yellow, orange and red flower strands; a large golden hooded cobra canopy rises over the figures on the left. Banana plants and draped fabric frame the scene. On the red-carpeted floor, a man in a brown robe with a long-haired appearance stands center-right holding a lit oil lamp and a flower garland before the murtis, while two seated devotees in orange and gold clothing, one bare-chested, sit nearby with trays. A large white wall clock is visible at the lower right. Flower petals scatter the floor. Several other people in white and light clothing stand in the background.2016-12-19