Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A shaved-headed priest in a white dhoti with a maroon border and a gold chain sits bare-chested at a white stone altar, pouring from a silver ladle into a silver bowl. Behind him stands a decorated deity murti with garlands of yellow and purple flowers, flanked by brass oil lamps and painted figures. Silver and brass vessels, plates of flower petals, grains and fruit sit in the foreground. The setting resembles a temple puja or abhishekam, with a shaved-headed priest performing the ritual, and no clearly visible a person candidate.

More like this

Open the gallery
A photograph of a shaved-headed priest in white ritual dhoti and a bare upper body with a gold chain, kneeling at a white stone altar and pouring from a small silver vessel into a silver bowl. Marigold and white flower garlands are arranged on a central deity image, with brass oil lamps on either side. Behind the altar are large painted and garlanded deity images, including a lion-headed form. Silver bowls, scattered grains, flowers and red powder are set out on the altar, indicating a puja or abhishekam.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A photograph of a night-time puja at a shrine before a large colourful deity murti of a goddess with many arms and an ornate white and silver backdrop. A priest with a shaved head, bare-chested, wearing a white dhoti with a red border and gold necklaces, kneels at a white stone homa/yagna platform with a dark square fire pit, pouring offerings and holding a small bowl. Behind him, two men in white kurtas stand with palms joined. Brass oil lamps burn on the right, a plate of bananas and fruit lies in the foreground, and a Ganesha figure and a flower garland decorate the altar. The priest does not show a clear a person appearance.2010-10-15Three shaved-headed priests in plain white dhotis and white shawls sit before a decorated shrine during a puja. The seated priest at centre has his hands folded in anjali, while the one at left sits with a tray and writes or handles items. Both have white ash lines on their arms and foreheads, and gold chains around their necks. Behind them stand painted deity murti figures, including a Ganesha with a pink body and a goddess figure with a garland. A brass oil lamp, kalasha-style vessels, plates of fruit, flowers, sweets and coconuts, and a small silver-and-gold ritual setup lie on the tray in front. Bright garlands of marigolds decorate the shrine.2010-10-15Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flowers, with thick smoke rising. A standing priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth and gold necklaces lifts a silver vessel and a small offering above his head. A seated priest in white kneels at left beside a brass bell, a small lamp and offerings, and a second priest in white is at the right edge. Behind the fire pit a large white-and-silver deity murti with a lion (vahana) stands among sparkling string lights, and seated women in red and orange saris face the fire. Marigold garlands hang on the murti.2010-10-16October 13 20102010-10-13 +1 copiesOctober 11 20102010-10-11 +1 copiesA night homa in progress before a large white deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with garlands and a lit lamp beside her. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a sacred thread and gold necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a silver vessel aloft while another priest kneels at left beside brass bells, a kalasha and offering trays. Smoke rises from the square pit of flowers and fire. Seated devotees in red and orange clothing sit in the background beneath strings of red lights. A man in glasses and white at the right edge watches the ritual.2010-10-16A photo of a ritual inside a temple hall at night. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red border and white sacred markings on his torso and arms kneels on a tiger-skin mat, pouring liquid from a long-handled brass ladle into a square black-lined fire pit or homa kund edged with white and flower petals. Brass vessels, a silver bowl with flowers, a brass lamp stand and yellow marigolds surround him. Behind him, a second man in white sits with a rudraksha-style necklace. In the background stand a pink-faced Ganesha murti and a goddess murti in red and white, beneath a large painted image of a multi-armed goddess riding a lion. The scene suggests a homa or abhishekam performed during a festival.2010-10-08October 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copies