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Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated pavilion, with white smoke drifting across the frame. On the left, a figure in an orange-saffron garment stands close to the ritual area, with an arm extended toward the altar. Two large deity murtis or ornamented idols, adorned with garlands of white, yellow, red and green flowers and gold trappings, stand on the altar, with banana leaves and sugarcane stalks beside them. Marigold and other flower offerings lie on the ground, and a small lamp sits in the lower foreground. Gold and fabric hangings frame the scene, with partial lettering visible on the backdrop.

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July 18 20062006-07-18July 17 20062006-07-17A seated priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and shawl performs a fire offering at a homa altar, holding a burning lamp or flame toward a fire pit. Behind the altar, two gold-adorned deity murtis are garlanded with yellow, red and white flower garlands, and a framed portrait of a bearded man in a turban hangs on the backdrop; the portrait's wording is partly cut off. Banana stalks and green leaves flank the altar, with kalasha-like silver vessels, marigold strands and flower petals set on the ground in front.2006-07-17A photograph of a homa at an indoor ritual setting. In the foreground at left, a seated figure in orange-saffron robes holds a lit ladle or oil lamp flame toward the altar, with smoke rising. Behind the fire area, two golden deity murtis stand adorned with garlands of yellow, red and white flowers. A large framed portrait is set behind them on the backdrop, and a fire pit with offerings and brass vessels sits in front of heaped flowers and banana plant leaves. Smoke fills the air around the scene.2006-07-17July 18 20062006-07-18A smoky ritual scene in a decorated hall. In the foreground at left, a bare-backed priest in ochre cloth sits and holds a lit flame toward a banana-leaf and palm-frond offering area, with flowers and a brass vessel nearby. Behind, two gilded deity murti are garlanded with yellow, green and white flower garlands, and a banner with a portrait reads partly 'Nithyan'. Oil lamps and marigold-like flowers decorate the altar. The priest is seated and his face is not visible, so the a person field is unsure.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17A smoky fire ritual in a decorated hall. A seated priest in saffron-orange robes with a white shawl holds a flaming oil lamp or ritual flame over a homa area. Behind him, garlanded deity murtis, including golden figures with yellow, white and green floral garlands, stand on a decorated dais with stalks of sugarcane or plantain leaves. Marigold and jasmine offerings and brass vessels are arranged in front. A large dark portrait with a printed caption partly reading Nithyan... hangs in the background. A second garlanded murti is visible at right.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17A seated figure in orange-saffron robes with long dark hair and a gold necklace performs a fire offering (homa) at a ceremonial fire pit, holding a bundle of green palm-leaf stalks over flames, with one hand extended toward the fire. Behind the fire, garlanded deity murtis with golden crowns stand before a backdrop, flanked by other garlanded shrines, banana plants and rows of brass kalasha pots with flowers. The air is hazy with smoke. A large portrait of a man in a saffron wrap is visible in the back right, and a sign partly reads 'Nithyan'.2006-07-17Smoky indoor ritual scene during a yajna with a fire pit. Behind him, a white silk-draped backdrop frames two decorated deity vahana figures, one a white elephant-shaped mount garlanded with yellow, red and white flowers, and a silver-ornamented deity murti. Banana stalks, green leaves and a fan stand nearby, and brass offering trays sit in the smoke at right.2006-07-17A photograph of a fire ritual (homa or yagna) in an open pandal. In the foreground a man with long dark hair, wearing saffron-orange robes, a long beaded necklace and a bangle, extends a wooden ladle or stick over a smoking fire pit, with smoke rising. Behind him stand two other seated people partly visible. Ahead, two silver-gilt deity murtis of a standing and a seated form are draped in garlands of yellow, green and white flowers, with a dark portrait behind them. Piles of fruit and marigold and rose offerings, banana leaves and stalks, kalasha-style brass vessels, and white and pink flowers surround the scene. A printed sign on the backdrop partly reads Nithyanan.2006-07-17