Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a Chandi Homa ceremony under a canopy decorated with banana leaves and bamboo poles. In the foreground, several seated devotees and sannyasis wear saffron-orange robes, some with dark maroon borders, while a shaved-headed man in orange sits at left. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti of the goddess Durga stands with a trident-like weapon raised, flanked by two smaller female figures, with a lion at her base. Brass vessels, a decorated kalasha, flowers, and a plate of rice grains sit on the altar in front. Red and white striped cloth covers the platform.

More like this

Open the gallery
September 26 20092009-09-26A Chandi homa in an open-air ashram setting. A large painted deity murti of a goddess riding a lion stands in the centre, flanked by two smaller female figures, with a decorated white arch behind her. Five people in saffron/orange robes sit or stand before it. A standing figure on the left holds a silver plate and gestures toward the deity, while seated devotees in saffron cloth sit cross-legged with offerings, brass lamps and oil lamps lit before them. Banana leaves and green garlands hang around the shrine, and a decorated ceremonial umbrella stands at the right.2009-09-26Photograph of a Chandi Homa puja at night before an elaborate deity murti of Durga, seated on a lion or tiger mount with a crown and multiple arms, flanked by two smaller female figures in white and red garments. Banana leaves frame the altar, and string lights glow on the back wall. Several seated men in saffron-orange robes face the altar with their backs to the camera, and a row of people in white sit at the front edge. Offering plates, a kalasha, and small oil lamps rest on the platform. Plainly this is a ritual observance, but the image alone does not establish the specific event name.2009-09-26 +1 copiesOutdoor puja before a large decorated deity murti of the goddess Durga, shown with multiple arms and a lion mount, framed by a white and blue arched backdrop and banana leaves. Four sannyasis in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged in the foreground facing the deity, with brass lamps, flower offerings and fruit plates before them. A standing priest in orange robes at left holds a tray. Strings of leaves and hanging decorations overhead, with a small shivalinga figure visible at left.2009-09-26 +1 copiesOctober 02 20142014-10-02October 02 20142014-10-02A photograph of a homa ritual in an open ashram setting. Several people in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged on a raised platform before a deity murti surrounded by smoke from the fire. A man in saffron with a shaved head and a visible orange head wrap is extending his arm toward the offerings. Other saffron-clad figures, including women with long dark hair, sit in front, and white-clad helpers in yellow sashes sit to the left beside microphones and open books. Banana leaves frame the scene, and a bowl of grains, flowers and burnt offerings lies on the platform. Behind, a decorated altar holds additional deity figures and a red-and-gold banner hangs at the edge. The visible persons total about 15 with the seated group and helpers, and the orange-robed man with the head wrap is seated near the fire.2009-09-25October 02 20142014-10-02A photograph of a lamp-lit ritual inside a decorated tent, with a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion at its base, surrounded by marigold garlands, banana leaves and string lights. Several seated participants in saffron-orange robes sit before a low altar with brass bowls and offerings, while a woman in orange at the centre gestures during the rite. Two figures in white with yellow shawls sit in the foreground. A framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure hangs at right, garlanded. The setting suggests a chandi homa puja.2009-09-25 +1 copiesA Navaratri puja in an open-air pavilion with a striped red-and-white wall behind. On the right, a large decorated deity murti of the Goddess, with garlands of marigold and white flowers, stands on a red-draped platform. A priest in a saffron-orange cloth and a red dhoti stands at a raised altar before the murti, with a second assistant in white beside him. On the left, a seated figure in saffron robes with a garland and a red shawl sits in an orange chair; a person in orange cloth is also seated near him. About two dozen women and girls in orange saris and saffron shawls sit on the floor in rows facing the altar, many with hair in buns. Banana leaves, flowers and brass vessels surround the platform.2014-10-02October 03 20142014-10-03Outdoor Navaratri puja at an open-sided pavilion. A large deity murti in white and red with garlands sits on a raised altar at the back, flanked by smaller figures. A man in a white dhoti and bare upper body beats a small drum before it. In the centre, a man in orange robes sits cross-legged at a stepped altar and performs worship. Many young girls and women in orange and saffron clothing sit on the floor in rows, some with white forehead markings and flower-decked hair, while a woman in orange leans forward to help them. A seated figure in orange with a mala and a large orange chair appears on a platform at left; another woman in red stands nearby. Strings of bunting and a small kalasha-like shrine decorate the area, with trees beyond.2014-10-02