December 16 2010 - Nithyanandapedia

Nithyanandapedia

December 16 2010

More like this

Open the gallery

Night outdoor homa at a brick fire pit lit by a flame. A standing priest in saffron-orange robe and a gold-bead necklace holds a brass bowl of offerings above the fire, with a visible tilak on his forehead. Two bare-chested, shaved-head priests in white dhotis with sacred threads sit beside the pit, one with hands folded in prayer and one tending the fire, surrounded by brass plates, a kalasha, banana leaves and kolam patterns. A brass oil lamp stands by the fire. Behind them, around 25 seated devotees in white, cream and orange saris and shawls watch under a dark sky with a tripod-mounted camera at left.

Outdoor night ritual at a brick-lined fire pit (homa/yagna) on a green mat. A bald man in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a sacred thread and sandalwood tilak on his forehead, stands holding a brass oil lamp (aarti) over the flames. A second bald priest in white clothes sits to the left beside offerings, a kalasha and banana leaves. Around 25 seated devotees in white, yellow and orange clothes sit on white plastic chairs facing the fire, some with hands folded in prayer. Rangoli floor designs and a tripod camera appear at the edges.

December 16 2010

December 16 2010

November 05 2010

Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with marigold petals, under a thatched canopy with banana leaves and hanging foliage. A standing man in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl with a mala necklace holds a silver plate of offerings over the pit with his right hand. Beside him a man in white with a yellow shawl carries a tray. Seated on the left, a bearded man in orange with a gold-beaded mala and a younger man in orange tend the fire, and several women in white and yellow sit behind them. A brass plate of sweets and oil lamps are on a cloth at right, and a young man in white and yellow sits at far right.

Outdoors at night, a bald man in saffron-orange robes with a gold-toned necklace stands at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame, pouring or offering from a bowl held in both hands. Behind him, a seated group of devotees in white, orange, and yellow clothing sits on white plastic chairs on green matting, several with hands folded in prayer. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands, banana leaves, and coloured rangoli designs surround the pit. A white-clad priest kneels at left beside brass vessels, appearing to assist the homa or yagna ritual.

July 11 2012

Night-time fire ritual under an open-sided pavilion hung with orange pennants. A bald man in orange robes with white markings on his forehead and arms holds a silver tray aloft above a square fire pit where flames rise. Men in white dhotis with rudraksha malas sit around the pit, some holding offering plates, and a standing man in orange watches. A red and gold throne stands at left, and a golden ceremonial pole rises at right. Smoke fills the air and a few onlookers are visible at the edges.

Night-time homa at an outdoor fire pit lined with red brick and strewn with yellow flower petals. A bald man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a shaved head, tripundra markings and a beaded necklace, stands bent forward holding a brass bowl at the edge of the flames. Beside him a seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a shaved head and sandalwood markings, sits on a mat with a brass vessel and banana leaves. A tall brass oil lamp stands by the fire. Behind them about twenty seated devotees sit on white chairs and mats in orange, maroon, yellow and white garments, some with hands in anjali, and a tripod-mounted camera stands at left.

A photograph of an outdoor homa ceremony under a canopy decorated with orange, green and blue festoons and hanging leaves. A man in orange robes and an orange head wrap, with a long gold-toned necklace, stands holding a silver tray with a lit flame. Seated around a black square fire pit with white edging, marigold petals and brass vessels are several people in orange and saffron clothing with hands folded in prayer, and a man in white with a yellow shawl kneels in front. A framed portrait of a figure in orange with a garland stands on the left, and oil lamps and a brass bell are in the foreground.

February 11 2007