July 01 2009 - Nithyanandapedia

Nithyanandapedia

July 01 2009

More like this

Open the gallery

July 01 2009

A priest in a rust-red dhoti with a golden-bordered shawl performs aarti with a lit oil lamp before a seated deity murti in a golden throne. The murti wears a gold crown, a green and orange silk garment, and is draped in garlands of red, white, yellow and green flowers. A ceremonial sword or staff rests against its shoulder. A rudraksha mala hangs on the priest's chest. A maroon curtain forms the backdrop, with a small attendant partly visible at the left edge, hands folded in prayer. Flames and smoke rise from the lamp.

A figure in a flowing saffron-orange garment with a gold border stands at left, holding a lit camphor flame on a brass plate toward a deity murti pair decorated with flower garlands. The seated figures are richly adorned with layered necklaces and crowns, one in a red and gold garment and the other in a red-and-green saree. Behind them the shrine is framed with yellow and red marigold garlands, white jasmine strands and a decorated arched backdrop. A brass kalasha-style vessel and floral offerings sit at the base. The figure performing aarti has long dark curly hair and bare arms, and the scene is lit warmly.

A photograph of a ritual stage in an indoor hall, with a golden mountain-like backdrop against a blue painted wall. Two young men in saffron-orange robes and orange shawls, wearing marigold garlands, sit cross-legged on the left of a raised platform. In the centre is a deity murti of a seated couple draped in a green cloth and a yellow canopy, garlanded with red and white flower strings, with a golden trident hanging on the right. Brass oil lamps, bowls of offerings, fruit and white items are arranged on a tiered white altar. Seated devotees in the foreground, some with shaved heads, face the stage. A green light glows behind the group, and the scene suggests a homa ritual.

A man in orange saffron robes performs an aarti with a flaming lamp before a Shiva lingam decorated with red, yellow and white flower garlands. Behind the lingam stand two deity murtis of crowned figures with ornate jewellery and garlands. Brass oil lamps flank the altar, and a copper-red cloth lies draped at the base. Stone pillars with carved details frame the open shrine at night, and offerings sit on a plate in front of the lingam.

Photograph inside a temple shrine at night. A standing priest in an orange robe and orange shawl holds a flaming lamp toward a gilded deity murti of a seated couple, one with a red turban and crown, the other wearing a crown and gold armour. Garlands of yellow marigolds and red flowers frame the murti. Below, a white marble seated figure with raised hand and a portrait in orange cloth sit on a draped table. Brass lamps stand on both sides. A flame lit by the priest, and marigold petals lie on the floor. Possibly a puja or aarti.

2010-01-02 +1 copies

Night ritual at an outdoor shrine with a grey stone canopy and red velvet side drapes. A man with long dark hair and an orange robe holds a flaming camphor tray toward a stone sculpture of a seated deity pair garlanded in red, orange and white flowers, with a crown and raised hand. In front, a sacred fire burns on a low stone platform covered in turquoise cloth, flanked by brass oil lamps. Two people in white and saffron sit with hands folded at the left edge, and another person in orange is at the bottom edge.

July 01 2009

September 29 2012

Evening outdoor ritual photograph. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in orange and saffron robes, with a rudraksha-style mala and gold bangle, performs aarti with a large flame over an offering tray and brass lamps. Behind him two ornately decorated deity murtis stand with yellow and red garlands, gold crowns and jewelled necklaces, one with an orange shawl. Devotees in white shirts and saris stand behind a white barrier, and a golden peetha/throne with floral decoration stands at the back.

Night-time puja at an open stone pavilion with grey carved pillars and strings of small lights overhead. In the foreground, a man in saffron-orange robes and a patterned conical hat sits cross-legged before a brass tray of offerings, pink lotus, a small kalasha and bowls. Beside him, a white-cloth-draped altar holds a deity murti decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands, a gold necklace and a white turban-like head covering. Behind it, large painted deity figures wear red and green garments, jewelled necklaces and a crown-like headdress, with a red curtain at the right edge. The priest is seated and reading or chanting from loose papers, and brass lamps and vessels stand on the altar.

A photograph of a temple-style ritual at a deity shrine. A central man with a shaved head, wire-rimmed glasses, rudraksha mala and a reddish-brown dhoti and shawl performs an aarti with a lamp and a bell-like implement in front of a decorated deity murti. The murti is draped with white and yellow flower garlands and wears gold ornaments, set in a gilded arched shrine with a pink sequined base. Two attendants in orange-saffron turbans and robes sit nearby; the one at left has his hands folded in prayer. Brass vessels, green leaves and a small offering stand on the yellow platform in front. Behind them, ornate flower-covered thrones are visible.