Tootfinder

I love how these pictures capture falling water from the pot, to the conch, and on to the idols; and the authentic auspiciousness the whole setup conveys.🐚💧🛕
Remastering of pictures I received of a #ritual bathing ("abhishaeka") of idols of #Hindu gods. The hands seen belong to the current Swamiji of #Udupi Krishna Matha, #India.
#photography #notMine

Had the best seat to view the entire 90 mins of the annual ritual bathing of the idols at Kaniyooru Matha #Udupi #India. I chose not to take my own pictures during the ritual so I can be there fully in the moment. I did take some pictures after 👇.
The pictures here are from the matha, just to give an idea.
Video: #Hindu #temple #ritual

A welcome mat for the new baby and the mom. The two will be seated here for a brief ritual before entering the home for the first time.
(May 11, 2026 #Bengaluru)
#tradition #India #birth #ritual #photography #amateur

Bathing idols in milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, coconut water looks, feels good but the idols need thorough cleaning after. And they've so many idols. 😲
These pictures are mine:
1. 700 year old idols, hand cleaned by the Swamiji
2. About 25% idols cleaned
4. Cleaning crew
#photography #amateur #sculpture #ritual

Today is the start of "chaathurmaasa" in the Hindu luni-solar calendar. It's a 4-month period with prescriptions and proscriptions on food to be eaten and rituals to be performed.
On the first day, in addition to fasting, some Waishnawa sects have a tradition of branding their body ("mudraadhaarane") with icons of Wishnu's chakra (disc) and shankha (conch) to show their commitment to the faith:
1. Preparing branding "irons" (at Puthige Matha)
2. Branding a devotee (at Krishna Matha)
3. Chakra (disc) on right arm (a few hours after branding)
4. Shankha (conch) on left arm
Video 👇
#Hindu #tradition #branding #ritual #India

Views of the brilliant gilded pavilion and the decorated altar at the end of the Adamaaru main service. The last pic is of the "uthsawa moorthi", the idol used away from the altar. 🛕
Humbly: Such clear, closeup pics of the ritual and the idols are quite rare. 🙇‍♂️
#photography #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #Hindu #ritual #art #sculpture #travel

Before putting away the main idol, the Swamiji performs on it a "kanakaabhishaeka", which is "bathing" the idol with gold (coins).
"kanaka" in Sanskrit means gold; "abhishaeka" means to bathe or to pour on, specifically as part of a ritual service.
#Hindu #ritual #gold #bathing #Sanskrit #video

Wednesday: Superb day trip to Mysuru #India to participate in "chaaturmaasa" observance by Kaniyooru Swamiji and junior Adamaaru Swamiji. 🙇‍♂️
Adamaaru service pics: As in other mathas, the altar starts simple and progressively enriches. Last pic (not mine) is of the main idol "the 4-armed Krishna subduing the Kaalinga serpent".
More pics 👇
#photography #FotoMontag #PhotoMonday #Hindu #ritual #art #sculpture #travel

At end of service:
1. The Swamiji holds up each idol for all to see (as someone announces the idol),
2. wraps the idol in silk cloth,
3. appreciates the idol and places it in a wooden box covered in deer skin [such a box is on the floor, in front of the Swamiji].
4. An assistant puts the boxes in a silver trunk.
#photography #amateur #photoMontag #FotoMonday #Hindu #ritual

Aug. 8: Lucky to attend the main service at Sripadaraja ("shree-paada-raaja") Matha, Bengaluru #India. The service is (must be) performed by the Swamiji himself.
1. An assistant prepares the altar
2. Swamiji places idols on the altar
3. Rituals enrich the altar
4. Service ends with the grand "aarathi" (showing flame).
#photography #amateur #photoMontag #FotoMonday #Hindu #ritual