View allAll Photos Tagged devotion
The first rays of the days sun slices through a darkened room where several monks sat chanting sacred scriptures in a monastery up in Northern India. Wafts of earthy incense filled the room in a light haze. The first hours of every day are spent in devotion chanting the various name of God in reverence.
Some more pictures from my trip to Salisbury Cathedral today to photograph the Reflection: Glass Exhibition
This is Devotion by Louis Thompson
I am hopelessly devoted to this beauty. I still love Devotion. This beauty is GORGEOUS. I love her coloring and I may take the plunge and darken her lipstick <3
"And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the upper chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother; and Elijah said: 'See, thy son liveth.' "
(1 Kings, 17, 23)
The first training exerciseof the new "Patriot" battery operated by IAF reservists
Photo by: Hagar Amibar
אימון של סוללת ה"פטריוט" עם אנשי המילואים של מערך ההגנה האווירית
צילום: הגר עמיבר
Art Institute signage:
Kapil Sharma
Indian, born 1979
Devotion, circa 2015
2015
Udaipur, Rajathan, India
Mixed media
This reproduction of the nij mandir, Shrinathji’s shrine, has been designated by Kapil Sharma, a contemporary graphic artist and a descendant of the master artist, Narayan Sharma (1860-1932/33). With traditional Pushtimarg motifs such as lotus flowers and decorated cows, the shrine demonstrates how a pichvai would be shown behind Shrinathji and the manner in which it would be altered according to the seasons.
The Shrinathji image within the shrine replicates the svarup’s image from an early 20th century painting of the year-end Pavitra festival by Narayan Sharma. This animated pichvai rotates with the changing of the seasons and darshans (viewings of the day). Drawing on centuries of tradition and Pushtimarg aesthetics, yet employing a contemporary language, the shrine brings to life the seasonal variation in pichvais seen in the [Art Institute] exhibition.
Throni, or ecclesiastical thrones, are a prominent feature in Eastern Orthodox Christian churches. These thrones are not just physical seats but hold deep symbolic significance, representing the authority of the clergy and the presence of divine authority.
Design and Craftsmanship:
Materials: Throni are traditionally crafted from wood, often intricately carved and adorned with gold leaf, icons, and religious motifs.
Artistry: The craftsmanship of a throni reflects the rich heritage of Byzantine art, showcasing detailed carvings of religious scenes, saints, and intricate patterns.
Structure: Typically, throni are elevated and placed in prominent positions within the church, signifying the elevated status of the bishop or abbot.
Symbolism:
Authority: The throni symbolizes the bishop’s or abbot’s authority within the church. It is a physical manifestation of their role as a spiritual leader.
Divine Presence: The throne also represents the throne of Christ or the Theotokos (Mother of God), symbolizing their presence and oversight within the sacred space.
Tradition: The design and use of throni follow ancient traditions, linking contemporary worship with the early Christian church.
Cultural and Religious Significance:
Liturgical Role: During important liturgical services, the bishop or abbot occupies the throni, leading the congregation in prayer and worship.
Historical Continuity: The use of throni connects the modern church with its historical roots, maintaining continuity with centuries-old practices.
Community Symbol: Beyond its religious importance, the throni is a symbol of unity and continuity for the church community, embodying their shared faith and traditions.
Photography Tips:
Lighting: Capture the intricate details of the carvings by photographing in well-lit conditions. Natural light can bring out the richness of the wood and gold leaf.
Angles: Highlight the throni’s elevation and prominence by shooting from a lower angle, looking upwards.
Context: Include elements of the surrounding church interior to provide context and emphasize the throni’s role within the larger sacred space.
Isis stands forever devoted to protecting the canopic jars, carrying the vital organs of young King Tutankhamen.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
The month of fasting
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar—that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2015, Ramadan begins at sundown on June 18th.
For more than a billion Muslims around the world—including some 8 million in North America—Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. Ramadan focuses on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).
Why this Month?
Muslims believe that during the month of Ramadan, Allah revealed the first verses of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. Around 610 A.D., a caravan trader named Muhammad took to wandering the desert near Mecca (in today's Saudi Arabia) while thinking about his faith. One night a voice called to him from the night sky. It was the angel Gabriel, who told Muhammad he had been chosen to receive the word of Allah. In the days that followed, Muhammad found himself speaking the verses that would be transcribed as the Qur'an.
At many mosques during Ramadan, about one thirtieth of the Qur'an is recited each night in prayers known as tarawih. In this way, by the end of the month the complete scripture will have been recited.
Fasting
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.
During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.
Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.
Eid al-Fitr
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2015 occurs on July 17. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.
A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.
I did a pregnancy photoshoot with Mayra and Justin a while back. I had met Mayra some time back at a local classic car show. Mayra is both a model and photographer.
Lee Ti Miew Shrine: One of the larger and more open Chinese shrines in Bangkok's Chinatown is the Li Thi Miew temple on Plabplachai Road, not far from Wat Kanikaphon. The temple features a large shed-like roof sheltering several shrines. On the roof, as in most Chinese temples, two dragons play with a pearl. In the compound next to the temple building is a large shrine to the goddess Kuan Ou.
Pallisree, Ultadanga
Experience Kolkata Durga Puja..... An Experience of A Lifetime!
October 15-19, 2018
Durga Puja - the ceremonial worship of the supremely radiant mother goddess, is one of the most important festivals, is celebrated every year in the month of October with much gaiety and grandeur in India and abroad, especially in Bengal, where the ten-armed goddess riding the lion and killing the Buffalo-Demon (Mahishasura) is worshiped with great passion and devotion. In Durga, the Gods bestowed their powers to co-create a beautiful goddess with ten arms, each carrying their most lethal weapon. The tableau of Durga also features her four children - Kartikeya, Ganesha, Saraswati and Lakshmi.
The huge temporary canopies - held by a framework of bamboo poles and draped with colourful fabric - that house the icons are called 'pandals'. Modern pandals in Kolkata are innovative, artistic and decorative at the same time, offering a visual spectacle for the numerous visitors who go 'pandal-hopping' during the four days of Durga Puja.
The three Osprey pairs at the river have been sitting eggs now for several weeks. Typically, three eggs are laid with an incubation period of 32-43 days. Both the male and female take on nesting duties, however the female sits more while the male brings food. I've tried not to disturb the most accessible of the nests during this period, although we do drive by almost daily and are accustomed to seeing just the top of the Osprey head. Last evening, the female was on the rim of the nest. The male soon joined her offering I'm not sure what little tidbit he had pulled from the adjacent creek feeding into the river. I believe we should see a change in activity in about another week and a half when the first of the eggs hatch.
View from Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia
"The name Kennesaw is derived from the Cherokee "Gah-nee-sah" meaning cemetery, or burial ground."
"The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, fought here between General William Tecumseh Sherman of the Union army and Joseph E. Johnston of the Confederate army, took place between June 18, 1864, and July 2, 1864. Sherman's army consisted of 100,000 men, 254 cannon and 35,000 horses, while Johnston's army had only 50,000 men and 187 cannons. Much of the battle took place not on Kennesaw Mountain itself, but on Little Kennesaw and the area to its south. 5,350 soldiers were killed during the battle."
"The Nine Emperor Gods Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, nine-emperor-gods-festival-celebrated-with-primarily in Southeast Asian countries such as Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia by the local Chinese communities" (Wikipedia). This is a vegetarian festival during which many worshippers engage in acts of self-mutilation.
Like to see the pictures as LARGE as your screen? Just click on this Slideshow : www.flickr.com/photos/reurinkjan/sets/72157630983897338/s...
Shaman Festival is a grand and festive occasion for local people to show their devotion and gratitude to the Mountain God.
In the beginning of Shaman festival Tibetan people made offering to the locals gods. They climbed to the mountain above the village, performed ritual dances and lighted sang (natural incense made from juniper), throwing lungta (“wind horse”, colorful papers, which represent good luck and life force) to the air, loudly chanting mantras and prayers.
blog.snowliontours.com/2012/06/shaman-festival-in-rebkong...
This male hooded merganser follows this mallard hen around everywhere. Either it is hopelessly lovestruck or perhaps he was raised by this hen as her own.
"How many problems, Mother, should I not present to you by name in this meeting! I entrust them all to you, because you know them best and understand them.
I entrust them to you in the place of the great consecration, from which one has a view not only of Poland but of the whole Church in the dimensions of countries and continents—the whole Church in your maternal heart.
I who am the first servant of the Church offer the whole Church to you and entrust it to you here with immense confidence, Mother. Amen."
– from Pope St John Paul II's Act of Consecration on 4 June 1979.
Today, 28 August is the feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, and this stained glass window is in Our Lady of the Rosary, the Polish parish in Baltimore, MD.
Come l’alba rosata annuncia il sorger del sole,
una sete ardente di Dio
precede nel nostro cuore
la sua visione gloriosa.
Râmakrishna
As the pink dawn announces the rising of the sun,
a burning thirst for God
precedes in our heart
the glorious vision of him.
Râmakrishna
Tiruvallikeni is noted for its colourful festivals throughout the year. The recitation of the 4,000 hymns of the Azhwars is a great tradition preserved in this temple for generations. During festival days, the place is given a new look and accompanied by various traditional rites. Triplicane is known for celebrations held throughout the year.