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Night-time homa at a temple shrine with a large white square fire pit where flames rise from the centre. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and gold necklace sits at left with hands pressed together in prayer, beside a brass tray and bowls. Another priest in white dhoti with a yellow cloth sits at right, facing the fire. Several young girls in maroon and red outfits sit around the altar. Behind them stand large white-and-silver decorated murti figures of a goddess with multiple arms holding weapons atop a lion, along with Ganesha and other deities under ornate parasols. Strings of coloured lights glow in the background, and flower petals are scattered on the altar.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time photograph of a homa fire ritual in an open courtyard decorated with string lights and a kalasha-style canopy. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a flaming torch or lamp above a square fire pit where a bright fire burns. Several seated priests in white clothing, some with rudraksha malas and ceremonial gold necklaces, sit around the fire pit with brass plates of flowers and offerings. Behind them is an elaborately decorated altar with large murtis of deities, including a figure with a sword and a multi-armed goddess figure, flanked by brass oil lamps and fruit offerings. Colourful festival banners hang from poles at the left and top.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual under a temporary pandal with a tiled roof and hanging festive lights. At the centre, a bald priest in white dhoti and shawl pours from a brass vessel over a white fire-altar platform, with brass bells, a bowl and a small lamp set before him. Another white-clad priest kneels and assists beside a sprinkle of petals. Behind, women in red and maroon saris sit in rows, several wearing gold jewellery. Above the altar stand large decorated deity murti, adorned with white floral garlands and an umbrella canopy. Scattered wood sticks lie on the white cloth in the foreground.2010-10-16Night ritual at a Chandi Homa outdoors under a canopy, with a fire pit blazing in the foreground. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at center holding up a lit aarti lamp toward the fire. Around the homa, about ten seated men in white dhotis and garlands, some with rudraksha malas, sit on mats with brass plates of offerings, fruit and flowers. To the right, a richly decorated deity murti of the goddess stands with a lion mount, surrounded by white floral decorations, lamps and fruit. Strings of coloured lights and hanging festoons decorate the canopy and posts. Smoke rises in the dark air.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual homa at a temple pavilion. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at left holding a flaming ladle over a square fire pit of blazing wood. Around the fire, about a dozen seated men in white dhotis and cloths, some wearing gold-bead necklaces, sit on mats with brass plates of offerings, fruits and flowers. To the right, large ornate deity murtis in white and silver decorations, including a figure with a crown and weapons, stand beside brass lamps and strings of fairy lights. Hanging banners and painted pillars frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA temple puja scene before a large multi-armed deity murti of Durga with a red-and-gold figure on a lion-like mount, flanked by additional goddess figures in white and red adornments. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl kneels at a low white altar, pouring offerings from a small vessel, with a small silver-and-red decorated image on a peetha. Oil lamps burn on brass stands, and a standing attendant in white dhoti holds a lit lamp. Three young girls in red and maroon saris sit to the right, with garlands of flowers and marigold petals scattered on the altar. Dried twigs and offering plates lie in front.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time outdoor puja at a shrine decorated with a Durga-style deity murti, its golden crown and garlanded figure with multiple arms and a lion beside it. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a lit flame aloft toward the deities. Around the raised platform, several seated men in white dhotis and shawls, some with beaded neckwear, sit with brass plates of fruit, flowers and offerings. Oil lamps burn on brass stands, and string lights and paper bunting hang in the background. A bearded seated man in white and a shaved-headed priest in white are visible among the group. Silver-decorated arches frame the murti. The scene reads as an aarti during a Chandi Homa-style worship.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an ashram shrine. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha-style necklace, holds a flaming lamp over the fire pit area near a white-tiled raised altar. Seated priests in white clothes and bead necklaces are at left and right, with a shaved-head devotee in white at the right edge. Behind the altar are large colourful deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion and a Ganesha figure, decorated with white and silver tinsel-like ornamentation, marigold garlands and an ornate umbrella. Strings of fairy lights, hanging coloured cloth decorations and a tiled floor with flower petals complete the scene. Several young boys in white sit in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight photo of a homa fire ritual at a temple-style setting decorated with string lights and a deity murti group with a lion and goddess figure on the left. Around a rectangular fire pit with an open flame, about seven men in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces perform the ritual, one pouring offerings. Plates of fruit, flowers, red kumkum-like powder and nuts sit on the cloth-covered tables. On a red throne with gold trim at the right, a framed portrait shows a seated figure in orange garments, labelled as a portrait without legible caption. Yellow and red bunting hangs overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual at an outdoor shrine decorated with fairy lights and colourful pennants. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a lit flame or aarti lamp toward a large deity murti adorned with white flower garlands, a lion mount and a crowned goddess figure with multiple arms. Seated devotees in white dhotis, some with rudraksha malas, surround a square fire pit with smoke rising, and brass plates of offerings, fruit and red flowers are arranged on the ground. A red and orange sofa-like seat with orange cloth stands at the right edge. a person is not visibly identifiable among the people present, so no candidate is named.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual before a large Devi murti with a lion and a multi-armed goddess figure framed by white floral arches and marigold garlands. A square fire pit with glowing embers sits at the centre, surrounded by seated priests in white dhotis and shawls, several wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and bare-chested. One priest kneels at the far left feeding offerings into the pit with a ladle, while others attend trays of fruit, puffed grains, nuts and dried red chillies. Behind them, a red velvet throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange. Strings of lights and colourful banners decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copies