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A night-time homa ritual before a decorated goddess murti with smoke rising from a square white fire pit strewn with flower petals. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left holding a bowl and a second priest in white stands behind the pit, raising a silver vessel. A bald man in white dhoti with a red border and a gold necklace sits cross-legged at right near the pit, his hands together. Women in red and orange saris sit behind, and an oil lamp burns on the floor. Background shows strings of lights and ornate silver and white decorations around the murti. No clearly identifiable a person is visible.

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A night homa at a temple, with a white square fire pit filled with dark ash or embers and smoke rising. A priest in a white dhoti with red-bordered cloth pours an offering from a silver vessel into the pit, while another priest in white holds a lamp and a bowl near the pit's edge. A third man in a white dhoti with a yellow waistcloth sits cross-legged on the right, hands together. Behind them stands a decorated deity murti with a silver-white arched backdrop, flanked by women in red and orange saris and a pale kalasha-like figure, with red and gold lights strung in the background.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a homa ritual at a square white fire pit with a dark central well, sprinkled with flower petals and surrounded by a dotted line of petals. Two priests in white dhotis stand and sit at the altar: a standing priest on the left holds a metal vessel and a ladle-like implement over the pit, while a second priest on the right, shirtless and wearing gold chains, pours from a bowl. A third man sits cross-legged in the foreground feeding sticks or twigs. Smoke rises from the pit. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti with silver ornamentation and a white arch stands beneath a canopy with a fringed top, flanked by smaller figures, with lit oil lamps and a string of red lights in the background. Women in red and orange saris sit to the right watching the ritual.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in progress beside a decorated shrine. A square white fire pit sits at centre with a dark ash-covered base and scattered flower petals on its steps. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at left, holding a silver vessel and pouring or offering toward the fire, while another priest in white at left edge pours with his arm extended. A seated man in white dhoti with a yellow cloth at the waist feeds sticks into the fire pit. Behind them, two women in orange and red saris sit on a mat. The backdrop shows large framed deity murti of goddess forms decorated with white and silver ornaments, a fringed canopy, and strings of red fairy lights. Smoke rises through the frame, and brass lamps and kalasha-style vessels sit on the mat in front. A figure in white robes stands at far right reading from a book.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight homa at a fire pit during Navaratri celebrations. Two priests in white dhotis and shawls stand and kneel at a square white fire pit with a dark central opening, one pouring from a silver vessel and another holding a ritual vessel over it. A smoky haze rises from the pit, and flower petals and dried sticks lie on its raised base. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti with silver ornaments and a canopy stands among red and white lights. Several women in orange and red saris sit on mats at right, and an oil lamp burns nearby. The scene suggests a homa or yagna ritual.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa at a fire pit before a large white-and-silver Devi murti with a lion mount. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red border and gold necklace stands at center, raising his hand over the flames while a kneeling priest in white holds a silver bowl. Smoke rises across the frame. Women in red and orange saris sit in rows on the right, and red and white flower garlands decorate the murti. Marigold petals scatter the stone platform, with brass lamps, a bell and fruit offerings in front. String lights glow behind the scene.2010-10-16Night-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 photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna pit. Two shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and gold necklaces kneel and stand at a white stone fire pit (kunda) with a dark square central opening, one pouring liquid from a metal vessel. Behind them, women in red and maroon saris and sitting devotees gather beneath strings of red fairy lights. On the right, a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a silver-and-white decorated arch and an umbrella canopy is set up. Brass lamps, bells, a kalasha-style pot and flower petals surround the fire pit on a white cloth.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flowers, with thick smoke rising. A standing priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth and gold necklaces lifts a silver vessel and a small offering above his head. A seated priest in white kneels at left beside a brass bell, a small lamp and offerings, and a second priest in white is at the right edge. Behind the fire pit a large white-and-silver deity murti with a lion (vahana) stands among sparkling string lights, and seated women in red and orange saris face the fire. Marigold garlands hang on the murti.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph in a decorated temple hall lit by string lights. Three men in white dhotis are at a white-and-black stone platform strewn with yellow and orange petals. The kneeling man on the left in a white dhoti and gold necklace pours from a vessel. A bald man in white stands behind him holding a container aloft. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a gold necklace and bangle holds a brass lamp over the platform. Women in red and maroon saris sit in the background. Behind them a large decorated backdrop shows a goddess murti with a lion and silver ornamentation under a canopy. Brass bowls, a bell and kalasha vessels sit on the floor. This appears to be an abhishekam or puja at a deity murti.2010-10-16Night ritual at a Chandi Homa: a square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform strewn with petals, with brass vessels, a bell, a spoon and a kalasha-like pot in front. Behind it a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms stands framed by ornate white decorative arches, with lamps and rows of murtis beside her. A man in white dhoti with bare chest and tilak holds a vessel at left, another in white stands pouring offerings, and a seated man in white with garland and a seated man in saffron robes sit at right. A figure in a white robe and white turban sits on a red and gold throne-like chair, while a bearded elder in saffron robes with white markings on his arms sits at right. Strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16A night homa in progress before a large white deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with garlands and a lit lamp beside her. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a sacred thread and gold necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a silver vessel aloft while another priest kneels at left beside brass bells, a kalasha and offering trays. Smoke rises from the square pit of flowers and fire. Seated devotees in red and orange clothing sit in the background beneath strings of red lights. A man in glasses and white at the right edge watches the ritual.2010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph inside a decorated hall with a large elaborate deity murti of a goddess with a crown, lion mount and silver halo at left, and small figures seated near it. A man in white dhoti with white ash on his body sits cross-legged before a black stone yajna or homa fire pit strewn with petals and flanked by brass vessels and oil lamps. Standing at right, a man in orange robe and a bare-chested man in red-brown dhoti with white markings hold their palms together in prayer near a throne-like seat. A bearded man in white with an orange turban stands holding a silver tray. Smoke rises and strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16