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A 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.

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Night 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 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 copiesA 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.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.2010-10-16A 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.2010-10-16Night 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 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time homa ritual before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white floral backdrop and a canopy above. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises his arm beside a square fire pit with a dark ash surface, brass pots, oil lamps and scattered flowers. Smoke rises through the frame. Seated to the right, a man in white with a yellow shawl and bead necklace sits on a red and gold throne-like chair holding a tray, while beside him a man in orange robes with white markings on his arms and forehead sits on a cushion. Several other seated figures in orange and red clothing face the fire, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16A night-time homa or yagna at a temple shrine decorated with red string lights and a large ornate deity murti of a goddess in the background. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and sacred thread kneels on the left with hands folded in prayer, while a standing priest in white robes and a shawl holds a lamp or ritual implement beside a square black homa pit lined with white marble and scattered flower petals. Brass bowls, a kalasha-like vessel, fruit and oil lamps sit on the platform. Several young boys in white and seated devotees with folded hands are visible, and a canopy with fringed edging hangs above the shrine.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.2010-10-16Night ritual inside a temple hall decorated with a goddess murti in an elaborate silver and white arch, with painted deity images and red-and-gold hangings. A small white-clad boy sits at left, and a row of seated young boys in white garments watches. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti kneels at a white puja platform with brass bowls and flower petals. A standing man in an orange robe and a woman in a white sari hold a brass plate, while a bare-chested sadhu with white sandalwood markings and rudraksha malas holds a lit oil lamp aloft. Other standing figures wear saffron and white. Marigold petals, a small dark mat, and a bowl of offerings lie on the floor, and strings of coloured lights glow in the background; this appears to be an aarti during a festival.2010-10-16