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Night-time homa ritual in an open-air pandal decorated with strings of lights, flower garlands and colourful pillars. In the foreground a fire pit with ash and a brass vessel stands before a seated priest in white dhoti and a bare-chested sadhu with gold beads, who tends the fire. Behind them a figure in a turban and white shawl with a garland sits in a red and gold throne chair, and a man in a saffron robe with a turban sits in a cream armchair, both with white-smeared foreheads. Seated women in orange and red saris with flower garlands sit near oil lamps and a brass kalasha, while white-clad priests stand behind and a deity murti dressed with flower garlands is at left.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a homa fire ceremony in a temple hall decorated with string lights and a painted deity backdrop. A square fire pit with glowing flames is the central focus, surrounded by flower petals, brass pots and small oil lamps. A young priest in a bare chest and orange cloth with rudraksha mala sits at the pit, holding a ladle over a brass bowl. Another priest in white dhoti with a red-striped shawl and gold necklace holds a tray of offerings. Behind them, a man in white robes and a crown-like headwear sits on a red and gold throne, with a second man in saffron clothes to the right. Several women in red and orange saris sit to the left near a red-garlanded deity figure. Other white-clad devotees stand in the background.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15A night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space. In the foreground, a square fire pit with bright orange flames sits on a white platform strewn with petals. A bare-chested priest in a white dhoti kneels at the fire, holding a brass bowl, while a second man in white and a striped cloth stands beside him holding a small brass vessel. Behind them, a figure in white stands near a gilded red throne, and a man in saffron/orange robes sits in a white chair with his hands together. Brass lamps, a garlanded image and a row of women in red saris are at left, and a string of red lights glows in the background. Smoke drifts through the scene.2010-10-16Night-time homa at an open ashram stage. A large fire blazes in a black square fire pit with white stepped edges, scattered with marigold petals, small oil lamps, brass vessels and a copper dish. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a white-and-maroon border sits at the front, holding an offering over the flames. Behind him, a figure in an orange robe and white turban sits on a gold-framed red throne, and another figure in orange-saffron robes sits nearby. Several devotees in white and red clothes sit to the left, and a deity murti with garlands and a flower-decorated altar stands at the left edge. Red string lights and festive banners hang in the background.2010-10-16Night-time homa ritual before a large decorated Devi murti with multiple arms and a lion mount, adorned with white and red garlands. Several men in white dhoti-style clothing with bare upper bodies and beaded necklaces sit cross-legged around a square fire pit (homa kunda) with ritual vessels, a ladle, brass lamps and plates of fruit and offerings. Behind them a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure sits on an ornate red and gold throne. Colourful string lights and banners decorate the open courtyard.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa in progress beside a fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flower petals. A smoking fire rises from the square pit, and brass vessels and a plate of offerings sit at its edge. A priest in white dhoti with gold necklaces sits cross-legged at the pit, while a woman in orange and red sits nearby. Behind them, several deity murti figures with garlands and red-and-gold decorations stand in the background. On the right, a man in a white robe and turban, wearing gold necklaces, sits on a red and gold throne holding a plate, and an elderly sadhu with white hair and white body markings sits in orange robes. A standing attendant in white holds an offering, and red string lights glow behind.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in front of an illuminated deity murti of Durga with a lion mount, decorated with white flower and bead ornaments and garlands. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces, sit around a square fire pit with a bright flame, tending offerings, pouring from copper vessels and handling ritual implements. Plates of fruit, red chillies, kalasha pots and oil lamps surround them. Behind the priests, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure, and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies