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A photograph of a homa ritual at night in a covered pandal, with smoke rising from a square fire pit in the foreground. Behind it stands a large deity murti, a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white flower garlands and a white canopy overhead, flanked by additional painted and decorated figures. A man in white dhoti and shawl holds a silver vessel and stands at left, with other priests in white dhoti seated along the altar, some holding offerings. Brass pots, lamps and scattered flower petals fill the altar. Strings of lights and colourful hangings decorate the background. Several white-clad men and boys sit around the homa area.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual inside a decorated temple hall with a large deity murti of a goddess, surrounded by smaller painted clay-style figures and white floral halo arches. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold garland kneels beside a black square fire pit (homa kunda) on a white stepped platform, with flower petals and brass vessels nearby, and brass oil lamps and bells on the left. A child in white sits near the left lamp. Standing at right, a man in saffron robes with a bare torso and white body markings holds his hands in añjali, while another standing figure in white wears a yellow turban and holds a tray. Red and gold hangings and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held before a large Durga deity murti with a white floral halo, a lion mount, and a white parasol canopy overhead. A seated priest in white clothes and a flower garland kneels at a square fire pit (homa kund) with offerings and brass vessels on its white stone edge. Smoke rises through the hall. Behind, a shaved-headed elderly man with white body markings and a rudraksha mala stands, while a man in a yellow turban and white garments stands near a red and gold throne. Several boys and men in white sit on the floor, and decorative festive bunting and string lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ritual in a decorated pandal lit with red fairy lights. A white-clad priest with a shaved head kneels at a square fire pit, tending it, while another white-clad priest sits beside him. Behind the pit stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a red-and-gold figure, flanked by smaller murtis, ornate white floral arches and a gold-fringed canopy. Women in orange and red saris and devotees in saffron sit on the platform. At right, a figure in a white turban and white dhoti sits on an ornate red-cushioned throne, with attendants in saffron and orange around him. Brass vessels, a silver kalasha-style pot, bowls of fruit, lit oil lamps, incense smoke and a folded white cloth lie in the foreground.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a homa or puja at a temple pavilion with a corrugated metal roof. A large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, draped in white and red garlands, stands behind a fire pit with rising smoke and brass vessels. Priests in white dhotis and shawls perform rites: a standing priest at left swings a metal vessel, and a seated priest at lower right bends over the fire pit. A man in an orange turban and white clothing stands at right near a red-cushioned seat, and young boys in white sit in front. Strings of coloured lights and a white ceremonial umbrella frame the scene. Marigold petals cover the floor. No figure is clearly identifiable as a person.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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-time photograph inside a decorated temple hall during a Chandi homa. In the centre, a square fire pit lined with white stone sits on a cloth-covered floor scattered with flower petals, with brass vessels and oil lamps nearby. A young man in white ritual cloth and a rudraksha-style necklace kneels at the pit. Behind, a standing man in white with a saffron-coloured cloth over the shoulder holds a brass plate, and a man in saffron robes stands beside him. On the right, a bearded sadhu in orange-red cloth with white forehead markings and a mala stands with his arms folded. Behind them is a large deity murti with a lion, framed by white decorative arches and garlands, with several children in white seated near the altar.2010-10-16Photograph of a nighttime homa ceremony before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, in a decorated hall with hanging lights and smoke rising. A man in white dhoti and white shirt kneels at a square fire pit, tending it with offerings, with brass vessels, lamps and flower petals on the white platform. To the right, a man in white robes and a white turban holds a plate of offerings. Beside him stands an older sadhu with a white beard, bare upper body, white markings on his arms, and a red-orange cloth wrapped around his waist. Behind them a red throne with gold trim sits empty, and other white-clad devotees are seated in the background.2010-10-16A night-time ritual at a temple in Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam with a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess framed by white ornate arches, a golden canopy overhead, and red string lights. In front, a fire pit is lit and several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit at the homa platform, one tending the fire. Women in orange and red saris sit nearby. Brass vessels, a plate of fruit, bundled sticks and a small oil lamp lie on the orange mat. On the right, a man in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne with a seated attendant beside him, and a standing man in white and orange holds a book. A figure in white on the left stands in the background.2010-10-16A photograph of a Chandi Homa-style puja inside a decorated temple hall at night, with red and white fairy lights and orange hangings. A large white-and-gold framed deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands at the back, flanked by smaller painted and clay figures, and a red-and-gold umbrella hangs above. In the foreground, shaven-headed priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, wearing gold necklaces and vibhuti marks, sit before a black-topped white altar with brass bowls, a bell, flowers and a kalasha, performing the ritual. Several women in red and maroon saris sit nearby, and more devotees are seated in the background. Smoke rises from the ritual area.2010-10-16Indoor temple ritual before a large white-and-silver decorated shrine holding goddess murtis, including a multi-armed deity seated on a lion. Hanging string lights and red decorations surround the space. A bearded sadhu with white-painted forehead and body, wearing orange-red dhoti and rudraksha-style beads, raises one arm over a brass tray of offerings. Beside him a man in white ritual cloth with a white turban holds a tray. A devotee in white dhoti with garlands kneels at a white marble homa or puja platform scattered with petals and brass vessels, while several seated people in white clothes sit near lamps. Flower petals and incense sticks lie on the floor.2010-10-16