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Night-time homa ceremony in a covered hall with a fire pit lined with white stone in the foreground, smoke rising from it. Behind is a large Devi murti with many arms and a lion mount, under a white decorative canopy, with a Ganesha figure at left and smaller deity murtis and flower garlands around. Several young boys in white dhotis sit in rows along the altar. A man in a white garment and turban stands at right, hands folded, near a red and gold throne with string lights and garlands behind it. A tall elderly sadhu with white hair, tonsured forehead markings, rudraksha mala, and an orange-brown wrap stands at far right holding a tray. Kalasha pots and brass vessels sit on the platform with flower petals scattered around.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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 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 copiesA 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.2010-10-16A 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi homa at night inside a decorated temple pandal. A white-clad priest kneels before a square white fire pit with a black slab, while offering items and brass vessels sit on its steps. Behind, a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands under a white ornate arch, flanked by lamps. A bearded sannyasi with a turban and white forehead and arm markings, wearing rust-orange robes, raises his hands in front of a tray. Another white-turbaned man holds a silver plate. Several boys in white sit near the murtis. Strings of fairy lights, a brass oil lamp and scattered petals complete the scene.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesPhotograph 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time homa ceremony in front of a large white and silver goddess murti of Durga riding a lion, with garlands of red flowers. In the foreground a bare-chested man in a white dhoti with a white shawl leans over a square fire pit with a dark centre, smoke rising, scattered flower petals on the white stone rim. Behind him a man in a white dhoti and shawl and a young boy in white sit before the murtis; a man in white stands at a microphone, and a figure in white with a yellow-orange head wrap holds an object. A man in saffron robes stands at right beside an empty red and gold throne, and strings of lights and a flag banner decorate the background. Brass lamps and bowls sit on the stone in front.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor ashram pandal. A large white-and-silver decorated frame surrounds a Devi murti with multiple arms, red-and-white garlands and a lion mount beside her. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti kneels before a square homa fire pit emitting smoke, with brass bowls, a kalasha and marigold petals on the white platform. Behind, a seated group of young boys in white garments sits on the floor, and a man in white holds a microphone while standing near a red-and-gold throne. On the right, an ascetic in saffron-orange robes with a white-bearded face and rudraksha mala holds a brass tray. Strings of lights and a hanging lantern decorate the backdrop.2010-10-16 +1 copies