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Night-time photograph of a homa ritual under a temporary pandal. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with gold necklace sits at a white fire pit with a dark square hearth, next to brass vessels and small oil lamps. A second priest in white raises a white ceremonial umbrella above the scene. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with garlands, flanked by smaller figures and draped women in red and maroon saris. To the right, a figure in white with a turban sits on an ornate red and gold throne, while bearded sadhus in saffron and orange robes sit nearby. Strings of lights, hanging tassels and a banner decorate the hall.

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Night-time ritual photograph of a homa at a shrine decorated for a goddess. Three priests in white dhotis and shawls, with rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, perform the fire ritual over a white stone fire pit where a flame burns. The standing priest pours from a brass vessel, a kneeling priest tends the fire with a ladle, and another kneeling priest at left holds a brass pot. Behind them, several women in red and orange saris sit in a row. The backdrop holds a large white-framed deity murti with a multi-armed goddess figure and a lion mount, flanked by other painted and ornamented images, a fringed canopy, string lights and red and orange decorations. Marigold petals are scattered around the fire pit.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in a decorated hall. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and sacred markings pours an offering from a vessel over a white square fire pit where a dark fire burns, with brass bowls, a ghee vessel and flower petals around it. Behind the pit stands a large ornate deity murti framed by a silver arch, surrounded by people in orange and saffron robes. On the right, a figure in white is seated on a red and gold throne, with a sannyasi in orange robes and white-streaked forehead seated beside him. Strings of red lights and hanging fabric decorate the background. Smoke fills the air.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa or yagna ritual before a large decorated deity murti with a golden crown and multiple arms, flanked by smaller figures. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha-style bead necklace, holds a lit lamp or flame aloft at left. Seated devotees in white clothes at right and centre have their hands folded. In front is a white marble-edged square fire pit with a dark central opening, scattered flower petals, brass vessels, a kalasha, fruit and offerings. Strings of red fairy lights and a fringed canopy frame the scene, with smoke rising in the air.2010-10-16Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an ashram shrine. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha-style necklace, holds a flaming lamp over the fire pit area near a white-tiled raised altar. Seated priests in white clothes and bead necklaces are at left and right, with a shaved-head devotee in white at the right edge. Behind the altar are large colourful deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion and a Ganesha figure, decorated with white and silver tinsel-like ornamentation, marigold garlands and an ornate umbrella. Strings of fairy lights, hanging coloured cloth decorations and a tiled floor with flower petals complete the scene. Several young boys in white sit in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A night-time homa ritual beside a deity shrine under a sheltered open courtyard. In the foreground, a bare-chested man with a shaved head and a gold-coloured necklace sits on a white cloth. A white-clad priest stands at left holding a flaming vessel or torch aloft. Boys in white dhotis and kurtas sit cross-legged around a black square fire pit or yagna kunda on a white marble platform, with brass plates and vessels of offerings, fruit and flower petals. Behind the pit, large white-and-silver decorated deity murtis under a white fringed umbrella, one adorned with red garlands. Strings of coloured lights and hanging lanterns decorate the scene. Several other white-clad people are visible in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A 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.2010-10-16A night-time ritual in a decorated open pavilion with a large clay deity murti of a goddess riding a lion, adorned with white and silver decorations and flower garlands, with brass oil lamps lit in front. On the left, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti sits cross-legged before a square fire pit or homa altar with flower petals scattered around it. Behind him, several seated people in white and a standing man in white with a turban hold trays and make gestures. On the right, two standing men in saffron and orange-red robes, one with a bare chest and white body markings, join palms in reverence beside an empty cushioned chair. Hanging red and green pennants, flower decorations and twinkling lights frame the scene, with smoke rising in the background.2010-10-16