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A homa ritual is performed before a shrine decorated with deity murtis under a fringed canopy and string lights. Smoke rises from a square fire pit on a white base strewn with flower petals. A man in white dhoti and gold necklace sits cross-legged at right, extending his hand toward the fire, with a brass bowl beside him. A standing priest at left, wearing a white dhoti and holding a silver plate, offers materials into the fire. Other white-clad priests stand behind, and brass lamps and a kalasha sit near the shrine.

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Dim temple interior during a fire ritual. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold chain holds an object over a dark stone platform where smoke rises. Behind him, another priest in white stands near a garlanded deity murti and multiple statues under an ornate canopy, with string lights along the walls. In the foreground, a seated man in white dhoti and shawl wears a gold mala, glasses and a bare upper body, extending his hand over the platform. Brass bowls, a small oil lamp and scattered flower petals sit on the white step. The scene suggests a homa or puja, with the figures in ritual white clothing.2010-10-16A 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.2010-10-16Night photo of a homa ritual at an outdoor pavilion. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border stands at a fire pit, pouring offerings from a silver plate onto the flames, with smoke rising. Behind him is a large deity murti with a crown and a decorated silver arch, flanked by smaller figures and ornamented altar backdrops. Brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, fruit and flower offerings sit on the stone platform. Two other white-clad attendants stand to the left, with strings of red and white lights in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph at an ashram temple beside a large white and gold deity display with several goddess murtis dressed in red and silver, one with a crown and trident-like emblems. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a black stone yoni-peetha platform on white steps, pouring liquid from a metal vessel onto the stone, while other priests and women in red and maroon saris stand or sit around. Brass bowls, oil lamps, a bell, flower petals and red lights frame the scene. A bald priest in white with a gold necklace holds an offering on the right. A tall striped pillar and a cloth canopy are visible.2010-10-16Photograph of a night homa ritual before a large deity murti decorated with white floral arches and an umbrella canopy. A bald priest in white dhoti with red border and gold necklaces stands at left holding a silver tray, while a second white-clad priest beside him holds a brass bowl. Smoke rises from a fire pit in the foreground, and oil lamps burn near the central deity. Another figure in white stands behind the fire pit, and red-and-white lights line the background. Several other deity figures are arranged beside the central murti.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph in a decorated temple hall lit by string lights. Three men in white dhotis are at a white-and-black stone platform strewn with yellow and orange petals. The kneeling man on the left in a white dhoti and gold necklace pours from a vessel. A bald man in white stands behind him holding a container aloft. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a gold necklace and bangle holds a brass lamp over the platform. Women in red and maroon saris sit in the background. Behind them a large decorated backdrop shows a goddess murti with a lion and silver ornamentation under a canopy. Brass bowls, a bell and kalasha vessels sit on the floor. This appears to be an abhishekam or puja at a deity murti.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 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 20102010-10-16