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A photograph of a homa ritual performed outdoors before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, shown alongside a lion and a smaller deity figure. A square fire pit with rising smoke sits in front of the murti. Around it, seven men in white dhotis and white shawls sit on a mat, several wearing gold necklaces and bare-chested, passing bowls of offerings and tending the fire. Brass oil lamps stand at the right edge, with marigold and rose petals scattered on the fire platform. Behind them are orange-walled buildings, flags and a signboard reading the temple name in Telugu-style script, with a palm tree at upper left.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Outdoor photo of a homa ritual in front of a temple shrine with a pink building and a sign reading Sri Adi Eshwar Mandir. Several men in white dhotis sit on a white cloth around a square fire pit, some holding offerings and pointing toward the flames. Behind them, a decorated deity murti with a lion mount and a large ornate backdrop stands beside lit oil lamps and fruit offerings. Strings of marigold garlands and bunting hang overhead. One man seated at the center wears orange-gold cloth, rudraksha mala and a gold necklace, while others wear white and yellow. Red flowers and petals are scattered on the cloth.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor homa ritual beside a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount, adorned with silver-white ornaments and garlands. A square fire pit stands at center with smoke rising. Several men in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit around it, some with gold-coloured necklaces and yellow dhotis, holding brass trays of grains, flowers and offerings. A brass oil lamp stands at right. Behind them are orange-walled buildings, a signboard reading Sri Aadeeswar Temple, strings of pennants and bunting, and a palm tree at left.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa ritual performed outdoors before a decorated deity murti. Several men in white dhotis and white upper cloths sit in a row on white cloth around a dark square fire pit, with smoke rising from it. One priest bends forward pouring an offering into the fire, and others sit with brass vessels and plates of flowers, grains and fruit nearby. Behind them a large deity murti with a crown and a lion mount is adorned with white and gold decorations, and a red-and-gold throne holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange. Brass lamps, bananas, oranges and watermelon sit on the ground, with colorful cloth bundles and a red-and-gold ceremonial canopy overhead. Some people stand in the background near an orange building with signage.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOutdoor homa ceremony in an open courtyard with a square fire pit in the centre, smoke rising and flowers scattered on its white edges. Several men in plain white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit cross-legged around the pit, wearing gold-coloured and beaded necklaces; several hold brass plates and bowls of offerings and wood. A large seated figure in white at the centre tends the fire, and a brass oil lamp burns at the right edge beside a purple cloth. A woman in a white sari stands in the background among other white-clad attendants, and a few onlookers sit at the far left near a whitewashed wall and orange-painted building.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held outdoors in front of a temple-style structure with an orange wall and bunting. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls sit on the ground around a square black fire pit (homa kund) with brass vessels, plates of fruit, rice, flowers and coconut, and small bundles wrapped in red and green cloth. Behind them stands a decorated shrine with a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons and seated on a lion, flanked by smaller figures and a pink Ganesha murti with a garland. To the right, an ornate red-and-gold throne holds a framed portrait of a seated saffron-clad figure, with a palm-lined backdrop and a kalasha-topped pole nearby. Smoke rises from the fire area.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual under a temporary pandal with a tiled roof and hanging festive lights. At the centre, a bald priest in white dhoti and shawl pours from a brass vessel over a white fire-altar platform, with brass bells, a bowl and a small lamp set before him. Another white-clad priest kneels and assists beside a sprinkle of petals. Behind, women in red and maroon saris sit in rows, several wearing gold jewellery. Above the altar stand large decorated deity murti, adorned with white floral garlands and an umbrella canopy. Scattered wood sticks lie on the white cloth in the foreground.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor homa ceremony in a temple courtyard under a row of hanging green leaf garlands, with palm trees and stone deity sculptures behind. A square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform, scattered with marigold petals. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhoti and shawls, with ochre and white body markings and gold necklaces, sit around the fire and place offerings. A framed portrait of a woman in orange sits on a red and gold throne at left, and a seated figure in orange robes sits at the far right near a Shiva lingam. Devotees in white sit on mats in the background, and a kalasha and brass pots lie near the platform.2010-10-16 +1 copies