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A night-time homa at a fire pit lined with brick, with a glowing fire in the centre. Around it sit about a dozen men in white dhotis and white shawls, many wearing gold-coloured necklaces and shaved heads, some pouring offerings, holding bowls and plates of flowers, fruit and grain. Behind them stands a large deity murti of Durga with a lion, a pink Ganesha figure, a silver backdrop and an oil lamp, decorated with garlands, while strings of coloured lights and hanging festival decorations light the courtyard. A central seated figure in white and gold-trimmed clothing sits near the fire, appearing to lead the rite as an officiating priest. Ritual offerings of flowers and fruit lie on brass plates.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a Chandi Homa performed outdoors before a large deity murti of Devi, a goddess with multiple arms and red garland, beside a smaller Ganesha figure and a lion mount. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with rudraksha or gold necklaces sit cross-legged around a square brick fire pit glowing with flames. One priest on the left feeds offerings into the fire, while others hold brass plates of grains, flowers and vegetables and a brass kalasha-style vessel. Brass oil lamps and marigold garlands surround the altar. Strings of coloured lights and hanging decorations fill the background under a night sky.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a Chandi Homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard decorated with string lights and tall ceremonial poles. In the foreground a rectangular stone fire pit burns brightly while a barebodied priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left holding a flaming ladle or lamp toward the fire. Around the pit, several men in white dhotis and bare torsos sit on the ground, some with folded hands and some with ritual vessels of offerings, flowers and grains. Behind them a large white-and-red decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and weapons is surrounded by smaller statues of an elephant-headed deity and other figures, with brass oil lamps lit before the altar. A standing man in white clothing is visible in the background near the lights.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a decorated pandal with string lights. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at centre-left holding a lit lamp (aarti) toward a large deity murti of a goddess with a red garland, many arms and weapons, beside a lion or tiger mount. Seated devotees in white clothes and beaded necklaces surround a square fire pit (homa/yagna) with brass vessels, fruit, flower petals and offerings. A pink Ganesha figure and additional decorated murtis stand nearby, with a brass lamp stand at right. Chandi Homa is the album name; the fire pit and aarti are visible.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight-time homa at an outdoor shrine decorated with strings of lights and cloth banners. A square brick fire pit with a bright flame sits at the centre of a white-tiled platform strewn with red and orange flower petals. Around it sit about ten men in white dhotis and white shawls with striped borders, wearing gold-coloured beaded necklaces and rudraksha-style malas; several hold brass plates of offerings, bowls of grains, and a cut vegetable platter. To the right, a large clay deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and red garlands stands beside a golden-maned lion, with a smaller Ganesha figure and additional murtis behind them. Brass oil lamps and a microphone stand are on the ground. Several seated men have shaved heads and are in white ritual clothing; one bare-chested seated figure may be among them.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a Chandi Homa fire ritual in an open courtyard lit by a bright lamp. A square fire pit with a flame sits at centre, surrounded by seated priests in white dhotis and shawls. Several priests with shaved heads and white garments pour offerings and gesture toward the fire. Behind them stands a large deity murti with a lion mount, a Ganesha figure and a goddess figure adorned with white and red garlands, a decorated kalasha and a umbrella. Plates of red chillies, nuts and yellow flowers lie on the cloth in front. Strings of fairy lights, banana leaves and striped cloth hangings decorate the scene. A man in a white shirt with a microphone sits at the right edge. No individual here clearly matches an appearance-based a person candidate, so the identity is uncertain.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa at an outdoor shrine lit by strings of coloured lights. In the foreground a brick-lined fire pit blazes with flames, surrounded by flower petals and brass vessels of offerings. Several men in white dhotis and red-bordered shawls sit cross-legged in ritual poses; one bare-headed priest in white with a gold chain and rudraksha mala pours offerings, while a shaved-headed man beside a microphone handles flower garlands. Behind them stand large decorated deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount, a pink Ganesha, and a female figure in white and gold, with brass lamps and bowls of fruit and sweets placed before them.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15