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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ceremony at an outdoor homa pit, with a fire glowing in a rectangular sunken fire pit lined with flower petals. A priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit lamp or torch high on the left. Around the pit, several seated ritual participants in white cloth and some in yellow dhotis hold offering plates of flowers, grains and red items. Behind them stands a decorated shrine with a large white-and-silver figure of a goddess, a lion mount, a deity murti with a garland, and bright string lights and a canopy. Brass oil lamps and banana-leaf decorations frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa ceremony. Several priests in white dhoti and shawl sit around a square fire pit with a sunken centre, pouring offerings and ghee; some wear gold necklaces and sacred thread. Behind them stand large white-framed deity murtis, including a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, bowls of flowers and rows of dried red chillies are arranged on the altar. Strings of lights and colourful festival banners hang in the background. On a red velvet throne with gold trim sits a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure with long hair, labelled as a portrait rather than a physical person. Four to six priests are visible in the scene.2010-10-16 +2 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 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at a Chandi Homa. A standing priest with a bare upper body and white dhoti holds a lit oil lamp or flame near a brick fire pit in front of him, while several seated priests in white clothes and beaded necklaces chant around the pit. Behind them a large decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, lion mount and ornate white backdrop is adorned with red and white garlands, and a Ganesha figure stands nearby. Oil lamps, fruit offerings, flower petals and brass vessels sit on the ground. Strings of multicolour lights and tall decorated poles frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa ceremony beside a lit fire pit. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left, extending a lit lamp or torch toward the flames, with rudraksha-style beads at his neck. Seated priests in white clothes, some wearing beaded necklaces, sit around the square fire altar holding brass vessels and offerings. Behind them is a decorated deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount and a ganesha figure, adorned with garlands, flower petals and brass oil lamps. Strings of fairy lights and colourful festoon banners decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa at an outdoor pavilion. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at the centre holding a lit aarti lamp high above a sunken fire pit with a bright flame. Around the pit, several seated priests in white and one in yellow cloth chant and make offerings, with brass plates of flowers, grains and red offerings in front of them. Behind them stands a large deity murti with many arms, a lion and a mount, decorated with garlands, and smaller figures of Ganesha and other deities. Strings of coloured lights, hanging festival banners and a white canopy frame the scene. Several more people in white stand at the edges.2010-10-16 +1 copies