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Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in front of an illuminated deity murti of Durga with a lion mount, decorated with white flower and bead ornaments and garlands. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces, sit around a square fire pit with a bright flame, tending offerings, pouring from copper vessels and handling ritual implements. Plates of fruit, red chillies, kalasha pots and oil lamps surround them. Behind the priests, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure, and string lights decorate the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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-time homa ceremony in front of a large deity murti of Devi, shown in a red-and-gold sari with garlands, flanked by a lion mount and other figures, beneath strings of lights. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and ceremonial sacred threads sit around a square fire pit, one holding an offering vessel and another tending the fire. Brass oil lamps, bowls of fruit, sweets and dried red chillies are arranged on trays. An empty red velvet throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure, labelled as a portrait rather than a person present. Decorations include banners and hanging red and yellow tassels.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual before a large Devi murti with a lion and a multi-armed goddess figure framed by white floral arches and marigold garlands. A square fire pit with glowing embers sits at the centre, surrounded by seated priests in white dhotis and shawls, several wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and bare-chested. One priest kneels at the far left feeding offerings into the pit with a ladle, while others attend trays of fruit, puffed grains, nuts and dried red chillies. Behind them, a red velvet throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange. Strings of lights and colourful banners decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual before a large decorated Devi murti with multiple arms and a lion mount, adorned with white and red garlands. Several men in white dhoti-style clothing with bare upper bodies and beaded necklaces sit cross-legged around a square fire pit (homa kunda) with ritual vessels, a ladle, brass lamps and plates of fruit and offerings. Behind them a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure sits on an ornate red and gold throne. Colourful string lights and banners decorate the open courtyard.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a homa fire ritual at a temple-style setting decorated with string lights and a deity murti group with a lion and goddess figure on the left. Around a rectangular fire pit with an open flame, about seven men in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces perform the ritual, one pouring offerings. Plates of fruit, flowers, red kumkum-like powder and nuts sit on the cloth-covered tables. On a red throne with gold trim at the right, a framed portrait shows a seated figure in orange garments, labelled as a portrait without legible caption. Yellow and red bunting hangs overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a Chandi Homa at an outdoor temple setting. A square fire pit (homa kunda) glows at centre, surrounded by seated priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders; several wear gold necklaces. The priest in front left pours or stirs an offering from a bowl with a ladle. Behind them stand large decorated deity murtis of the goddess with multiple arms, garlanded, flanked by a lion and other figures. Brass oil lamps, kalasha-style vessels, fruit trays, red flower garlands and trays of red chillies and grains lie on the cloth-covered table. A red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure with long hair. Strings of lights and bunting decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa in a street-side pandal. A square fire pit glows with flame at centre, with white-robed priests in white dhotis and shawls seated around it, some with bare upper bodies and sacred threads, one standing and officiating with a ladle-like vessel. Behind them stands a large deity murti with a white floral halo and garlands, flanked by lion figure and other figures, with oil lamps on stands and brass plates of fruit and offerings in front. On a red throne with gold trim to the right sits a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure with a crown or turban shown in the picture; this is a portrait, not a physical person. Strings of coloured lights and banners decorate the background, and red chilies and nuts are laid out on trays. This depicts a Chandi homa ritual.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at an ashram-style pavilion decorated with string lights and bunting. Several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, some wearing rudraksha malas, sit on the ground around a low wooden platform with a lit oil lamp and brass vessels, some seated and one pouring or offering. Behind them a large white-decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands beside a lion figure. A framed portrait on a red throne shows a saffron-robed figure seated in meditation. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, red flowers and offerings are arranged on the ground in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night 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 copies