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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time photograph of a homa fire ritual in an open courtyard decorated with string lights and a kalasha-style canopy. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a flaming torch or lamp above a square fire pit where a bright fire burns. Several seated priests in white clothing, some with rudraksha malas and ceremonial gold necklaces, sit around the fire pit with brass plates of flowers and offerings. Behind them is an elaborately decorated altar with large murtis of deities, including a figure with a sword and a multi-armed goddess figure, flanked by brass oil lamps and fruit offerings. Colourful festival banners hang from poles at the left and top.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual homa at a temple pavilion. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at left holding a flaming ladle over a square fire pit of blazing wood. Around the fire, about a dozen seated men in white dhotis and cloths, some wearing gold-bead necklaces, sit on mats with brass plates of offerings, fruits and flowers. To the right, large ornate deity murtis in white and silver decorations, including a figure with a crown and weapons, stand beside brass lamps and strings of fairy lights. Hanging banners and painted pillars frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa or puja at a temple-like setting lit with strings of lights. A central standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a lit oil lamp aloft, flame raised high. In front, a square fire pit burns with an open flame; a seated priest feeds it and another sits beside a brass plate of offerings. Around them, several shaved-headed, white-clad men sit on mats in devotion, some with gold necklaces and hands folded. At right, a large ornate deity murti adorned with a red garland and a lion mount, with a Ganesha figure and decorated umbrella nearby. Coloured bunting, lanterns and banana leaves decorate the space.2010-10-15A 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 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 +2 copies