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A night homa in progress at a ceremonial fire pit. A tall flame rises from a square stone fire pit with flower petals scattered on its edges. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a long stalk above the fire. Seated around the pit, several men in white ritual clothes and gold beaded necklaces sit cross-legged; one at right has palms pressed together in prayer. Brass bowls and plates of offerings sit at the front, and a table at right holds fruit, marigold garlands, brass oil lamps and a small deity murti decorated with red flowers. Strings of lights and a pink-painted figure appear in the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual. A large blazing fire burns in a stepped white stone fire pit decorated with red and yellow flower petals. Several men in white dhotis sit around the pit; one at right, with shaved head and gold necklaces, presses his palms together in prayer. A standing priest in a white dhoti and sacred thread stands at the back. Brass plates hold offerings, a brass kalasha-style pot, oil lamps burn on the right beside a tray of fruit and flowers, and a decorated altar with red and green draperies is visible. Several people are seen from behind in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa fire ritual at night outdoors. A square fire pit glows at the centre, set on a white marble-like platform decorated with scattered red and pink flower petals. Around it sit about seven men in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and bead malas, many with shaved heads; they hold brass plates of offerings such as chopped vegetables, grains and wood pieces, and feed the fire. Behind them, large colourful deity murtis with flower garlands, brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels, fruit, and bowls of kumkum and vibhuti are arranged on a red and gold cloth. Strings of lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time photograph of a homa being performed at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame. Several priests sit around it in white dhoti and shawls, many wearing gold-toned beaded necklaces. One priest in the centre-right bends forward to pour offerings into the fire, while others hold brass plates of grains, herbs and chopped vegetables. Marigold and red flower petals are scattered on the stone platform. To the right stand brass lamps, a kalasha, red and white floral garlands, bowls of kumkum and a large decorated deity murti behind colourful drapery.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ceremony in an open courtyard. A square brick fire pit with a lit flame sits in the centre, surrounded by flower petals. Around it sit several bare-chested priests in white dhotis and gold-bead garlands, one holding a ladle and offerings. On the right, a bald priest in white with a gold necklace tends brass oil lamps and a plate of offerings near a red-draped seat. Bowls of grains, fruit and dried items lie in front. Two standing figures and seated men are visible in the background. The scene shows a fire ritual with lamps, offerings and a tended fire pit.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in an open outdoor courtyard. A large stone fire pit with rising flames sits at the centre, with offerings of flowers and red petals around its base. Three priests in white dhotis stand behind it; the central priest wears a white shawl and a rudraksha mala and holds a vessel over the fire, while a priest on the right, in a white garment with a mala, leans in to assist. A priest with a white turban stands on the left. A wooden carved disc stands beside the pit. A seated priest in the foreground, shown from behind, holds his hands in namaskar. A row of seated devotees watches from the left, and a standing devotee with folded hands appears at the right edge. Brass lamps, plates of offerings and a decorated seat sit on a cloth to the right, under strings of leaf garlands and a painted pillar.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies