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A 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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.2010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 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 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15