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Night ritual outdoors under a canopy hung with orange and white triangular bunting and yellow leaf garlands. A large fire blazes on a tiered white stone homa altar in the foreground. A priest in white dhoti and an orange-yellow turban stands at the fire holding a brass plate, while another white-clad ritual assistant beside him holds a lamp. Seated devotees in white and orange line the left side. On the right, a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount, flanked by smaller figures, is garlanded with red flowers, with brass oil lamps and fruit offerings on a purple cloth. A string of lights glows behind the murti.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor homa at a covered open-air pavilion decorated with bunting, tassels and string lights. A large fire burns in a white stone fire pit with layered square tiers, flames rising high. A priest in white dhoti sits cross-legged at the lower left beside brass plates and offerings. Two men in white and saffron-trimmed cloths stand at the fire, one with a turban, one bare-chested, tending it with long rods. Seated devotees fill the left side, and standing figures with folded hands stand in the background. On the right is a deity murti adorned with a red garland and a large crown-like headdress, flanked by brass oil lamps, fruit, sweets and an orange silk cloth. Many people are visible seated in rows in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa. A raised white stone fire pit with a large open flame sits in the foreground, surrounded by marigold petals, with a brass lamp and a round bronze plate nearby. Three men in white ritual dhotis stand behind the fire: the one on the left holds a flaming torch and wears a white head covering with bead necklaces, another stands in a white dhoti with a bare upper body, and a third in a white shawl stands beside them. A woman in white sits with hands folded at the lower left. Behind them, additional people in white stand and sit. To the right stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount, adorned with garlands, a crown and a decorated backdrop; brass oil lamps and trays of fruit and offerings are arranged on purple and gold cloths. Strings of lights, saffron pennants and banana leaf decorations hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a Chandi Homa at an outdoor pavilion. A priest in a white turban and orange-gold beaded necklace holds a flaming torch beside a tiered white stone fire altar where a large fire burns. Other priests in white dhotis and shawls stand with hands folded in prayer, and seated devotees in white fill the left foreground. On the right, a richly decorated deity murti with a lion mount, garlands and a silver crown is surrounded by brass oil lamps, kalasha-like offerings, fruit and sweets on brass plates. Strings of flags and lights hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at a temple courtyard before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms holding weapons, with a figure of Ganesha and smaller images nearby. A priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth with a turban stands at a fire pit holding a lamp, while other priests in white with rudraksha-style necklaces stand with hands folded behind him. A man in white kneels in the foreground beside the fire pit. Brass oil lamps, fruit, sweets and offerings are arranged on orange cloth, and string lights and hanging festival decorations frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A 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 copiesA night-time outdoor ritual under a canopy strung with orange and multicoloured tassel banners and green leaf garlands. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and shawl leans over a stepped white fire pit (homa kunda) filled with a glowing orange surface, while another white-clad priest in the centre holds a brass plate. Other white-clad priests stand behind, and a row of seated devotees in orange and white clothing watches at left. At right a decorated altar holds a deity murti draped in white and red garlands, with a lion mount, brass oil lamps (deepa), fruit and sweet offerings on plates, and a bright string of lights behind. Motion blur marks a moving figure at lower left.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ritual at an open-air ashram pavilion. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti sits cross-legged facing a fire pit on a white tiered platform, with flames burning inside and petals scattered around it. Several white-clad priests stand in the background with palms joined, one holding a brass vessel. To the right, a large deity murti with multiple arms and a red face, adorned with a garland and a flowing dark cloth, is framed by decorative white lace and blue panels, with brass oil lamps and fruit offerings set before it. Strings of lights and hanging festoons decorate the tent above. The priest and standing priests are wearing rudraksha-style necklaces and no identifiable a person figure is visible.2010-10-16 +1 copies