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Night outdoor ritual at a homa fire pit. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and yellow waist cloth kneels facing a lit fire on white stepped platform with flower petals. Behind, several white-clad men stand and hold a lit flame aloft on a plate, with one wearing an orange turban. Beside the fire, a large decorated deity murti with a crown, many arms and garlands, plus smaller figures, stands among brass oil lamps, fruit and offerings on a red cloth. Fairy lights glow in the background.

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Night photograph of a fire ritual under a covered open-air pavilion decorated with red and orange triangular bunting and hanging red tassels. In the foreground a bare-shouldered priest in a white dhoti kneels before a square fire pit with a flame and offerings, with a brass lamp and plates of fruit and flowers set out. On the right, a large deity murti with many arms holding weapons stands in ornate silver and red decorations, beside a lion figure and smaller figures and a lit string-light tower. Several white-clad priests stand in the background, one holding a lit flame on a brass vessel, while a standing man in an orange turban and white clothes raises a burning lamp.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa ceremony before a large tiered deity murti installation. In the foreground a fire pit with a bright flame sits on white steps, and a bare-torsoed priest in white dhoti kneels before it. Behind, a standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a flaming ritual lamp aloft while another stands nearby with a plate. Several devotees in white clothes stand with hands folded at the side. On the right, colourful deity murtis with garlands and ornate white decorations occupy an altar, with brass oil lamps, fruit, plates of offerings and an orange cloth in front. Strings of lights and triangular bunting decorate the background. No figure in the scene is clearly identifiable as a person.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual photograph at an open-air pavilion lit by oil lamps and string lights. In the foreground a bare-shouldered priest in a white dhoti and gold necklace sits with his back to the camera before a fire pit on tiered white steps, with a flame rising from it. Behind him, a standing priest in white holds a lit lamp, and another priest in white stands near a brass vessel. Several white-clad people sit in rows at left. At right, a large deity murti decorated with white lace and floral garments stands beside brass oil lamps, fruit offerings and a red-and-green cloth on a low table. Red cloth banners hang from the pavilion ceiling.2010-10-16Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual under an open pavilion decorated with hanging tassels and bunting. In the foreground a bare-backed man in white dhoti with a beaded necklace kneels facing a fire pit with flames and a row of offerings. Standing priests in white cloth hold a lamp and kalasha-like vessels in front of an altar. Beside the fire, a large murti of a goddess with many arms, a red-and-white garment and a lion mount is decorated with garlands, with a smaller figure of a lion and an elephant-headed deity nearby. Brass oil lamps, fruit offerings and a red cloth-covered table fill the foreground, and strings of lights glow in the background. A few seated devotees in white are visible at the left edge.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual under a pavilion hung with red and white triangular bunting and red tassels. At left, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a flaming lamp over a fire pit as seated men in white clothes watch from the left edge. Standing priests in white with folded hands and a bare-shouldered figure in white stand behind. To the right, an altar holds fruit, brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel and a large deity murti with a yellow-orange crown and garlands, beside a clay image of an elephant-headed deity; string lights glow in the background. A chandi homa fire ritual with aarti is taking place.2010-10-16Night 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 copiesNight photograph of a homa ritual under a open-sided pandal decorated with hanging flags and string lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and orange-gold shawl holds a lit lamp or flame before a fire pit, while several seated priests in white and cream clothing sit on mats around the offerings. Brass plates hold red flowers, grains and fruit. Behind them stand large deity murti with white decorative arches, including a lion mount and a multi-armed goddess figure adorned with garlands. Red cushions and a white canopy frame the right side.2010-10-16 +2 copies