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A photograph of an evening homa-style ritual at a temple-like shrine. A bald man in white ritual dress with a red border and a white shawl sits on a tiger-skin seat, reaching toward a flower-garlanded object on a stone platform. Brass oil lamps, a lit lamp and a silver bowl with a ladle sit before him. Behind are large deity murtis, including a lion figure and an elephant-headed form, decorated with white garlands and red flower garlands, with yellow kumkum and offerings nearby.

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A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border sits on a striped cushion, pouring ghee from a ladle into a fire pit lined with stone. Brass oil lamps and a lit clay lamp surround the homa area, with a bronze bowl and trays of offerings nearby. Behind him, a large deity murti with a lion mount and multi-armed figures stands in front of white floral decorations, with garlanded female figures and a pink Ganesha at the sides. Marigold garlands and kumkum-colored offerings are visible on the floor. The priest's face is turned down toward the homa and is not clearly visible.2010-10-13A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border, bare-shouldered, with gold chain and white tripundra on forehead, holds a brass tray of burning offerings with a flame during a homa. Behind him stand large colourful deity murtis including an elephant-headed figure and a multi-armed goddess with a lion, and an oil lamp stands on a brass stand. To the right, a decorated deity murti sits draped in pink and white flower garlands and silver ornaments on a red cloth. A brass vessel and flowers rest on a stone platform in front of the priest.2010-10-12A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl sits cross-legged on a mat before a homa fire pit, extending his right hand over the offering area. He wears a gold necklace and a gold bangle, with a tilak on his forehead. Behind him stand brightly decorated deity murtis, including a pink and gold Ganesha with a red garland and a female figure in green and gold. A brass oil lamp and brass bowls with offerings sit on the altar, and a small deity murti in white and orange flower garlands sits at right. Fairy lights line the backdrop, and a lion figure appears at the far right.2010-10-13A ritual scene before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, seated on a lion, with a bright halo and garlands; several other smaller murtis and a crowd of devotees stand behind. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and sacred thread sits with hands folded in anjali at a square white fire pit or homa altar with a dark central tray, brass bowls, oil lamps and scattered marigold petals. Several women in red sarees sit beside the altar, and an oil lamp burns nearby. Strings of lights and ornate decorative canopies fill the background.2010-10-16A night puja at a decorated shrine with a large deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, framed by white floral arches and a garland-draped figure. A fire pit with burning flame sits on white tiered steps in front. Several priests in white dhotis, one in a yellow cloth, perform the ritual; one standing priest in white holds a vessel toward the fire. Young girls in red and maroon dress sit near the shrine. At right, a seated elderly man in a saffron-orange robe with white-striped forehead and arm markings sits with hands joined, beside a person in a white turban and another in white. Hanging mango leaves, lanterns and brass oil lamps decorate the scene.2010-10-16A shaven-headed priest in a white dhoti and gold beaded necklace sits cross-legged before a rectangular white marble fire pit, holding a brass bowl and spoon while performing a homa. A microphone stands in front of him. Behind the pit, a large murti of Goddess Durga with multiple arms and a lion mount is decorated with white and red garlands and a white lace backdrop, flanked by a pink-trunked Ganesha murti and a lit brass oil lamp. Brass pots, banana-leaf offerings, flower garlands and lit oil lamps surround the altar. A man in white clothes with a rudraksha mala stands at the left edge, hands folded in reverence.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A temple puja scene before a large multi-armed deity murti of Durga with a red-and-gold figure on a lion-like mount, flanked by additional goddess figures in white and red adornments. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl kneels at a low white altar, pouring offerings from a small vessel, with a small silver-and-red decorated image on a peetha. Oil lamps burn on brass stands, and a standing attendant in white dhoti holds a lit lamp. Three young girls in red and maroon saris sit to the right, with garlands of flowers and marigold petals scattered on the altar. Dried twigs and offering plates lie in front.2010-10-16A shaved-headed priest in a white dhoti and white upper cloth with red-bordered edges sits cross-legged on a cushion beside a fire pit lined with pale stone. He wears a long gold-bead necklace and a gold bangle, with white and red tilak marks on his forehead, and holds a brass spoon over a metal bowl of offerings while looking down. Behind him stand a pink and gold Ganesha murti garlanded with red flowers and a female deity murti in white and pink, beside brass oil lamps, a kalasha and string lights. On the right, a dark stone deity murti with a gold crown is decorated with white and yellow flower garlands. The scene suggests a homa or puja in progress.2010-10-13Night 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 copiesA photograph of an evening homa at night. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red borders sits cross-legged on a tiger-skin mat, wearing a gold beaded necklace and a bangle, and holds a leaf or wooden offering over a fire pit. A visible fire burns at the right of the pit, with sticks and a small pile of offerings beside it, and a silver bowl containing liquid and flowers sits before the fire. Behind are decorated clay murti of deities including a Ganesha with an elephant head and a lion-headed figure, adorned with white lace, garlands and lamps, with a silver-framed deity display and brass oil lamps nearby. A small logo appears in the upper left corner.2010-10-12October 15 20102010-10-15