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A ritual fire ceremony in a decorated temple hall. A large fire burns before a richly ornamented deity murti with a golden crown and multiple raised arms, set against a gold-and-red drape. Three priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered cloths stand around the fire; the priest at right, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala, presses his palms together, while the left-side priests, one wearing a saffron-orange cloth, perform the offering. Tall green palm-leaf posts flank the fire pit, which holds a garlanded, red-and-white draped offering. At right, a figure in a red and white robe with a striped shawl sits on a golden throne before a painted pillar.

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A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a decorated shrine. A large fire burns in front of an elaborately decorated deity murti set against a golden-yellow and colourful garlanded backdrop, with a kumkum-marked idol-like form at centre. Two priests in white dhotis flank the fire: one on the left holds an offering and wears a rudraksha mala, and one on the right stands with palms joined in namaskar, wearing a white turban, white dhoti and bare chest with beaded necklaces. A figure in a red turban and red garment sits on a red-and-gold throne-like seat, draped with garlands in green, red, yellow and white. Green palm-leaf torans frame the fire, and a brass lamp and a garlanded offering sit near the flames.A temple ritual at KAILASA Hyderabad during Navaratri. At the centre, a decorated deity murti of a goddess sits in a golden canopy framed by palm-leaf stalks, with garlands and a red-and-green draped backdrop. In front, a small fire pit burns with a flower-garlanded offering on a red cloth. Four men in white dhotis stand around it: at left, a bare-chested priest with a yellow turban and folded hands; a second bare-chested man with a white turban and rudraksha mala; at right, a man with a white turban, rudraksha mala and folded hands; and a figure in a red turban and white garment seated at the far right. Brass oil lamps sit on the platform and a golden throne-like chair stands at right.A photograph of a nighttime homa at a temple-like shrine. A large fire burns in a sunken pit in the foreground, with a green and red cloth-draped offering and white flower garlands placed near it. Three men stand at left and right with hands joined in namaskar; two at left wear white dhotis with gold borders and bare upper bodies with rudraksha or bead necklaces, and one at right wears a white dhoti with gold border and a bead mala. Behind the fire, a deity murti is decorated with garlands and flanked by colourful framed images. Palm-leaf toranas frame the scene, and a seated figure in red and white garlands sits on an ornate gold chair at right. Festival bunting in pink, yellow and green hangs above.A photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at night in a decorated temple pavilion. A large fire blazes in a pit in the foreground, with a garlanded kalasha or offering near its base. Behind it stands a tiered arrangement of deity murtis adorned with garlands and flower decorations, with a central goddess figure in red and gold. Two priests in white dhoti and shawls stand on either side with palm-leaf toran posts. On the right, a man with a white turban and bare chest, wearing a rudraksha mala and gold chain, presses his palms together beside an ornate gold throne draped in a garland of red, green and white flowers. Multicoloured flower garlands hang along the top of the tent.A photograph of a devi darshan homa at a temple shrine. In the centre, a fire burns over a homa pit with a kalasha or offering covered in red and white cloth, garlanded with white flowers and green leaves. Behind, a large ornate deity murti of a goddess sits within a golden arched shrine decorated with colourful striped and floral garlands, with flanking figures and a garland-draped stand. Two priests in white dhoti with gold borders stand with hands folded in anjali; one on the left holds a ritual object, and another priest on the right wears a white dhoti, bare upper body and rudraksha mala. Palm-leaf toran decorations frame the scene, and a decorated pillar with floral and elephant motifs stands at the right edge. Three people are visible.A night-time photograph of a homa fire ritual at a temple shrine. A large fire burns in the foreground on a pit before a decorated deity murti with multiple raised arms and a red-and-gold backdrop framed by orange and red marigold garlands. Three male priests stand around the fire: the one on the left wears a white turban, a white dhoti and a rudraksha mala; the central priest holds a brass offering dish and wears a yellow turban and a rudraksha mala; the one on the right is bare-chested with a white turban, white dhoti and rudraksha mala, holding a leafy offering. Tall palm-leaf torans and a golden canopy frame the scene.Night photograph of a fire ritual at a shrine. Flames rise from a fire pit in the center, with a green-and-red draped kalasha or offering bundle decorated with white flowers in front of it. Behind the fire, a deity murti with multiple arms stands in a gilded shrine framed by colourful festoons and a golden arch. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand at left, one with hands folded in namaskar and one holding a ritual object. At right, a man in a red turret-style turban and a multicolour garland sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne, while a priest in white with a gold-bordered dhoti stands at far right with palms joined. Tall green palm-leaf pillars frame the scene. This appears to be a homa or puja ritual.A photograph of a ritual homa at a temple shrine. A small fire burns on a raised altar in front of a decorated deity murti, with white and green flower offerings placed at its base. Behind the altar, a deity murti in red and gold robes sits beneath a gold and red canopy strung with multicoloured garlands, flanked by additional figures. Three men stand to the sides: on the left a bare-chested man in a yellow turban with gold chain and white dhoti holds his palms together in namaskar; in the centre a bare-chested man in white dhoti raises his hand near the fire; on the right a man in a red turban and rainbow-striped garland sits and a standing man in white dhoti folds his hands. Tall palm-leaf decorations frame the scene.A ritual fire burns in a temple-style hall decorated with ornate gold pillars, colourful draped fabric and flower garlands. In the centre, a large flame rises from a fire pit beside a yellow-green altar where a figure draped in red and blue cloth is adorned with white and green flower garlands. Two palm-leaf-wrapped posts frame the fire. At left, a man in white dhoti and white head cloth with a garland stands with hands folded. At right, a bare-chested priest in white and yellow-bordered dhoti holds a tray and wears a rudraksha-style bead necklace. Behind the fire, a seated figure in red and colourful garments sits on an ornate gold throne, and deity murtis are decorated with flowers. Brass lamps and offering plates sit near the altar, consistent with a homa ritual.A photograph of a decorated temple-style hall during a fire ritual. A large bright fire blazes in a central homa pit, with palm-leaf poles wrapped in green and white on either side. Behind the fire stands an ornate golden-framed shrine with garlands and a deity murti. On the right, a figure in an ornate gold chair with a red and white cushion sits behind the flames. Three men in white dhotis and white head cloths stand around the fire: one on the left with folded hands, one in the center holding garlands and a flower-decorated item, and one on the right holding a tray with red cloth. A flower-garlanded object lies on the low platform in front of the fire.A photograph of a nighttime homa at a temple-style shrine. A large fire blazes in a pit in the foreground, with a coconut wrapped in red cloth and white flower garland placed before it. Behind the fire stands a decorated deity murti with a golden crown, red and gold garments and a silver face, flanked by multicoloured floral garlands and gold-painted panels. A standing man in the right foreground, bare-chested with a yellow-and-white cloth over his shoulder and a yellow headcloth, holds his hands in anjali. A brass oil lamp and another man in white dhoti with orange border stand at the right edge, and gold carved pillars frame the left side.A homa fire burns in a decorated temple-style mandap with a golden pillar and palm-leaf posts. Behind the fire, a deity murti group sits on a red-and-gold altar framed by colourful striped drapes and marigold garlands. In front of the fire a red and blue cloth-draped kalasha or offering bundle is garlanded with white flowers and green leaves. Four men stand around the fire: two on the left in white dhotis with bare upper bodies, one holding a red cloth-covered tray and wearing a rudraksha-style necklace, and one on the right in a white dhoti and yellow-bordered cloth with palms joined in greeting. A seated figure on an ornate gold-and-red throne wears a red turban, multicolour striped garlands and a patterned striped shawl, with hands resting in his lap. Vibhuti marks show on several foreheads.