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Photograph of a temple shrine during a homa ritual. A fire burns in a pit in the foreground, with a small offering arranged in flowers at its edge. Behind it stand several decorated deity murtis, with a large central figure in a red and gold setting, flanked by others draped in white and multicolored garlands, with yellow and green accents. Tall palm-leaf posts frame the shrine, and a brass lamp and vessels sit on the floor. A priest in a white dhoti and white head cloth stands at left, facing the shrine. At right, a seated person in a red head cloth and garlands of white and multicolored flowers sits near the shrine.

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A photograph of a homa ritual inside a decorated temple shrine at night. A large fire burns in a pit in the centre foreground, with a golden kalasha-style vessel and offerings nearby. Behind it, a golden shrine holds three deity murtis adorned with garlands and colourful bangles, backed by multicoloured drapery. On the left, two priests in white dhotis with bare upper bodies stand with folded hands and a red-cloth-covered tray, one wearing a white shawl and rudraksha-style beads. On the right, a seated figure in a red turban and a multicoloured garland sits on an ornate golden throne beside palm-leaf torans. A decorated peetha with flower garlands is in the foreground.A temple shrine interior during a fire ritual. A large flame burns in a fire pit in the centre, with a decorated altar behind it holding deity murtis with garlands and ornate gold and red coverings. Tall green palm-leaf decorations flank the fire on either side, and the walls are carved golden pillars. In the foreground, offerings of flowers, leaves and fruit are arranged on a platter in front of the fire pit. On the right, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a gold border and a light green cloth on his head stands with palms pressed together in prayer. This appears to be a homa at a shrine.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 shrine at night during a homa, with a fire pit blazing in the foreground. Two priests stand on either side with palms pressed together in namaskar; the left priest holds a brass vessel, and both wear white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces, one bare-chested. Behind the fire, a richly decorated deity arrangement sits under a golden arch with multiple deity murtis, adorned with flower garlands and marigold strands. Palm fronds frame the scene, and a golden-pillared hall surrounds the shrine. A small figure in a garland of white and green flowers sits before the fire pit on a red cloth.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 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 photograph of a homa fire ritual in a decorated shrine. Flames burn in a stone fire pit in the lower centre, with a small offering arrangement of white flowers and green leaves set in front of it. Behind the fire, a row of deity murtis or statues stand under garlands of white and multicoloured flowers, with yellow marigold strands and palm-leaf decorations framing the shrine. Brass lamps and a metal vessel rest at the left edge. No people are visible in the scene.A photograph of a homa fire burning in front of a decorated deity shrine. A central goddess murti in red and gold garments and a large golden crown stands between two other deity murtis adorned with marigold garlands and flower offerings. Yellow and orange draped cloth frames the shrine, with palm-leaf decorations on either side. Brass vessels and a kalasha with white flowers sit on the platform in the foreground. At the left edge, a partly visible seated figure wears a white head wrap and a red shawl, and at the right edge another person in a red wrap and garland is partly visible. The scene is a homa or yagna in a shrine setting.A homa fire burns in a fire pit on a yellow-draped platform inside a temple shrine decorated with palm fronds and gold-coloured pillars. A man in a white dhoti and white head cloth, bare-chested and wearing a white garland, tends the fire with his hands near a copper vessel. Behind him, a row of deity murtis stands before a golden arched backdrop with red and green details, with offerings and brass lamps in front. On the right, a seated figure in a red turban and a garland of white, red and green flowers sits on a golden throne. In the foreground, a decorated kalasha with flower garlands and a red and blue cloth sits before the fire. The setting suggests a homa ritual during Navaratri.A photograph of a ritual fire ceremony inside a decorated shrine. A bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a gold border and a white head cloth stands at a raised yellow-draped platform, holding an offering over a small blazing fire. He wears a rudraksha mala. Behind him stands a colourful decorated backdrop with deity murtis in red, green and gold, and a kalasha-like offering sits in front. Palm fronds frame the scene, and a brass vessel rests at left. On the right, a seated figure in a red turban and a white and red garland sits on a golden throne. A tiered brass lamp and a garlanded covered object lie before the fire pit.A photograph of a homa ritual at a temple shrine. Two priests stand at left: the one on the far left is bare-chested with a yellow turban and gold chains, holding a silver tray draped in red cloth; the second wears a white turban, white dhoti and a rudraksha-style bead necklace. In the centre a sacred fire burns in a fire pit before a decorated shrine with multiple deity murtis adorned with yellow and marigold garlands, backed by a gold and orange canopy with flower festoons. Brass lamps and offerings sit on the altar. Bright red and orange patterned cloth panels frame the scene.A photograph of a homa ritual in a decorated temple hall. A large fire burns in a pit at centre-front, with a kalasha-like offering and a flower-decked deity murti in red and blue behind it. Behind the fire stand three decorated deity murtis with golden crowns on a red-draped altar, flanked by bright floral and striped drapes and green palm-leaf torans. On the left, two priests in white dhotis stand with bare upper bodies and white shawls and garlands, one holding a red-cloth-covered tray with his palms joined. On the far right, a seated figure in red headwear, white and multicoloured garlands and a gold chair is shown, with a decorative golden throne behind. Four to five people are visible, including partial figures.