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A photograph of a fire ritual under a corrugated roof supported by carved golden wooden pillars. In the centre, a large flame rises from a fire pit in front of a golden throne-like seat with elephant motifs, where a figure in a red turban and pink garments sits adorned with white and red flower garlands, possibly a deity murti or a person. To the right, a bare-chested man in a white and cream cloth with a white turban and a beaded necklace stands beside the fire. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a yellow border sits on a green cloth, holding an offering over the homa fire, with white sacred marks on his arms and a red-beaded bracelet. A brass bowl sits on the ground in front, filled with black seeds, and red flower petals are scattered on the fire platform.

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A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a shrine. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders and white-and-gold head towels sit at a raised fire pit. The priest on the left, seen from behind, wears a rudraksha mala and offers an item into the flames of an orange fire. On the right, another priest sits seated with his back to the camera. Behind the fire, a figure seated on a gold ornate throne wears a red-and-pink ceremonial turban and pink robes, with white and red flower garlands around the neck. Brass lamps, a kalasha-like brass vessel, plates of fruit and flowers, and yellow and white flower arrangements surround the altar, with greenery visible outside the pillars.2025-12-30Photograph of a homa fire ritual in a open-sided golden pavilion with bamboo pillars and tropical plants behind. A large fire burns in a clay-walled fire pit at centre. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders kneel at the pit, one at left holding an offering vessel toward the flames with rudraksha malas and sandalwood marks on his body, the other at right seated with hands near the fire. Behind the fire, a seated figure in orange-pink robes and a red turban wears white and red flower garlands on a golden throne with elephant motifs. A third priest in white and a golden-bordered cloth stands at right edge. On the left, a brass lamp, brass vessels with yellow flowers and bananas, and a garlanded altar with red cloth. Approximately four people visible.2025-12-30A homa fire ritual in an open-sided pavilion with bamboo pillars and a golden decorated backdrop. In the centre a large fire burns in a clay fire pit, and a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti and white turban sits in front, holding a metal plate of offerings toward the flames. Behind the fire sits a second man, bare-chested with a white turban and rudraksha beads, and a figure in a red and gold turban is seated before a golden throne-like backdrop, adorned with white and red flower garlands. To the left, brass lamps, a kalasha-like brass vessel, orange and yellow marigold offerings, and a red cloth-draped altar with white flower garlands are arranged. A banana-filled backdrop appears at right, and a third priest in white sits at the right edge. The scene centres on a Sudarshan homa performed with offerings.2025-12-30A photograph of a gold-pillared homa altar with a large fire burning in a sunken fire pit at the centre. Three men in white dhotis and white head cloths sit around it: at left a priest reaches to a brass bowl of black sesame seeds and an assistant beside him tends a bowl, and at right a bare-chested priest with gold chains and white sacred markings on his chest sits cross-legged near the fire. Red flower petals are scattered on the altar's steps. Behind the fire, a red and gold draped canopy frames a garlanded deity murti seated on a throne at far right, with a white and red floral garland on the figure and kumkum on its forehead. A brass oil lamp and offerings sit on a red-draped table with flower arrangements.2025-12-30A photograph of a homa fire ritual under a gold-pillared canopy with draped gold and red fabric. Two shirtless priests in white dhotis with white head cloths stand at a raised yellow platform with a smoking fire pit. The priest in the centre wears a gold pendant on a beaded mala and holds a ladle over the fire, while the priest at left wears a beaded mala and stands with hands near the offerings. Smoke rises across the scene. At right sits a seated statue in a red turban and red dhoti, draped with white and red garlands, on a gold ornate throne. Brass oil lamps and a brass bowl of offerings sit on the platform.2025-12-30A fire ritual (homa) is performed inside a gold-pillared canopy with yellow and red drapes. A roaring fire burns in a raised yellow-orange fire pit strewn with red flower petals, in front of a gold shrine holding a deity murti decorated with white and yellow flower garlands. Three priests in white dhotis with gold borders and white head cloths sit or kneel around the pit; one, bare-chested, pours from a metal vessel, another holds a ladle-like tool. A seated figure on the right wears a rudraksha mala and a white head wrap, bare-chested, sitting on a gold-carved chair, while a person in pink stands behind him. Brass oil lamps and offerings are on green cloths.2025-12-30A homa is performed in an open bamboo-roofed pavilion under palms. A fire burns in a rectangular fire pit decorated with white kolam lines and scattered pink and yellow flowers. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a white head cloth and a sacred thread, tends the fire and offers flowers. To the right, a man in a white dhoti with forehead markings sits with palms joined in prayer. Behind the fire, a figure in a pink and saffron robe and red turban sits on an ornate golden throne (peetha) garlanded with marigolds and roses. Golden lamp stands and red-and-gold ceremonial umbrellas frame the scene. A laptop sits on a striped mat at the lower right.2022-12-19A homa fire ritual in a temple-style pavilion with gold pillars and a gilded arch. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with orange-gold borders sit facing a fire pit; one wears a rudraksha mala and an arm band, the other a white upper cloth draped over his shoulder. A third priest wearing an orange turban and a white dhoti sits behind the fire on the left side. In the background a seated figure in a pink garment with a red turban and a white-and-pink flower garland sits before a golden throne-like seat, with a white and red garland draped across the figure. The fire pit holds burning wood, with brass bowls of offerings and a kalasha-type vessel nearby. On the left stand brass oil lamps, flower garlands and a tray of yellow flowers and bananas, with red and white flowers on a table draped in red cloth.2025-12-30A homa fire ritual inside a canopied enclosure with gold-coloured pillars and draped gold and red fabric behind. Two priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand at a fire pit with smoke rising; the man on the left, bare-chested with a white head cloth, holds a long wooden ladle over the pit, while the man in the centre, wearing a white cloth on his head and a beaded necklace, holds a small vessel. Red flower petals are scattered on the golden altar. On the right, a seated figure in a red turban, white and red garlands and a green cloth sits on an ornate gold throne, with a bowl of flowers and a brass lamp nearby. Brass oil lamps and a flower arrangement sit on the altar. The setting is a Sudarshan homa at the temple.2025-12-30Photograph of a homa fire ritual in a golden-draped ceremonial space. A brick fire pit with a large orange flame sits at centre, its altar strewn with red flower petals. Behind it, a red-and-gold backdrop frames a deity murti within a blue niche, flanked by garlanded kalasha-style pots, brass lamps and flowers. Two priests sit beside the fire: the one on the left wears a white head cloth, bare chest with white markings, and beaded necklaces; the one on the right wears a white head cloth, white dhoti with a gold border, and necklaces, seated on a green cushion. A third figure in a red turban and white garland stands at the right edge beside a gold throne-like seat.2025-12-30December 19 2022 sripuram2022-12-19A photograph inside a golden-pillared temple pavilion with red and gold draped cloth backdrop. On the left, a priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace holds a silver vessel of flowers and yellow petals while standing beside a fire pit with blazing flames for a homa. In the centre, two seated figures in white and red garments with floral garlands sit behind an offering arrangement with flowers and a brass lamp. On the right, a figure in a red-maroon turban and pink-red garments, adorned with white and green flower garlands, sits on an ornate gold throne with a green silk cushion. Rose petals are scattered on the floor and a brass oil lamp stands nearby.2025-12-30