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A photograph of an indoor homa or yagna ritual at a temple-like hall. Seated on the left, a priest in orange robes and an ornate embroidered cylindrical hat sits cross-legged and makes a gesture over the fire. In the centre stands a white-brick fire pit (homa kunda) with a brass vessel, a metal kalasha-style pot, a ladle and scattered yellow flower petals. Behind it, a deity murti is decorated with garlands and sits on a draped altar with a red cloth base. A standing figure in white dhoti and orange shawl stands at right beside shelves of small clay and brass idols. Wooden fuel sticks and offerings lie at the bottom left. Painted textile banners hang on the back wall.

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A photograph of a Hindu fire ritual inside a decorated hall. A man in orange robes and a tall patterned white headdress sits cross-legged at a white brick fire pit, holding a plate of flowers and offerings, with smoke rising from the pit. Behind him a small figure in white and orange sits beside a central deity murti decorated with garlands, set against a painted backdrop of green foliage. Shelves of small clay figurines line the walls, a framed painted portrait of a saffron-robed figure hangs nearby, and tall banners with bird motifs hang from the ceiling. Chairs sit at the right edge.2007-10-12A photograph of a homa ritual inside a hall decorated with painted pillars and a banner reading Nithyanandapeetam. A man in saffron-orange robes and a tall blue-and-white patterned ceremonial cap sits cross-legged at left with palms pressed together in prayer. Before him is a white-tiled fire pit with a brass bowl, a silver vessel and yellow flowers. Behind is a decorated deity murti garlanded with flowers, set on a draped altar with a small tree beside it. A woman in white with an orange shawl stands at right near rows of small clay figurines on shelves, and a framed portrait hangs on the wall. Two people are visible.2007-10-12A photograph of a Navaratri puja in a plain whitewashed hall at AadiKailaasa. A seated priest in saffron robes and an ornate embroidered white-and-blue cap holds a brass vessel and pours or offers over a white brick homa/yagna platform strewn with marigolds and incense sticks. Behind him, a decorated deity murti sits adorned with garlands and a crown, framed by a tree branch and painted pillars. A second seated person in white with an orange sash sits to the right. Shelves of small painted clay figurines line both sides, and a banner reads Nithyanandapeetam.2007-10-12Indoor homa ritual in a hall with a white brick fire pit at centre, flames rising from it and ghee, a brass ladle and spoon resting on the bricks. A man seated on a white cloth at left wears a saffron-orange robe and an ornate blue-and-white embroidered cap, holding a flaming lamp or ladle toward the fire. Behind him are shelves of small clay and terracotta deity figures, and at the back a decorated altar with a deity murti draped in a white cloth, marigold garlands and a red-and-blue cloth. A woman in white and orange clothing sits at right near a bell, with brass vessels and flower offerings on the floor. Mats cover the floor and a tray of wood and sacred ash sits at lower left.2007-10-12A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a shrine room. A white-brick fire pit holds a lit flame with burning wood, surrounded by yellow flower petals, brass vessels, a ladle and a kalasha. Seated at the left, a priest in orange robes and a patterned conical crown presses his palms together in prayer. Behind the pit, a second person in white with orange trim sits before a garlanded deity murti on a draped altar. Shelves along the walls hold rows of small figurines and deity images.2007-10-12Indoor temple-style shrine room with a painted jungle backdrop and a decorated deity murti on a draped platform with garlands. In the foreground, a man in saffron robes and a patterned blue-and-white crown-like cap sits on a mat before a white brick fire altar (homa kund) with brass vessels, a kalasha-style pot and offerings. A boy in white clothes assists by holding a brass plate. Further back, a person in orange and white sits on the floor with a small bell. Shelves on both sides display small clay figures and images. Appearance-based candidate present but uncertain; role described as priest conducting a homa.2007-10-12October 13 20072007-10-13A homa fire ritual in a decorated hall. A priest in saffron robes and a white patterned cap sits cross-legged behind a white-walled fire pit where a small flame burns among bowls, a brass vessel and offerings. Behind him a decorated deity murti sits on a white draped throne, garlanded with flowers and framed by a painted tree backdrop and tall striped pillars. A child in white and saffron kneels nearby. Shelves of small figurines line the walls, and two framed portraits of a saffron-clad figure hang on the side walls.2007-10-12A homa or yagna being performed in a whitewashed hall. A priest in an orange saffron robe and a patterned white-and-black cap sits behind a square white brick fire pit, holding a lit oil lamp or fire vessel aloft. Offerings of pink lotus flowers, brass vessels, a wooden ladle and a small book are arranged on the pit's edge, with smoke rising from the fire. Behind him, a woman in an orange and white sari kneels before a framed portrait of a figure in orange robes and a garland, set on a tiered pedestal with flowers. Shelves on either side hold rows of small deity murtis and figurines, and a hanging banner with a geometric pattern is visible. Part of another person's white-clad arm appears at the lower left.2007-10-13October 12 20072007-10-12October 12 20072007-10-12A seated man in orange robes and an ornate embroidered paisley-patterned headdress holds a lit oil lamp aloft during a ritual at a small indoor shrine. In front of him is a stepped white brick altar strewn with yellow flowers, with a brass bowl, pink lotus blossoms and a small offering dish. Behind him a woman in white with an orange shawl sits near a white painted bull (nandi) draped in a gold-embroidered cloth, and a shelf displays rows of small painted clay figurines and deity figures. Cloth wall hangings with floral motifs frame the room. The lamp flame and the altar suggest an aarti during puja. Visible people: two.2007-10-16