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A priest in saffron-orange robes and an orange turban stands at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame, holding a lit oil lamp in one hand and a brass vessel in the other during a fire ritual in an interior room. Behind him an ornate gold and red velvet chair sits empty. On the right, three metal deity murtis stand on a purple-draped altar decorated with pink and white flower garlands, with a black cloth beneath them. Brass pots, bananas, fruit and flower petals lie on the floor around the fire pit. Several seated people in white, at the back left, watch the ritual.

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A homa fire burns in a brick-lined pit in the foreground of an indoor ashram room with wooden flooring. A figure in orange-red dhoti and wrap, with a red turban, rudraksha mala and bare upper body, stands at the fire pit adding offerings. Behind, three metal deity murtis stand on a purple-draped table decorated with garlands of white and pink flowers, including a central murti with four arms and a smaller female murti. Brass vessels, bananas and small oil lamps sit on the floor. In the background, a red velvet ornate throne and several seated devotees in white watch the ritual.2014-06-28A photograph of a homa fire pit built of yellow bricks, with flames rising from it, inside a room with a wood floor. A man in a rust-red and gold turban and matching red-orange dhoti and shawl stands at left, bare-armed, holding a small ritual vessel above the fire. Behind him on a purple cloth-covered altar stand three statues: a bald figure in saffron robes at left, a figure in white with a trident at centre, and a female figure in a red sari at right. The altar is garlanded with marigold and pink flower strings. A gold and red velvet throne stands at left, and brass plates, bowls and banana leaves are arranged on the floor.2014-06-28June 28 20142014-06-28 +1 copiesJune 28 20142014-06-28 +1 copiesJune 28 20142014-06-28June 28 20142014-06-28June 28 20142014-06-28A priest in a maroon dhoti and matching shawl with an orange-red turban bends over a draped purple-covered altar in a temple room, reaching toward a lit oil lamp and garlanded metal idols. Three metal deity figures stand behind the altar: a bearded sage-like figure on the left, a female deity holding a trident on the centre pedestal, and a figure in a green and red sari on the right, all adorned with flower garlands. Next to the altar, an open brick fire pit burns with flames, surrounded by brass vessels, flower petals, banana leaves and fruit offerings. On the right, a woman in white sari with a rudraksha mala stands with hands folded in namaskar beside a staircase draped with garlands. A gold-and-maroon ornate throne chair stands on the left, with a golden staff leaning beside it. The scene shows a homa or puja being performed.2014-06-28 +1 copiesJune 28 20142014-06-28 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual in an indoor shrine room with a wooden floor and tiled wall. A man in an orange-red turban and orange-red wrap with gold border holds a lit flame aloft over a flower-garlanded altar. Behind him stand small bronze and painted deity murti figures, one with a crown and necklaces. At the lower right, a woman in a white sari with orange border stands with palms pressed together. At the lower left, a shaven-headed man in white clothes with a rudraksha mala and wrist bands holds a small brass vessel. In front, a brick fire pit (homa/yagna) burns with flames, surrounded by scattered petals and offerings. A gold-and-red throne chair stands at left beside a staircase with garlands.2014-06-28 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual room at a temple-style ashram. A barefoot man in a maroon dhoti and maroon shawl with a saffron border, wearing a rudraksha mala and a saffron turban, stands at centre holding a silver tray with a red cloth. Behind him on a purple-draped altar are three bronze figures: a standing bald figure in saffron robes, a central deity murti with raised hands in white and gold garments, and a female figure in green and red. Garlands of white and red flowers decorate the altar. In front stands a yellow brick fire pit (homa kunda) with burning embers and a small pot. Brass plates, a kalasha, banana leaves and flower petals lie on the floor. To the right two young men in orange robes stand with hands folded in prayer. An empty red and gold throne stands at left.2014-06-28Indoor ritual at a shrine room with a wooden floor and a gold-and-maroon throne at left. A bare-chested priest in a maroon dhoti and maroon turban stands centre, holding a silver tray with a red cloth, beside a brick fire pit (homa kunda) with flames and offerings. Three statues stand on a purple-draped altar with white and red flower garlands: a deity murti in white dhoti at centre flanked by two figures in maroon. Two monks in saffron robes stand at right, one with hands folded in namaskar. Brass vessels, banana leaves, flower garlands and a plate of offerings sit on the floor.2014-06-28