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A photograph of a ritual fire ceremony inside a hall with a red floor and flower-garlanded brick platform. A fire burns in a rectangular brick fire pit, with a log on the left and a copper vessel with offerings on the platform. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders bend over the fire, one in a red shawl; a third man stands on the right in white dhoti and gold-bordered cloth with a rudraksha-style necklace. Behind them a figure in orange wrap and a seated musician with drum are visible. A large purple and gold ornate umbrella hangs above the fire, with a trident and ceremonial items beside it. A seated figure on the left wears a crown-like headdress, rudraksha mala and flower garland, surrounded by brass vessels, garlands and offerings.

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April 14 20182018-04-14A photograph of a fire ritual inside a hall with red floor and marigold garlands. At the centre, a brick-lined fire pit with a burning flame sits on a golden-brick platform decorated with flower garlands. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with gold borders stands at the fire holding a white offering bundle with pink flowers, wearing a maroon turban and red shawl. Beside him, another bare-chested man in white dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth holds a flower-decorated tray. A large ornate purple-and-gold ceremonial umbrella stands behind the fire, and banana stalks, brass vessels and a woven basket are arranged around the platform. Several other men in ritual dress stand nearby.2018-04-14A ritual homa at a temple hall where a fire burns in a brick-lined pit with flower-decorated bricks and a copper pot nearby. A bare-chested priest in a yellow shawl pours an offering from a ladle while others in white and orange dhotis stand around. A man in orange-yellow clothing with a long beard and rudraksha-style beads stands to the right of the fire, and a devotee in a white sari with folded hands watches. Fresh garlands and marigold strands drape a decorated altar with fruit and flower offerings, and colourful umbrellas hang above. Nearby, a man in orange holds a bell and another carries a tray of red flowers and fruit. A woman in orange kneels at the fire pit tending the bricks, and a copper vessel rests on the floor.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA ritual homa at a temple hall decorated with marigold garlands and hanging umbrellas. In the foreground a fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit beside offering vessels and coconuts. Several men in white dhotis with bare upper bodies and gold-coloured necklaces perform the rites, one bending low over the fire. Behind them, a crowd of people in orange and saffron clothing stands among pillars, and a colourful floral-decorated palanquin or ratha stands to the right. A large ornate umbrella and floral arrangements complete the setting. The scene is the Sadashiva Mandapam inauguration at the Sri Nithyanandeshwara Devasthanam, Bengaluru.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A temple ritual inside a pillared hall decorated with marigold garlands and red and purple fabric. In the foreground a fire pit with burning logs and oil lamps sits on a raised platform decked with flowers and offerings. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with yellow borders stand at the fire; one holds a ceremonial implement and the other raises a hand. A third priest in white stands behind them with a rudraksha mala. On the right, a red and gold canopy with flower garlands shelters a seated deity murti on a purple cushion beside brass vessels. Devotees in orange and saffron robes stand in the background, and a golden umbrella hangs overhead. The scene resembles a homa or puja.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa or yagna at a temple hall. A fire burns in a brick fire pit decorated with marigold garlands on the left. Five men stand or kneel around it, most bare-chested in white dhotis with gold borders and gold necklaces; one kneeling man wears a purple-red turban and mala and tends the fire. On the right, a flower-decorated palanquin or deity canopy with marigold and jasmine garlands, pink and purple cloths, coconuts, brass vessels and a woven basket of offerings sits beside an orange-clad man with garlands who folds his hands. Strings of marigolds hang from the ceiling and red and paper lanterns decorate the hall. No candidate for a person is clearly visible.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14