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A temple courtyard ritual with a homa fire pit built from stacked brown bricks, smoke rising from the embers. Two priests sit on the orange cloth at left: one bald and bare-chested with a sacred thread, the other in white dhoti with a white shawl, tending the fire and offerings. Several garlanded deity murtis stand on coloured cloths of pink, teal, orange and blue, with brass kalasha pots holding green leaves and coconuts in front. Orange curtains hang at the sides, a large decorated deity shrine with floral garlands stands at the back, and a few figures sit in the background near a red-and-white painted wall.

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December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A photograph inside an open-sided temple hall with an orange-painted wall and corrugated roof. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at a fire pit, raising a lit lamp or ritual vessel. Around the fire, seated devotees in simple clothes take part in a homa, with brass and steel bowls of food and offerings on orange cloth. Behind them, a row of deity murtis draped with garlands and white and orange cloth sits on platforms with gold kalashas. A large gilded throne stands empty at left. On the right, a woman in a yellow-and-white sari operates a video camera on a tripod beside a woman in an orange sari.2010-12-26Inside an open-sided temple hall with orange walls and a corrugated roof, a homa is performed in front of a shrine. A priest in a saffron-toned garment sits behind a small brick fire pit with a flame, while a seated priest in white and a few devotees in orange and white clothing sit on orange and blue mats. Brass kalasha pots with mango leaves stand on a pedestal in front of the shrine, where decorated deity murtis are garlanded with white flowers and sit on orange and blue cloths. Seated devotees in the foreground wear white flower garlands. At left, a cameraperson in white clothing films beside an ornate golden throne with a red cushion, and a person in saffron stands near the doorway. Four to six people are visible.2010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A photograph of a homa being performed in an open temple courtyard. In the left foreground a small brick fire pit burns with flames, surrounded by bowls of grains, pulses and offerings. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a sacred thread stands at left, holding a ritual item. Several deity murtis, adorned with garlands of white flowers and dressed in orange, red, blue and purple cloths, are arranged on a raised platform with brass kalasha pots bearing mango leaves. Orange curtains frame the scene, and a brass lamp stand sits in the right foreground. Two seated devotees in the lower left, one in a yellow top, watch with palms pressed together. A saffron-trimmed red and white building stands behind.2010-12-26A photograph of an outdoor ritual space with an orange-washed wall and a corrugated awning. In the centre a standing priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit camphor or oil flame toward the deity shrine. Seated on orange cloth in front, devotees with hands folded include a bald man in orange-and-white clothing, a woman in a green sari, and a woman in a brown sari. A small square fire pit with burning wood sits in front of them, surrounded by brass kalashas, steel bowls of food and fruit. On the right, several figurines and deity murtis are garlanded with white flowers, with a bright gold-and-red decorated shrine and yellow cloth behind. A gilded throne with red cushion stands empty on the left.2010-12-26December 23 20102010-12-23A photo of a homa in an orange-walled temple hall. A woman in a white sari with a red border stands at center, holding a lit lamp or flame toward the fire pit, which is built from brick with burning embers. Seated devotees in the foreground, including a shaved-headed man in white and a woman in a cream top, sit with hands folded in prayer. Behind them, deity murtis adorned with fresh flower garlands sit on a raised shrine with yellow and red cloth, and brass kalasha pots with mango leaves and coconuts line the floor. A gold-carved throne stands empty at left, and orange and striped cloths hang behind the altar.2010-12-26