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A night-time ritual at a homa fire pit in front of a large deity murti setting. A priest in white dhoti with a red border kneels at a square white stone fire pit, tending it, with a bronze bowl beside him. Standing behind him are several people: a woman in a pale yellow sari on the left, and men in white kurtas and dress shirts with lanyards. Behind the pit, ornate decorated deity figures are visible, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion and a ganesha figure, with white lace-like decorations and flower garlands. Brass oil lamps burn on the altar, and fruit and flowers are arranged on metal plates in the foreground. Bright lights illuminate the scene.

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October 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor homa at a temple-like pandal with a white square fire pit in the foreground. A man in white dhoti and white shirt with a sacred thread bends over the pit, tending the fire, with smoke rising. Behind stand four people: a woman in a yellow sari on the left, and three men in white and cream shirts with lanyards. Behind the pit are large colourful deity murtis of a goddess with many arms, a lion mount, and an elephant-headed deity. Brass oil lamps burn, and plates of fruit, coconuts, lemons and flowers lie on white cloth. Orange and white bunting and a white-bordered striped mat complete the setting.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A photograph of a homa or fire ritual in a temple hall beside a row of deity murtis, including a goddess figure in white and red with a multi-armed form. A priest in white dhoti and shirt with a maroon border kneels and tends a square fire pit, with smoke rising. Standing behind him to the left are several men in white kurtas and a man in a khaki shirt with a lanyard, watching. Brass oil lamps, kalashas, brass plates of offerings, bananas, and an umbrella canopy with a tassel frame the altar, and orange and multicolour banners hang from the roof. No a person candidate is visible.2010-10-15A homa ritual in a temple hall at night. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and a white upper cloth, wearing a gold-coloured necklace, sits with joined palms beside a square white fire pit, fire trench empty of flame. Behind him a row of deity murtis stand under a tall decorated canopy, including a goddess with many arms holding weapons and a lion mount, and a gilded and white-adorned figure garlanded in red. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style brass vessel and trays of fruit (apples, oranges, limes, bananas) sit on white cloth in the foreground. Four men in white and yellow dhotis and shirts stand watching at the left. Saffron-orange drapery frames the scene.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A night-time ritual at a homa or yagna pit: a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha-style necklace sits cross-legged before a square white-edged fire pit, hands folded in namaskar. Behind him a woman in a pale yellow sari and three men in white stand with hands joined, one holding a camera. Brass plates of mangoes, bananas, lemons, apples and coconuts lie on a white cloth in the foreground, with brass lamps and kalasha vessels nearby. Behind the pit is a large deity murti group with a goddess in red and white adornments, a lion, and smaller figures decorated with white flower garlands under a fringed canopy.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and bare upper body kneels with palms joined in prayer before a black-topped white stone altar during a puja. Behind him stands a richly decorated shrine with a large image of a goddess with multiple arms and a Ganesha figure, surrounded by ornate umbrellas, white floral garlands and brass lamps. Standing to the left are a woman in a pale yellow sari and three men in white shirts and dhotis, also with hands folded. Offerings of fruit, lemons, bananas, brass bowls and a bell lie on the altar cloth in front.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time homa ritual before a large goddess deity murti with multiple raised arms, a lion mount, and a ganesha figure to the left. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested, stands at a square white fire pit (homa kunda) holding a ladle and offering into the flame. Two women in white and cream saris sit at left among trays of mangoes, coconuts, marigold and red flower petals, and a plate of sweets. String lights and tall ornate pillars decorate the open-air canopy, and a red cushioned seat is at right. No candidate for a person is visible, so the image shows only the priest and attendees.2010-10-12