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A ceremonial homa at night in an open outdoor pavilion. A visible fire burns in a tiered brick fire pit, surrounded by yellow-orange offerings and a small mound of grain. Behind it stands an ornate, colourful decorated altar with a kalasha-like pot topped with flowers and garlands. Several men in white dhotis and shawls, some shirtless with green or red cloths and rudraksha, sit on the grass chanting and performing the fire ritual. Golden-lit deity murtis flank the back wall, and onlookers sit in the foreground, some in white and orange saris. Brass vessels and microphones are visible.

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July 04 20162016-07-04July 04 20162016-07-04A photograph of a night homa in a decorated tent hall. A large fire burns in a brick fire pit, its stepped brick base decorated with flowers, with a tiered ornate shrine behind it. Several men in white dhotis sit cross-legged around the fire, one bare-chested with a sacred thread, and one in an orange wrap and white dhoti stands at the right. Brass pots, bowls, flowers and a basket of grains sit on the ground in front, with microphones on stands near the men. Illuminated golden shrines with deity murti line the back of the hall, with colourful hanging tassels above. Several people in white and a few in red and orange sit in the background, with a few other figures standing nearby.2016-07-04July 04 20162016-07-04July 04 20162016-07-04 +1 copiesJuly 04 20162016-07-04A night-time homa ritual at an outdoor temple-style pavilion. A brick fire pit with a bright flame sits at the centre, surrounded by offerings of flowers, grains and brass vessels. Priests in white dhotis sit on the ground; one bare-chested priest wears a green cloth and a white sacred thread, pouring offerings into the fire. Behind the fire stands a tiered decorated ratha-like altar with garlands, carved lions and a lotus base. Illuminated deity murti line the walls. Several musicians in white and saffron sit with microphones at right. Seated devotees in white and red shawls watch at left and front.2016-07-04 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an outdoor ritual site: a flaming fire pit of brick and stone sits in the foreground, with a tiered decorated altar behind it draped in marigold garlands, fruit and a lion-headed pedestal. Several priests sit on green mats in white dhotis; one wears a green sash and bare chest, another an orange shawl, and others sit cross-legged holding ritual vessels and a microphone stand. Illuminated deity figures and gold-painted shrine arches frame the background. No a person candidate is clearly identifiable from appearance, so the figures are described by role only.2016-07-04Photograph of a Rudra Homa fire ritual in a temple courtyard with a green mat floor. A large sacred fire burns in a square homa kund in the foreground, surrounded by stacked wooden offerings and flower garlands. Behind it stands an ornate golden and pink temple structure with deity murtis in niches. Seated participants in white clothes and red-orange shawls sit in rows facing the fire, many with hands folded. On the right, a bare-chested priest with a shawl and rudraksha-style beads sits at microphones, chanting, while another priest in a white dhoti stands nearby. A man in an orange shawl with a bead necklace sits at the right edge beside the chanting priests. Around 25 people are visible.2016-07-02July 04 20162016-07-04Outdoor ritual homa at a temple-style pavilion. A square brick fire pit with a central fire is decorated with marigold petals and garlands. Around it, six men in white dhotis sit on the grass and mats, several bare-chested with rudraksha malas, chanting into microphones. One sits with folded hands before a plate of flowers and offerings. A standing man in an orange shawl stands behind the group. Behind them, a tall decorated shrine with garlands and gold-lit deity murtis in niches under a green-and-gold canopy. Plates of flowers, brass vessels, rice and dry straw bundles lie in front. No figure is clearly identifiable as a person.2016-07-04July 02 20162016-07-02 +1 copies