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A photo of a temple-style ritual hall decorated with yellow marigold garlands and banana plants. In the foreground, a square golden homa fire pit with a smoking flame sits on a striped multicoloured mat, with bowls of rice, fruit and offerings nearby. Several priests in orange-saffron dhotis and garlands stand and kneel around it; one at left holds a conch-like object and another at centre pours or tends the fire. On the right, an ornate gold-framed shrine holds a deity murti adorned with flower garlands, and a standing figure in orange robes stands beside it. Kalasha-style vessels and a decorated canopy complete the scene.

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A photograph of a ritual fire homa inside a decorated tent hall at night. A square golden fire pit with a bright flame sits on a striped multicoloured rug, with brass vessels, fruit and white offerings nearby. Several men in orange and saffron garments, some with bare upper bodies and rudraksha malas, stand and kneel around the fire; one kneels at the pit tending it. A seated figure in orange at the left and a man in a yellow-and-white decorated throne-like seat sit near the edge. To the right, a richly decorated shrine holds a deity murti draped in marigold garlands beside a gilded arch. Yellow marigold strings hang from the ceiling and banana plants flank the scene.2016-12-19A night-time homa at a covered outdoor pavilion hung with yellow marigold garlands and small oil lamps. In the centre a rectangular golden fire pit burns with tall flames, surrounded by brass plates of offerings. A bare-chested priest in an orange dhoti stands at left holding a ritual item, and another orange-clad attendant stands near the fire. Behind, a seated figure in white with a red-and-white garland sits before an ornate silver-and-gold heart-shaped throne-arch decorated with yellow flowers. At right, a richly garlanded deity murti sits in a golden shrine with a crown and flower garlands, and a striped multicoloured mat covers the floor. Several people in orange and white clothing are visible in the background.2016-12-19A night homa in a covered open-sided pavilion. At center, a golden square fire pit with flames and smoke rises from it. Behind it sits a bearded man in a rust-orange cloth with a white garland, seated on an ornate silver-and-gold throne with a heart-shaped back and a decorated canopy above. Around the fire, several men in saffron and orange dhotis and shawls stand and kneel, some holding ritual objects. To the left, a seated figure in an orange robe and orange turban sits on a red cushioned seat. On the right, a golden shrine arch holds a deity murti draped in flower garlands, flanked by a standing attendant in orange with a gold necklace. Yellow marigold garlands hang across the top, banana plants stand nearby, and brass offering plates with fruit and flowers sit on a colourful striped rug in the foreground. Overall the scene shows about ten to twelve people.2016-12-19A night-time ritual homa at a festival pandal decorated with yellow marigold garlands, banana leaves and striped mats. In the foreground a square fire pit with a rising plume of smoke sits before seated figures; a bearded man in a saffron-brown garment with a rudraksha mala sits on a peetha beneath a heart-shaped ornate backdrop. To the right, several priests in orange and ochre dhotis stand near a richly garlanded deity murti on an elevated altar, one holding a brass vessel. A decorated throne-like seat with a parasol-style canopy stands in the background. Several people are visible, most in saffron or ochre attire.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a decorated pandal. A square raised wooden fire pit with a smoking fire sits centrally on a floor covered in striped purple, green and multicoloured mats. Four men stand on the left wearing bare chests, orange dhotis and rudraksha malas; one holds a plate of offerings and others stand with hands together. A seated person in dark clothing is near the far left. On the right, deity murtis are adorned with yellow and red marigold garlands, with a golden shrine framed by a yellow flower canopy overhead. Brass pots, plates of rice and oil lamps sit near the pit. Smoke rises through spotlight beams under a white tent roof.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A night-time temple-style ritual in a canopied hall. A fire pit with a burning flame sits centre stage on a stepped golden platform. Around it, several priests in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, with rudraksha malas, perform the rites, one holding a small object near the fire. A decorated deity murti stands on a garlanded altar at right, with marigold and yellow flower garlands, banana plants and a kalasha-like arrangement nearby. Striped multicolour cloths cover the floor, with brass plates of offerings, flowers and a basket of petals in front. A man in white and a bare-chested priest stand at right, with the homa setting dominated by yellow marigold garlands overhead.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a decorated temple tent. Four priests in saffron-orange dhotis with bare upper bodies and ochre-marked skin stand around a square golden fire pit containing a flame. Two priests on the left hold ritual items and face the fire with hands folded, one in front of a kalasha-topped structure. A priest in the centre tends the fire. On the right, a deity murti is adorned with garlands of orange and yellow marigolds and a crown, set in a gilded shrine arch. Banana plants, hanging yellow flower strands, lamps and a colourful striped mat cover the floor, with plates of rice and offerings in the foreground. No clearly identifiable a person figure is visible.2016-12-19A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated tent at night. A square golden fire pit with flames and smoke sits in the centre, surrounded by brass plates of offerings, flower petals and fruit on a striped cloth. A seated man in a brown-orange robe with a garland sits on an ornate golden throne with a gold and red patterned backrest, facing the fire. Standing priests wear saffron and orange dhotis; one holds a long ceremonial staff near the throne. To the right, a golden shrine-like canopy is hung with yellow marigold garlands, and a deity-like murti or decorated figure sits with flower garlands. A standing woman in an orange sari stands at right holding an offering. Banana leaves and yellow flower strings decorate the tent ceiling.2016-12-19A photograph of an outdoor-style temple hall under a tarpaulin roof with hanging yellow marigold garlands, banana leaves and small hanging lamps. A large fire pit burns brightly on a golden platform in the left foreground, with a seated figure in orange-brown clothing and a red-garlanded figure beyond it. On the right, a deity murti adorned with flower garlands and ornaments sits within a decorated arched shrine, and a priest in saffron-yellow dhoti stands beside it offering or adjusting flowers. Colourful striped cloth covers the floor. The scene suggests a homa or puja.2016-12-19A night-time ritual in a decorated pavilion with a tiered golden fire platform at center, from which a tall flame rises. A man with a shaved head and a tilak, wearing an orange cloth, stands at the fire pouring an offering from a bowl. To the left, a man in orange robes with a microphone sits before an ornate silver-and-gold seat. Behind the fire, a golden arched shrine holds a deity murti adorned with garlands. Strings of yellow marigold garlands hang across the ceiling, with small lamps and a banana plant nearby. Striped mats cover the floor, and a silver plate with white offerings sits in the foreground. A figure in a turban and gold necklace sits to the right beside a decorated shrine. The scene suggests a homa with a fire offering.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19