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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.

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A 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-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 pandal with a striped multicolour cloth floor. A square golden fire pit with a rising flame sits in the foreground with offerings and brass vessels nearby. Three young priests with bare upper bodies, orange cloths and rudraksha necklaces sit at left, one tending the fire. Behind them a large ornate golden throne with a cobra-hood canopy and yellow marigold garlands stands empty of any clearly identifiable figure, and a deity murti draped in garlands sits on a golden seat at centre. At right a gold-framed shrine holds a murti adorned with flower garlands. Banana plants and hanging lamps decorate the hall.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19Night-time ritual in a open-sided pavilion with a striped rug floor. A wooden square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground surrounded by white flower petals and small offering trays of fruit and sweets. Behind it, several men in orange and saffron dhotis stand near decorated shrines draped with yellow and orange marigold garlands, a banana plant, and a brass lamp stand. A standing priest in an orange dhoti and bare upper body holds a ritual implement near the fire. A seated figure in a brown robe with a garland sits on an ornate gilded throne with a canopy. A decorated deity murti stands in a shrine on the right, adorned with flower garlands. The scene suggests a homa or yagna ceremony.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a covered hall at night. A fire burns in a raised golden fire pit in the foreground, with offerings and a brass bowl of flowers nearby. A man in an orange dhoti and shawl stands at the left holding a microphone on a stand, while a seated man in a brown robe with a purple garland sits on an ornate golden-and-black throne behind him. On the right, a deity murti decorated with yellow and white garlands sits in a golden shrine arch, and a banana plant, a yellow flower garland strung across the ceiling, and hanging lamps complete the setting. A colourful striped mat covers the floor. Several people in orange and white attire stand near the shrine.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 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.2016-12-19A night-time homa in a covered pavilion. A fire burns in a square golden fire pit at centre-front, surrounded by brass plates of offerings and flower garlands. Behind it, a bearded man with long hair in a rust-orange shawl and rudraksha-style beads sits on an ornate golden throne with a red cushion and a decorated peetha. To the right, a golden-framed shrine holds a deity murti draped in white and yellow garlands with a lit lamp. Yellow marigold garlands hang across the ceiling, and a priest in orange dhoti stands at the far right near the shrine with a flower-decorated kalasha. A standing attendant in an orange dhoti and gold necklace stands at left, and another figure in white sits near a banana plant. Colourful striped mats cover the floor.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 20162016-12-19A photograph of a ceremonial ritual inside a decorated open pavilion with a striped multicoloured cloth covering the floor. A man seated on an ornate silver-and-white peetha/throne at left wears a saffron-orange shawl and a rudraksha mala, with a tall coloured parasol above him. Beside a large burning fire pit (homa/yagna), a second robed figure in white sits near the fire. At right, a woman in an orange sari holds a lamp before a richly decorated shrine with a deity murti adorned with garlands of yellow and red flowers. Banana leaves, hanging yellow marigold garlands and small oil lamps decorate the roof. Several people are visible in the background.2016-12-19