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A night homa ritual in an open-sided hall. A priest in an orange-brown dhoti and orange head cloth, bare-chested with gold bangles, holds a lit oil lamp toward a shrine. The shrine holds a deity murti draped in yellow and orange marigold garlands, with a large gold cobra hood above it. A fire pit blazes with smoke, surrounded by brass vessels, fruit, flower offerings and a ladle. On the right, a figure in red-brown robes sits on a red velvet throne with gold trim, hands folded near the face, and a second robed figure stands behind with palms joined. A pedestal fan and a small framed deity picture hang in the background.

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October 06 20132013-10-06Night-time homa at an open-air outdoor setting. A large fire blazes in a golden-edged square fire pit in the centre, with smoke rising. Behind it stands a deity murti with a golden multi-hooded naga canopy, decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands. To the left, a standing man in an orange-brown dhoti and an orange head wrap holds a ladle over the fire. At right, a seated man in orange-brown robes sits on an ornate red and gold throne with hands folded in prayer, and a woman in a brown robe stands beside him with hands joined. Brass vessels, flower offerings, red petals, and a small framed deity picture sit around the fire pit.2013-10-06A night-time homa at an open-air ritual site. In the centre a fire blazes in a stepped yellow-brown fire pit, with smoke rising. Behind it stands a tall golden cobra-hood canopy above a deity murti draped in yellow and orange marigold garlands. To the left, a priest in a rust-orange dhoti and matching turban holds a lit lamp toward the altar. On the right, a person in rust-orange robes sits on an ornate red and gold throne-style chair, hands pressed together, while another robed attendant stands behind with hands folded. Trays of fruit, flowers, kumkum and brass vessels lie on the floor, and a standing fan is visible.2013-10-06A night-time homa ritual in an open-sided hall thick with smoke. A fire burns in a stepped golden-brown yajna kund at centre, with brass vessels, flower offerings and red petals around its base. Behind it stands a large deity murti adorned with yellow marigold garlands, beneath a hooded cobra canopy. To the left, a man in an orange headcloth and orange dhoti holds a small lamp or ladle toward the fire. On the right, a seated figure in a red-and-gold throne wears a maroon-orange robe, hands folded in prayer, with a white cloth at his hand. A second robed attendant in maroon stands with hands folded near a standing fan. A small framed picture of a deity hangs on the wall at left. Visible people: about four.2013-10-06Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual platform: a large open fire blazes in a stone fire pit in front of a decorated altar with a golden multi-hooded cobra canopy over a deity murti garlanded with marigolds and white flowers. A shaved-headed man in an orange-saffron robe and orange turban kneels beside the fire holding a brass plate of offerings. Another man in orange-saffron robes sits with palms pressed together. A person in a red-and-saffron robe sits barefoot on a red and gold throne-style chair at right, hands near a small object. A standing fan and brass vessels are visible. Scattered rose petals cover the floor.2013-10-06Night outdoor ritual in an open pavilion. A priest in orange robes kneels at a fire pit, tending a flame with a ladle-like vessel beside brass bowls. Behind him, a large golden cobra hood canopy rises over a deity murti dressed in red and draped with yellow and red marigold garlands; the murti sits on a decorated altar with a purple cloth. A second garlanded figure stands beside it. On the right, a man in orange robes sits with palms pressed together on an ornate red-cushioned golden throne-like chair, with another orange-robed person seated with hands folded beside him. Offerings of flowers, fruit and rice lie on banana leaves in the foreground, and a fan stands among potted plants. Several devotees are visible at the bottom edge. A fire pit ritual such as a homa is depicted.2013-10-06October 06 20132013-10-06A night homa in an open-sided pavilion. A standing priest in an orange-saffron dhoti with a matching orange turban and gold-bordered cloth pours an offering from a silver vessel into a rising fire on a stepped stone fire pit. Smoke fills the air. Behind the fire, a figure seated on a red upholstered throne with gold trim and a gold-bordered back is partly visible, wearing orange-saffron clothing and a chain. To the left, floral garlands hang on a decorated deity murti altar with white flower decorations. Brass pots and bowls sit on the stone steps, with scattered flower petals, stacked firewood, and yellow cloth bags at the lower left. A fan stands beside the throne.2013-10-13October 06 20132013-10-06A night-time homa or fire ritual in an open outdoor courtyard. A large blazing fire pit stands at centre, with marigold and jasmine garlands draped on a deity murti with a multi-hooded cobra hood behind it. To the right, a man in saffron-red robes sits on an ornate red throne with gold trim, and a young attendant in orange robes sits cross-legged beside him reading or holding a text. Behind them an elderly bald man in white sits with hands folded. Offerings of bananas, fruit, red flowers and kumkum are arranged on plates and trays in the foreground, and a brass pot stands near the throne. Smoke drifts across the dark background, a small framed deity picture is on the left wall, and a few devotees are visible at the lower edge.2013-10-06Night-time temple ritual under a open-sided shed. In the foreground a priest with long braided hair and a reddish-brown dhoti with gold border bends over a square fire pit where a tall flame rises, tending it with a ladle-like tool, with brass vessels and a kalasha-like cup nearby. Behind him stands a decorated deity murti under a silver arched canopy, draped with garlands of purple, orange and yellow flowers, sitting on a bull-like vahana and a red cloth. To the right a seated woman in a red-orange sari with folded hands performs namaskar in an orange armchair. Homa fire ritual setting with flowers and brass lamps around.2014-11-25Night-time homa at an outdoor shrine under a corrugated roof. A fire burns in a stone fire pit with smoke rising. Behind it a golden cobra hood canopy stands over a deity murti garlanded with yellow marigolds, beside a table draped in purple and blue cloth also decorated with marigold garlands. A man in an orange-red robe and turban sits on a red and gold throne, holding a ritual vessel, while a second man in an orange-red dhoti and turban stands at right holding a silver plate. Banana leaves, flower petals, brass vessels and offerings lie on the orange cloth in front.2013-10-06