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Night-time outdoor ritual photograph. A large golden naga (serpent hood) canopy stands at left over a deity murti draped in flower garlands of yellow and red blossoms. Centre: a purple-draped altar piled with yellow marigold garlands, where a sacred fire is burning. At right, a man in an orange-brown dhoti and orange-brown head wrap stands bare-chested, pouring from a metal vessel into a fire pit with a bright flame. Behind him, a woman in an orange sari stands with hands folded, and another person in white stands near a metal vessel, with a few other figures in the background, consistent with a homa or abhishekam.

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October 07 20132013-10-07Night outdoor ritual before a golden five-headed cobra hood above a deity murti decorated with yellow and white marigold garlands. A man in a rust-orange unstitched robe stands at right with palms pressed together in namaskar beside a flaming fire pit sending up smoke. A purple-and-turquoise draped table holds more garlanded murtis and offerings wrapped in red, purple and gold cloth. Several women in saris and salwar kameez stand with folded hands on a raised stage behind.2013-10-08A night homa at an outdoor stone platform: a fire burns in a rectangular fire pit in the foreground while a priest in a rust-orange wrap and orange head cloth sits at left, feeding it with a ladle from a brass bowl. Behind the fire, a deity murti dressed in pink and gold cloth and wrapped in yellow and orange marigold garlands sits on a purple-and-blue draped platform, under a large golden cobra-hooded canopy. Several people in white and pink garments stand on the steps and in the background. Brass vessels and plates of offerings lie on the ground.2013-10-07Night photo of a homa at an outdoor stage. A large golden hooded cobra canopy (naga) rises above a deity murti decorated with yellow marigold garlands, and a blue cloth covers the altar base. A fire blazes in a stone fire pit in the foreground, with brass vessels, a bowl and offerings nearby. A man with an orange turban and orange-brown cloth sits cross-legged at left, holding a ladle over the fire with a rudraksha mala at his wrist. Behind the altar, several people in white shirts and pants, a woman in a grey sari and women in pink salwar stand and watch. A kalasha and small garland-decorated murtis flank the altar. Hindu homa-yagna ritual.2013-10-07October 07 20132013-10-07October 08 20132013-10-08October 08 20132013-10-08A night-time ritual at a fire pit (homa) in front of a deity murti shaded by a large golden naga hood, with the murti garlanded in yellow flowers and draped in pink cloth on a blue-and-purple covered platform. In the foreground a priest in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a tied orange headcloth, pours from a silver vessel into the flames. On the right a person in a rust-red robe with a bare arm bandage holds a brass bowl of petals and flowers. Behind them a line of people in white and red-brown garments stands on steps, watching. Smoke rises through the scene, and flowers are scattered on the floor.2013-10-08Night outdoor homa at a temple-style platform. A man in orange-saffron robes and a saffron head wrap stands at left, bare-chested with a shawl, pouring or offering something from a small vessel toward the fire. A large fire burns in a metal yagna pit in the foreground, with brass pots, a silver kalasha-style vessel and offering plates on the floor. Behind is a raised altar draped in blue cloth with flower garlands on deity murti, one under a golden multi-hooded naga canopy. Seated devotees and a woman in a pink sari stand in the background.2013-10-07October 08 20132013-10-08Night homa at a fire pit in front of a decorated altar. A priest in an orange-red dhoti and matching shawl, with a saffron-yellow turban, stands at the left tending the flames with a ladle. Behind the blazing fire, an ornate murti is garlanded with yellow and orange marigolds on a purple-draped platform, with a golden canopy above. Brass vessels, a bell, and banana leaves sit on the floor in front. Several figures in white and pink saris stand in the background, along with others in the shadows near the steps.2013-10-07Night-time ritual on stone steps before a fire pit. A large golden cobra hood (naga) with five raised heads stands over a deity murti decorated with yellow marigold garlands and a pink cloth. A man in a maroon-red robe and a white bundle held in both hands stands to the right beside the flames, eyes lowered. Behind the altar, several people in white dhotis and orange-red shawls and women in pale saris stand with palms pressed together. Brass vessels, a bell and offering plates sit on the platform, with a rising flame in the foreground.2013-10-08