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A photograph of a Vedic Rudra homa in progress on a green mat inside a temple hall. A large fire blazes in a square pit of stacked golden bricks at center, with brass plates of offerings and flowers nearby. A priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body stands at left tending the fire, while seated priests in white garments and orange or red shawls chant at right near microphones. A large decorated shrine with a tiered kalasha-like altar and colourful deity murti fills the background. Several seated devotees in white clothes watch in the foreground, including a woman in white with a red border. A single figure in orange robes stands at far right near the shrine.

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A large open-air ritual hall during a Rudra Homa, with a bright fire blazing in a central brick fire pit surrounded by offering trays, bowls and flowers. Several priests in white dhotis and orange-red shawls tend the fire, one bare-chested in a green-and-orange wrap, another holding a long ceremonial implement. Behind them stand colourful deity murtis in illuminated niches and gold-arched shrines. Rows of seated devotees in white clothes and orange-red shawls sit on green mats, watching the homa. Two musicians play instruments at the right edge.2016-07-02July 02 20162016-07-02 +1 copiesPhotograph 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 02 20162016-07-02A seated congregation in white clothes with red shawls fills the foreground, many with hands pressed together in prayer. In the centre, a fire pit built of stacked brick-like blocks has a flame burning in it, with flower garlands and offering plates arranged around it. Two priests stand bare-chested in white dhotis beside an ornate golden deity murti under a decorated canopy at right. Behind the seated devotees, many standing spectators watch the homa in a pillared hall with green mats underfoot.2016-07-02July 04 20162016-07-04A photograph of an outdoor Vedic fire ritual on a green mat. A central homa fire blazes inside a square pit of stacked brick-like yellow blocks decorated with red flowers. A priest in white dhoti, bare-chested and with a yellow-and-orange cloth on his shoulder, stands bent over the fire with a ladle, while a man in orange and white vestments sits beside the pit. Metal plates, bowls, brass vessels and a covered pot sit in front. Behind, rows of seated participants in white with orange and red shawls watch, and a deity murti stands on an ornate pink-and-teal platform decorated with flowers. A musician with a wind instrument sits at the right edge.2016-07-02July 17 20152015-07-17July 04 20132013-07-04July 17 20152015-07-17Outdoor photo of a Rudra Homa fire ritual on a green mat under a canopy. A bright fire burns in a stepped brick fire pit at left, surrounded by yellow-brick offerings with marigold and red flowers. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands with hands joined near the fire, while seated priests in white and one in orange clothes chant at microphones. Behind them, a tall decorated golden peetha and ornate temple-style deity murtis with garlands fill the background. In the foreground at right, a person with long dreadlock-style hair wears a red and orange garment and a flower garland, sitting on a red chair with palms pressed together in prayer, facing the homa. Several devotees in white stand in rows behind, watching the ritual.2016-07-02July 04 20162016-07-04