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A photo of a ritual homa at an indoor puja hall. In the foreground, a yellow-brick fire altar stands on green cloth, with brass vessels, a silver bowl, flower garlands and fruit arranged around it. Behind the altar, two metal deity murtis wearing green and maroon garlands stand on a gilded pedestal. A seated priest in saffron robes sits with hands folded, and a second man in white ritual dress with a shaved head and bead necklaces sits beside him. Behind them, women in saris, including one in pink and yellow, sit watching the ceremony. Decorative green and red garlands hang along the walls.

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A night homa in an outdoor pandal. A large fire burns inside a square pit built from yellow-brown bricks dusted with turmeric powder, set on green cloth. Two deity murti stand behind, garlanded with yellow and white flowers, one on a gold-finished peetha. At left, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold necklaces sits before a microphone and speaks. At right, two priests in saffron-orange cloths with rudraksha-style beaded necklaces tend the offerings. Brass and silver vessels, a bowl of fruit, betel leaves and coconuts lie on the cloth. Devotees sit behind a white barrier, and strings of lights glow in the background.2011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20December 08 20112011-12-08December 20 20112011-12-20Night outdoor ritual with a homa fire. In the foreground, a bald priest in white dhoti sits at left holding a microphone and reading from a book. At right, a bare-chested man in saffron-orange cloth with rudraksha mala gestures toward a pyramid of yellow bricks stacked around a burning fire with coconuts and offerings. Behind, two deity murtis in red and gold garments with yellow marigold garlands stand on a gold palanquin-like platform, with devotees and a crowd beyond a barrier at night.2011-12-08December 20 20112011-12-20Night outdoor homa at an open-air ritual ground. A bald priest in orange ochre robe sits cross-legged at right, arm extended over a square fire pit built of stacked yellow bricks with a flame inside. Left, a priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold necklace sits with an open book and microphone. Behind, two deity murtis with yellow flower garlands stand on a golden pedestal, and a crowd of devotees in white and light clothing watches from behind orange barrier cloth. Brass bowls of green chillies, grains and coconut sit in the foreground beside a bell and oil lamps.2011-12-08December 20 20112011-12-20A night-time homa at an outdoor stage with a large fire rising from a brick-and-gold fire altar draped in green leaves. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with gold necklace and bangles sits at left beside a microphone and a small golden stand. At right, a young man in saffron-orange cloth and rudraksha-style beads pours from a brass vessel toward the flames. Behind the altar stand two decorated deity murti figures with garlands, and offerings of fruit and banana leaves lie in the foreground. A painted temple facade with golden arches and a crowd of seated devotees forms the backdrop.2011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20