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Night photograph of an outdoor stage during a fire ritual. A bright homa fire burns in a raised fire pit at the centre, tended by a priest in white dhoti with an orange-red turban and bare upper body, seated before the flames. Standing to the left, several young men in white dhotis, bare-chested, with sacred threads, hold their hands folded in prayer. Behind them, a woman in an orange-red sari stands near a figure in white. Large decorated deity murtis with flower garlands, white and gold, are framed by ornate arches. A dense crowd sits on the ground in the foreground. A projected screen at upper left shows a world map with glowing green points and text, and a tall painted pillar stands at upper right.

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October 10 20162016-10-10Night ritual at a stage-like altar with a large blazing fire pit (homa) in the centre. Several bare-chested young men in white and orange-red dhotis stand at left holding ritual items, while a priest in white sits before the flames. To the right a kneeling figure with a long braid and a dark garment works at a brass lamp and offering stand. Behind the fire are large white floral arches and painted deity murtis, with a green-and-white banner overhead and a projected world map at upper left. Dense crowd of devotees sits in the foreground.2016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10A night-time outdoor ritual on a raised stage, with a bright fire pit burning at centre. A shaved-headed priest in an orange-red cloth crouches beside the fire, tending it. Behind him stand two figures in orange and white dhotis, one holding a long pole, and a figure in white with a shawl stands at left. Large decorated deity murtis with flower garlands and gold-trimmed garments stand behind the fire, and brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel and ritual implements sit on the platform. Strings of green leaves hang overhead. A dense crowd of devotees sits in the foreground facing the stage, and a world map is visible on a screen at top left.2016-10-10 +1 copiesNight ritual on an illuminated outdoor stage before a large seated crowd, with a fire burning in a fire pit at centre. A priest in orange-brown dhoti sits at the fire pit tending the flames. Behind him, large decorated deity murti with garlands and ornate arches frame the stage, and a figure in white and gold attire stands near a raised decorated seat. A woman with a long braid in dark red garments sits to the right near a brass lamp and kalasha-like vessel. Several attendants in white dhotis stand at left, and a man in khaki stands at far right. Hanging green leaves and tinsel decorate the top of the stage. The crowd in the foreground is seated, many in white and bright clothing, with a handful of people visible in the right background.2016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10Night photograph of an outdoor homa beside decorated deity murtis at a temple-style stage, with a large crowd seated in the foreground. A raised fire pit burns brightly at the centre with an oil lamp nearby. On the left, several white-clad men in dhotis stand, one with a bare upper body and saffron cloth. A seated figure in orange-brown clothing tends the fire, while a dark-haired figure in a red-brown garment kneels at right. Behind them are large floral garlands, a Ganesha-like murti with a crown, and a tall figure with a flowered headdress. Bright stage lights and white floral garlands frame the scene. No figure can be confidently identified as a person from appearance.2016-10-10Night ritual homa at an outdoor stage with a large fire burning in a metal fire pit in the centre. Several priests in white and orange-brown dhotis and shawls tend the fire; one kneels in an orange sari-like wrap offering into the flames. Behind them stand ornate white and gold festival murtis of deities with flower garlands and strings of marigold, with a glowing golden peetha. A seated figure in dark red and brown robes with long dark hair sits on a throne-like chair at the right, facing the fire. Standing attendants on the left wear white dhotis, and a bare-chested priest with a sacred thread stands behind them. Strings of leaves and tinsel hang overhead. A large crowd of devotees sits in the foreground, and a projection screen above the left shows a world map. a person is not clearly identifiable from appearance, so no identification is made.2016-10-10Night-time outdoor homa at a festival stage before a seated crowd of many devotees in the foreground. A large fire blazes in a raised fire pit. Near the fire, a man in orange cloth kneels and performs the rite while a priest in a brown shawl sits beside the fire pit. Standing priests in white dhotis with bare upper bodies and beaded necklaces raise their hands at the left edge. Behind them stand large decorated deity murtis with garlands, one with an elaborate crown, and a brass kalasha lamp stand sits at right. A cameraperson in a white shirt films beside the stage. Strings of leaves decorate the top of the frame.2016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10