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A photograph of a homa fire ritual held under a canopy decorated with hanging paper lanterns and colourful tassels. Two priests stand at a raised square fire pit with a visible flame; the younger priest in an orange dhoti and orange shawl pours white flower petals or grains into the fire while another priest in a green-and-gold headwear and orange-and-gold garland holds a bowl. Seated seniors and attendants in saffron and orange clothing, rudraksha malas and white vibhuti face the fire on striped floor mats. Behind them a seated figure in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala and a large ornate peetha with floral decorations and a trident rests to the right. Oil lamps and a brass vessel sit near the pit. A large audience is seated along the sides.

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December 19 20162016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A ceremonial homa in a decorated tent at night. In the foreground a square wooden fire pit with a lit flame sits on a striped floor mat. A man in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl with a long dark braid and a rudraksha-style bead necklace stands at the left, one arm raised in a gesture beside a tall trident. A seated man in a brown-orange robe with a flower garland sits with hands folded on an ornate heart-shaped gold and blue throne with a canopy above it. To the right a woman in a rust-coloured sari and a man in white dhoti stand with hands joined. Several saffron-clad attendants and a seated person in orange sit nearby. Rows of devotees in white and coloured clothes, many wearing flower garlands, fill the audience area. Paper lanterns in pink, green and orange hang from the tent ceiling, and a brass kalasha and lamp rest on the stage.2016-12-19December 06 20162016-12-06 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ceremony inside a hall with a red carpet and marigold garlands strung overhead. In the centre, a priest in a white dhoti with a yellow border and a red-and-gold headcloth pours liquid from a brass vessel beside a fire pit lit with burning logs. Another priest in white stands to the right holding offerings near the flames. Rows of fruit, flowers, coconuts and brass pots sit on a tiered platform in front. Behind, a few seated men and women in saffron, purple and white garments watch; a gilded umbrella, an ornate golden heart-shaped decorative frame and red canopies complete the setting.2018-04-14December 19 20162016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19December 12 20162016-12-12December 12 20162016-12-12A photograph of a fire ritual inside a hall with red floor and marigold garlands. At the centre, a brick-lined fire pit with a burning flame sits on a golden-brick platform decorated with flower garlands. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with gold borders stands at the fire holding a white offering bundle with pink flowers, wearing a maroon turban and red shawl. Beside him, another bare-chested man in white dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth holds a flower-decorated tray. A large ornate purple-and-gold ceremonial umbrella stands behind the fire, and banana stalks, brass vessels and a woven basket are arranged around the platform. Several other men in ritual dress stand nearby.2018-04-14Inside a decorated temple hall, a homa is performed at a brick fire pit with a lit fire and smoke rising, surrounded by flower-garlanded brick offerings. Priests in white dhotis and bare-chested figures in saffron/orange and purple cloth stand in a line holding brass bells, a tray of fruit, and other ritual items. A bare-chested priest in a purple dhoti and shawl offers flowers at a decorated altar with marigold garlands and a deity murti. Rudraksha malas and white garlands are worn by several participants. Colourful cloth banners and umbrellas hang from the pillars, and brass oil lamps stand on the red-striped floor.2018-04-14 +1 copiesApril 14 20182018-04-14