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Night-time homa ceremony under a open-sided pandal strung with small coloured lights. A fire burns in a golden fire pit in front of a tiered decorated structure with flower garlands and painted figures. Several priests in white dhotis stand around the fire; one bare-chested priest in a red-and-gold cloth tends the flames while another holds a bundle of leaves aloft. Trays of food offerings and brass vessels sit on striped mats in front. A man seated on a gold throne with a red cushion, wearing a red garment and a white flower garland, presides over the ritual. Seated devotees in white clothes and orange robes watch from the foreground, and a digital clock on the stage reads 10:09 PM.

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Night outdoor homa on a raised stage under a canopy with string lights. A fire burns in a golden fire pit in front of an ornate tiered shrine decorated with flowers and small figures. Several men in white dhotis and shawls stand at the left, one holding a microphone, while a man in a maroon cloth stands near the fire. In the foreground, trays of fruit and offerings sit on a striped cloth, and a seated figure in orange cloth with a white flower garland sits on a gold and red throne at the right. Devotees in white clothing sit at the bottom edge.2017-04-28April 28 20172017-04-28Night-time homa at an open outdoor ceremonial platform strung with small coloured fairy lights. A large fire burns in a golden fire pit at centre, in front of a tiered decorated kalasha-style structure with painted figures and flower garlands. Several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies stand around the fire performing the rite, one holding a green leafy bundle. On the right, a seated figure in orange-brown robes and a white flower garland sits on an ornate gold throne with red cushions; the figure's appearance is not clearly distinctive enough to confirm identity. Plates of fruit, grains and offerings lie on a striped cloth in the foreground, with a few seated devotees in white and a bald man in orange at the lower edge.2017-04-28Night photograph of an outdoor homa ceremony under a corrugated roof strung with small coloured lights. A fire burns in a raised fire pit in the centre, with a richly decorated tiered deity murti or altar structure behind it. On the right, a man in a saffron-orange garment with a flower garland sits on a large ornate gold throne with red cushions; a figure with long hair and a saffron wrap sits there, with distinctive ceremonial adornments, so the appearance is a probable match to a person but the cues are not strong enough to confirm, and he is seated being honoured. Several men in white dhotis and shawls stand to the left, one holding a green leaf bundle, and a shaved-headed man in saffron sits at lower left beside plates of offerings. Women in white saris sit at the bottom edge.2017-04-28Night-time homa ritual under a tented open-air pavilion lit by strings of coloured fairy lights. A fire burns in a fire pit before an ornate multi-tiered decorated altar topped with a deity murti and a kalasha. Priests in white dhotis and shoulder cloths stand around, one in dark red dhoti tending the fire, another holding leaves. Trays of food offerings are arrayed on striped mats in the foreground. On the right, a seated figure in saffron-orange robes and a white flower garland sits on an ornate golden throne with red cushion, a rudraksha-adorned bald priest in orange among the foreground devotees. Several women in white and a bald man in orange sit at the bottom edge facing the altar. A digital clock displays 10:09 PM.2017-04-28Night homa ceremony in an open-air ritual courtyard lit by strings of small lights. A large fire burns on a low altar before a tiered, colourfully decorated kalasha-like structure. Several priests in white dhotis stand and perform offerings; one bare-chested priest in a red-and-pink cloth extends an arm toward the fire with a ladle. Plates of food and offerings are laid out on a striped mat in front. On the right, an ornate gold throne with a canopy is occupied by a seated man wearing a white flower garland and orange-red clothing; a woman in a white sari stands nearby. Devotees in white and orange sit in the foreground, including one veiled in white.2017-04-28April 28 20172017-04-28Night homa for Vishesha Deeksha at an open-air outdoor pavilion under a corrugated metal roof strung with coloured fairy lights. A large fire burns in a raised square fire pit in the centre. A seated figure on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion and a red canopy above wears a garland and an orange-brown cloth, with gold trident-topped staffs on either side; the figure is a candidate for a person and is the only person seated in the place of honour. Standing to the left are two people in white dhotis and shawls, and a shirtless man in a dhoti stands further back. In the foreground a man bends over trays of grains and offerings, and rows of brass plates of offerings line a striped rug. A decorated kalasha-like altar with flower garlands and a deity murti stands behind the fire.2017-03-16April 28 20172017-04-28Night-time homa ritual on a raised outdoor stage beneath strings of multicoloured fairy lights. A large fire burns in a central fire pit before a decorated deity murti garlanded with flowers. Around the fire, rows of brass plates hold vegetables, fruit, leaves and offerings on a striped woven cloth. A priest in a white dhoti with a bare upper body stands with raised hands; another bare-chested man kneels at left, and a boy beside the fire holds a microphone. At right, a seated man in red-and-maroon robes with a garland sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne with a kalasha-topped canopy. Stone lamps line the front edge.2017-03-16Night outdoor ritual under a pink-fringed tent on a striped mat dais. A man seated on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion wears saffron clothing and a gold necklace, while attendants in orange robes stand nearby. A priest in a white dhoti with an orange sash stands before a fire pit with flames, offering with his hands. Another man kneels at the altar in a white cloth, and fruit, flower garlands and brass lamps are laid out. Behind them, a shrine with a deity murti is decorated with string lights and garlands. A camera operator and bright stage lights are visible at the edges.2017-05-25Night scene at an outdoor temple-like pavilion with a sacred fire in a raised wooden fire pit on the floor, flames rising, surrounded by flower garlands and offering trays with bananas and fruit. Several people sit closely around the fire on the floor, including bare-chested men with white body markings and white dhotis, and a woman in a dark blouse with white cloth. On the left, decorated deity murtis sit on a red and gold altar draped with flower garlands. On the right, a figure in orange robes with a rudraksha mala sits on an ornate golden throne with a red cushion beneath a decorative canopy, while other people in white dhotis stand nearby. Smoke drifts through the scene.2015-08-31