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A photograph of a homa ritual in a temple hall. A standing priest in orange robes holds a lit oil lamp (aarti) near a brick fire pit where flames burn. Seated devotees in white, orange and yellow clothing face the fire, with a woman in yellow pressing her palms together. A large statue of a blue-skinned goddess with a crown, garlands and a trident is on a white-draped stand at right, with a painted backdrop of mountains. A tall decorated banner stands at left, and brass pots and leaf offerings are placed on the floor.

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October 27 20082008-10-27A photograph of a Chandi Homa at AadiKailaasa, Bengaluru. A standing man in orange robes holds a ritual vessel and lamp beside a brick fire pit (homa kund) with flames. Seated devotees in orange, white and yellow clothes face the fire, while a large colourful murti of the goddess Kali with blue skin, a red tongue, a necklace of skulls and a silver crown stands on a white-draped altar against a painted backdrop. Brass pots and offering plates with green leaves are arranged on the floor, and a tall painted banner hangs to the left.2008-10-27Indoor homa ritual in a hall with a blue wall and a colourful painted pillar. A standing priest in orange robes holds a ladle and a flame above a brick fire pit, where fire rises. Seated devotees in orange, white and yellow shawls face a large blue-skinned Kali murti with a crown, garland and raised sword, set before a painted mountain backdrop. Kalasha pots with mango leaves and a plate of offerings sit in front of the fire.2008-10-27A chandi homa ritual in a hall before a large painted backdrop and a colourful deity murti of Kali-like form with blue skin, a crown and a garland, standing on a white-draped altar. In front, a square brick fire pit burns with flames. A young man in orange robes stands at left, holding a lit oil lamp and a ritual vessel. Five seated participants face the fire: a man in white with an orange shawl, two others in white and orange, a woman in grey with a yellow shawl, and a woman in yellow with hands joined in prayer. Brass pots, banana leaves and offerings surround them, and a tall patterned banner stands at left.2008-10-27October 27 20082008-10-27A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a temple hall. A standing figure in an orange saffron robe with a folded wrap stands at left behind the fire pit, facing the altar. Several seated participants in white and orange sashes or yellow wraps sit in front of a brick-lined fire pit where flames burn. A large deity murti of Kali with a blue body and raised arms stands on a white-draped altar at right, with garlands and offerings. Brass pots with flowers and green leaves sit on the floor, and a patterned cloth covers the ground. The cropped-away standing man's face is not visible in full; his role is a ritual officiant at the homa.2008-10-27October 27 20082008-10-27October 27 20082008-10-27A homa is performed in a hall before a large painted backdrop and a deity murti of a blue-skinned goddess with a crown, multiple arms and a garland of marigolds. A fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit in front of the goddess. Several devotees sit on mats around the fire: a man in a white dhoti with an orange shawl, women in yellow and orange garments, and others in white. A standing young priest in orange robes tends the fire. Brass vessels with banana leaves and offerings sit on the floor, and a colourful painted pillar stands at left.2008-10-27A photograph of a homa ritual in an indoor hall with a blue wall and a painted backdrop of pink and grey mountains. In the centre, a brick fire pit holds a lit flame. Around it, about seven people sit on mats in orange, white and yellow clothing. A woman in a yellow sari sits at the right foreground. Behind them, a white-draped platform holds a dark-blue deity murti with a long garland, raised arms and a sword, and brass kalashas with flowers sit on the floor. A wooden bench with red cushions is at the right edge.2008-10-27October 27 20082008-10-27A ritual worship scene before a white-faced, blue-skinned deity murti, identified by its fanged blue face, garland and raised weapons as a goddess form, possibly Kali. A young man in an orange shawl over white clothing stands at left-center holding a lit oil lamp aarti before the murti. Several seated devotees in orange shawls and white garments, including a man in the foreground holding a metal bell, face the altar. A woman in a yellow-bordered white sari and another in orange sit at right. Stacked yellow brick-like blocks. A painted backdrop of pink, blue and green hues and a colourful decorated pillar frame the scene. Printed copyright and archive credit text overlays the lower right corner.2008-10-27