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A photograph of a ceremonial ritual inside a decorated open pavilion with a striped multicoloured cloth covering the floor. A man seated on an ornate silver-and-white peetha/throne at left wears a saffron-orange shawl and a rudraksha mala, with a tall coloured parasol above him. Beside a large burning fire pit (homa/yagna), a second robed figure in white sits near the fire. At right, a woman in an orange sari holds a lamp before a richly decorated shrine with a deity murti adorned with garlands of yellow and red flowers. Banana leaves, hanging yellow marigold garlands and small oil lamps decorate the roof. Several people are visible in the background.

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December 19 20162016-12-19A night-time homa at a covered outdoor pavilion hung with yellow marigold garlands and small oil lamps. In the centre a rectangular golden fire pit burns with tall flames, surrounded by brass plates of offerings. A bare-chested priest in an orange dhoti stands at left holding a ritual item, and another orange-clad attendant stands near the fire. Behind, a seated figure in white with a red-and-white garland sits before an ornate silver-and-gold heart-shaped throne-arch decorated with yellow flowers. At right, a richly garlanded deity murti sits in a golden shrine with a crown and flower garlands, and a striped multicoloured mat covers the floor. Several people in orange and white clothing are visible in the background.2016-12-19A photograph of a temple-style ritual hall under a tented ceiling strung with yellow marigold garlands and banana leaves. In the foreground, a square wooden homa fire pit burns with a flame, surrounded by brass vessels, plates of offerings and a striped cloth. To the left, several women in orange and saffron garments stand with folded hands while a woman in a saffron sari pours from a vessel near the fire. On the right, a richly decorated shrine holds a deity murti adorned with flower garlands and a crown, flanked by a gilded peetha throne and a silver-canopied seat. Several people in orange clothing stand in front, with one man in white at the back.2016-12-19A night-time temple-style ritual in a canopied hall. A fire pit with a burning flame sits centre stage on a stepped golden platform. Around it, several priests in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, with rudraksha malas, perform the rites, one holding a small object near the fire. A decorated deity murti stands on a garlanded altar at right, with marigold and yellow flower garlands, banana plants and a kalasha-like arrangement nearby. Striped multicolour cloths cover the floor, with brass plates of offerings, flowers and a basket of petals in front. A man in white and a bare-chested priest stand at right, with the homa setting dominated by yellow marigold garlands overhead.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A photograph of a homa at an outdoor pavilion. A large fire blazes in a raised golden fire pit in the foreground, with a seated priest in orange and a rudraksha mala behind it on an ornate cushioned seat under a decorated arch. Behind the fire, a young attendant in white and orange stands near an ornately decorated deity murti and a golden palanquin-style seat. Garlands of marigolds hang from the ceiling and surround a decorated altar with a deity murti. Colourful striped mats cover the floor and scattered petals lie around the fire pit.2016-12-19Night-time ritual in a open-sided pavilion with a striped rug floor. A wooden square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground surrounded by white flower petals and small offering trays of fruit and sweets. Behind it, several men in orange and saffron dhotis stand near decorated shrines draped with yellow and orange marigold garlands, a banana plant, and a brass lamp stand. A standing priest in an orange dhoti and bare upper body holds a ritual implement near the fire. A seated figure in a brown robe with a garland sits on an ornate gilded throne with a canopy. A decorated deity murti stands in a shrine on the right, adorned with flower garlands. The scene suggests a homa or yagna ceremony.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a covered hall at night. A fire burns in a raised golden fire pit in the foreground, with offerings and a brass bowl of flowers nearby. A man in an orange dhoti and shawl stands at the left holding a microphone on a stand, while a seated man in a brown robe with a purple garland sits on an ornate golden-and-black throne behind him. On the right, a deity murti decorated with yellow and white garlands sits in a golden shrine arch, and a banana plant, a yellow flower garland strung across the ceiling, and hanging lamps complete the setting. A colourful striped mat covers the floor. Several people in orange and white attire stand near the shrine.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19Photograph of a temple-style ritual hall with a draped tent ceiling. A bearded man in an orange-brown robe with a white flower garland sits on an ornate golden throne with a heart-shaped mirrored backrest, a leopard-print cushion and a yellow flower arrangement. A man in orange dhoti with white body markings holds a tall lit aarti lamp toward the throne while other orange-clad priests stand with folded hands and garlands. A kneeling woman in a brown sari sits on the red floor, and a man in an orange robe sits at left beside a fire pit with flames. A decorated deity murti with garlands stands at right, and a green banana plant and a yellow kalasha-like brass vessel are nearby. Offerings and a pot wrapped in green cloth lie on the striped mat in front of the throne.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19Night-time ritual scene in a temple-style shrine decorated with yellow marigold garlands overhead and banana leaves at the corners. Two large deity murtis sit on ornate golden thrones with silver-and-gold crowns, draped in white cloth, garlanded with yellow and red flower strings, and flanked by black stone sculptures. In front, a fire pit burns with an offering tray of flowers and fruit. Standing at the right, two attendants in saffron-orange dhotis, one with a white shawl and one wearing a green turban, present flower garlands. Two people in white with long hair attend near the left throne, one holding a lamp. Striped mat on the floor, oil lamps lit, a homa or puja in progress.2016-12-19