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A homa or yagna in a tent-covered ceremonial space: a square fire pit with a stepped brick and marigold-decorated base stands in the centre, with smoke rising. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a yellow border holds a vessel and bends toward the pit. A second priest in a white dhoti and saffron cloth stands beside it holding a ritual item. At left a shirtless man in a yellow-bordered white dhoti holds a microphone and speaks. Behind them seated devotees fill the floor. On the right a seated figure in an orange-brown robe, wearing a flower garland and a red headband, sits on an ornate golden throne with a large sunburst backrest. Fruit, bananas and flowers are arranged in front on banana leaves, and small decorative lanterns hang from the ceiling.

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A photograph of a Karthigai Deepam ritual inside a tent-covered temple hall at night. A square wooden fire pit with a dark lined centre is decorated with flower petals in the foreground, with flames and smoke rising from it. A priest in white dhoti and a saffron-coloured shawl kneels at the pit, tending a lit oil lamp. Another white-clad priest bends over ornate silver vessels, pots and fruit offerings arranged on a banana leaf. Behind them, a large golden throne with a sun-ray backrest holds a seated figure wearing a red-brown robe, a flower garland and a long mala necklace, and a dark shawl. Seated devotees in white fill the floor, and paper lanterns hang from the ceiling.2016-12-12December 12 20162016-12-12A photograph of a ceremonial fire ritual under a decorated tent with hanging paper lanterns. In the centre a square fire pit with offerings of fruit, flowers and a kalasha sits on a striped rug. A seated priest in a white dhoti with an orange shawl leans over the pit, while another priest in white and a yellow-bordered cloth stands nearby, and a bare-chested attendant in yellow and white holds a bowl. Behind them many seated devotees watch. To the right a man in saffron-brown robes with long hair, flower garlands and a gold necklace sits on an ornate golden throne with sunburst rays, a person, identity unsure from appearance alone. Offerings of fruit and flowers are arranged on a silver tray in the foreground.2016-12-12Photo of a homa/yagna ceremony under a white tent hung with colourful paper lanterns. A square fire pit with a rust-coloured rim sits on a striped mat in front, filled with flowers and burning embers, while smoke rises. Several priests in white dhotis stand and sit around it; one bare-chested man in a yellow-and-gold silk dhoti stands at left, and another in a white dhoti with a gold-bordered shawl bends forward offering something over the pit. Fruit, bananas, flowers and brass vessels surround the area. At right, a figure in a saffron-brown garment with a garland of white and purple flowers sits on an ornate golden throne with a sun-and-peacock motif, with a red seat cushion. Seated devotees in white fill the background.2016-12-12December 12 20162016-12-12December 13 20162016-12-13A photograph of a ritual at a pavilion lit by hanging decorative lamps. In the foreground, several men in white dhotis with coloured borders stand around a square fire pit of wooden frame, possibly a homa or yagna. One man in a yellow-and-orange-bordered dhoti holds a long ladle or implement over the pit, while another in white with an orange sash stands nearby. To the right sits a figure on a red cushioned seat under an ornate golden throne with sun-ray backrest; the seated person wears an orange-brown robe, a garland of white and orange flowers and a rudraksha-style necklace. Offerings of fruit, flowers, bananas, coconuts and betel leaves sit on banana-leaf trays beside the fire pit, and devotees sit on the floor in the background.2016-12-12A night ritual in a covered pavilion with a sunburst golden throne behind a seated figure. A seated man in orange-brown robes, with a long flower garland, a gold necklace and a headdress, sits on the throne, with a decorated ornament on a raised dais. Behind him an attendant in orange stands near a golden lion-shaped stand. In front, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a purple head cloth bends forward holding a lit lamp over the ritual area. Beside the square fire pit of a homa, with white-clad participants kneeling and a standing priest holding a vessel, a photographer in white with a camera stands among the crowd. Flower-decorated kalashas with mango leaves and fruit stand in the foreground. Smoke rises from the fire pit as overhead lights illuminate the tent.2016-12-13Night ritual under a covered pavilion with hanging paper lanterns and string lights. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a maroon-and-green sash and a pink head cloth bends over a wooden platform, pouring or offering over a fire pit, while another priest in white dhoti sits beside him. A shirtless attendant with an orange cloth over his shoulder stands at left, and devotees sit on striped mats behind them. Tables hold fruit, flowers, yellow marigold garlands, and brass vessels. At right, a seated figure in orange robes with flower garlands sits on an ornate gold throne with a sunburst backrest, looking on. The scene resembles a homa or puja at a temple event.2016-12-12A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated tent with hanging paper lanterns and strings of colourful lights overhead. A square wooden fire pit with a blazing flame and smoke sits at centre, where a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and an orange shawl kneels and tends the fire with a ritual implement. Nearby, another priest in white and yellow-bordered dhoti stands beside a bare-chested attendant in orange. Behind them, rows of seated devotees in white clothes sit on striped mats. On the right, a figure sits on an ornate golden throne with a sunburst backrest and carved lions, dressed in a reddish-brown robe with a rudraksha mala and a garland of white and orange flowers, with a crown-like headpiece. Offerings of fruit, flowers and kalasha pots lie on a leaf-covered tray in the foreground. A man in an orange shawl holding a microphone stands at left.2016-12-12March 16 20172017-03-16 +1 copiesDecember 13 20162016-12-13