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A homa fire ritual in a temple hall with a red and white striped mat floor. A fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit with flower-decorated bricks, smoke rising. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls stand around it, one in an orange-yellow cloth performing offerings from a tray of petals. Garlands of marigolds and banana leaves line the space, with colourful hanging decorations and umbrellas overhead. Robed devotees with folded hands stand at the back, and a cameraman films the scene on the right.

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A homa fire ritual inside a decorated temple hall hung with marigold garlands and colourful paper lanterns. Several priests in saffron-orange and yellow dhotis stand at a brick fire pit, one pouring offerings from a brass vessel over the flames while others hold bells, a conch, and offering plates. A man in a white garment with a golden yellow shawl conducts the rite, and a figure in an orange robe with a white flower garland stands near the altar. Garlands and flower-decorated offerings sit on a pedestal to the right beneath a green canopy, and oil lamps rest on the red mat in front of the pit.2018-04-14A photograph of a homa at a temple hall with decorated pillars, hanging marigold garlands and green and red umbrellas overhead. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in an orange dhoti holds a vessel over a bright fire pit while another priest in orange and yellow pours offerings. A central white-robed priest with a long white shawl stands with hands folded in a garland of white flowers, and a saffron-clad sadhu stands beside a decorated altar with flower garlands and brass vessels. Red and white floral marigold garlands and banana leaves surround the altar. Several other people in white, saffron and orange robes stand in the background, and the scene is a ritual at the inauguration event.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a fire ritual inside an unfinished hall with exposed concrete pillars and colourful banners. A central fire pit built from stacked bricks with garlands and flower petals burns with smoke rising. Around it, a priest in a white dhoti and a yellow shawl stands holding a ritual vessel, while a bare-chested man in an orange cloth bends low near the lower left. Several people in white, orange and purple garments stand with folded hands. On the right, a large display of flower garlands and marigolds, brass lamps, steel vessels and a red-and-gold cloth surround the ritual area. Red mats cover the floor.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a temple hall during a ritual at a homa fire pit in the centre foreground, where flames rise from a fire with offerings and metal vessels around it. Several men in saffron and orange robes and yellow dhotis stand and sit on a red striped floor mat; one bare-chested priest in a yellow dhoti pours from a brass plate, while another in white and a yellow shawl stands nearby. A central figure with long dark hair wears a white flower garland and folds his hands in prayer. Behind them, a large decorated table holds heaps of marigold and red flower garlands, and green and red ceremonial umbrellas hang from the ceiling above rows of stone pillars painted with colourful bands. A large golden deity-like ornament is visible in the background.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ritual at a temple construction site, with a sacrificial fire pit lined with red-and-brown bricks and flower petals. Several priests in orange and saffron dhotis, some bare-chested with rudraksha malas, stand and kneel around the fire. One priest in a mustard-yellow shawl holds a long ladle and offerings over the flames, while another in white dhoti pours from a brass vessel. A brass kalasha and lamps sit on red striped mats, marigold garlands hang from the tall ceiling, and a green umbrella and decorated poles stand in the background. A woman in a white top stands at the right edge, photographing the scene.2018-04-14 +1 copiesPhotograph of a temple ritual in a pillared hall with a red and white striped mat. In the foreground, a priest in yellow silk dhoti and shawl holds a brass plate of offerings near a burning fire pit on the floor, with a second priest in yellow and a man in white dhoti nearby. Several figures stand with palms pressed together. Behind them, a central figure in red-brown robes wears a white floral garland and a long pink-and-white flower garland, flanked by people in orange and saffron robes. Banana leaves, marigold and rose garlands, brass pots and lamps decorate the area, and a large floral-garlanded deity murti sits on a decorated altar on the right under colourful umbrellas. The scene suggests a homa or puja at a temple.2018-04-14 +1 copiesApril 14 20182018-04-14 +1 copiesA temple ritual inside a pillared hall with a red-carpeted floor. At right, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and shawl pours or offers from a ritual vessel toward a fire pit where flames rise, surrounded by marigold-decorated altar tables, brass vessels and fruit trays. Beside him, a white-clad assistant holds a sacred item. On the left, a row of people in saffron and orange robes, rudraksha malas and marigold garlands stand with hands folded, some women in blue and purple saris. Ornate umbrellas and marigold festoons hang from the pillars and ceiling. No clearly identifiable a person is visible in this scene.2018-04-14A homa fire burns on a red-and-white striped mat inside a stone-pillared hall decorated with marigold garlands, green and red umbrellas and painted pillar bands. In the centre, a man with long dark hair and a flower garland stands with palms joined, wearing a red-brown garment, while nearby priests in saffron and white dhotis, some with orange shawls, tend the fire and handle offerings. On the right, a decorated altar holds flower garlands, brass lamps and steel vessels of offerings. Many devotees stand in the background. The scene reflects a ritual at the Sadashiva Mandapam inauguration.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa ritual inside a pillared temple hall decorated with colourful painted pillars, banana leaves and flower garlands. A fire pit is piled with bricks and flowers, with smoke rising from it. A priest in a yellow shawl and white dhoti holds a bowl over the fire, while a bare-chested man in yellow dhoti crouches at the pit's edge. Several men in saffron and orange cloth and white dhotis stand around, some holding plates and a brass vessel. A large umbrella and a deity murti adorned with garlands are visible in the background.2018-04-14 +1 copiesA homa fire ceremony is performed in a temple hall decorated with colourful umbrellas, banana leaves and marigold garlands. A priest in a white dhoti with a purple waistband and yellow shawl stands at center holding a white plate aloft over a burning fire pit built of bricks decorated with flower garlands, with smoke rising. To the left, attendants in saffron-orange garments and white dhotis hold brass vessels and offering trays of red flowers. Behind them, devotees in white stand near an altar draped in red and gold cloth, heaped with white and red flower garlands, and brass oil lamps are set on the floor.2018-04-14A ritual fire ceremony in a temple hall decorated with colourful pillar banners, hanging umbrellas and marigold garlands. Several priests in white dhotis and orange-yellow cloths stand around a fire pit built of stacked red bricks decorated with flowers, from which flames and smoke rise. A bare-chested man in a yellow dhoti kneels at the fire, and a priest in a purple-bordered white dhoti holds a dish of offerings. A tall figure with long hair in orange robes and a garland stands with hands joined in namaste at the centre-back, while a brass lamp and copper vessels sit on red-and-white striped mats. A deity murti is visible on an ornate altar behind the fire.2018-04-14