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A photograph of a Vedic homa fire ritual at a temple. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a yellow-and-green shawl and a golden-yellow headwrap sits on a green mat, extending his right arm toward a tiered fire altar with a flame. The fire altar is built of stacked golden-yellow bricks decorated with red and white flower petals, and behind it a tiered decorated structure with carved lions and a cobra motif. Several seated devotees in white clothes and red-orange shawls sit behind the priest, and a pile of white flowers sits in a basket at left. Deity murtis and colourful decorations fill the background.

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A photograph of a Vedic homa fire ritual inside a temple hall. A tall flame rises from a tiered wooden fire altar stacked with wooden logs and flower-decorated offerings, set on a green cloth. Several priests sit or stand around it: one bare-chested man in a white dhoti with a marigold garland, another in a white dhoti with a red-and-white cloth over his shoulder holding an offering bowl, and a third in a headband and garland seated at the fire with a brass vessel. Seated devotees in white watch from the back, and a row of musicians with microphones sits at the right. Behind are gilded shrines with deity murtis under pink and violet lighting, and brass oil lamps and kalashas stand on the floor.2016-07-02July 02 20162016-07-02 +1 copiesA photograph of a sacred fire ritual inside a richly decorated Hindu temple hall with pink and silver shrine alcoves holding deity murtis. A large blazing homa fire rises from a stacked brick fire pit topped with a tiered ornate golden altar, decorated with red flowers. On the left, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a saffron-coloured shawl and rudraksha mala sits with hands folded, beside a standing man in white dhoti with a saffron sash and a yellow-brown headwrap seated near him. On the right, a young man in white dhoti and purple-striped sash bends forward tending the fire. Seated devotees in white and orange clothes watch in the background, and green mats cover the floor.2016-07-02A ceremonial homa at night in an open outdoor pavilion. A visible fire burns in a tiered brick fire pit, surrounded by yellow-orange offerings and a small mound of grain. Behind it stands an ornate, colourful decorated altar with a kalasha-like pot topped with flowers and garlands. Several men in white dhotis and shawls, some shirtless with green or red cloths and rudraksha, sit on the grass chanting and performing the fire ritual. Golden-lit deity murtis flank the back wall, and onlookers sit in the foreground, some in white and orange saris. Brass vessels and microphones are visible.2016-07-04Night outdoor fire ritual with a large square homa pit of stacked brick-like altar, lit by a bright flame, decorated with red flower petals and white rangoli-style borders. A priest in white dhoti with a green headcloth and green shawl stands tending the fire with a long ladle, while a shirtless man in white dhoti beside him holds his hands in anjali. A seated man on the left, bare-chested with a white dhoti and gold necklace, holds a small bell. Behind them, a large ornate chariot or ratha with garlands, carved lions and a golden canopy stands on a tiered base. Many seated devotees in white and red shawls watch from the left. Brass pots, fruit offerings and a plate of flowers sit near the fire.2016-07-04 +1 copiesA photograph of a night homa in a decorated tent hall. A large fire burns in a brick fire pit, its stepped brick base decorated with flowers, with a tiered ornate shrine behind it. Several men in white dhotis sit cross-legged around the fire, one bare-chested with a sacred thread, and one in an orange wrap and white dhoti stands at the right. Brass pots, bowls, flowers and a basket of grains sit on the ground in front, with microphones on stands near the men. Illuminated golden shrines with deity murti line the back of the hall, with colourful hanging tassels above. Several people in white and a few in red and orange sit in the background, with a few other figures standing nearby.2016-07-04July 04 20162016-07-04July 04 20162016-07-04A photograph of a Rudra Homa fire ritual outdoors on green mats. A large fire burns on a stepped altar of yellow-painted bricks decorated with red flower petals. Two priests in white dhotis sit bare-chested at the fire; the front priest wears a yellow turban, a golden garland and a green-and-white sacred thread, and holds a ladle over the offerings. Behind them a seated crowd in white clothes and red-orange shawls watches; several participants fold their hands in prayer. To the right stands a decorated shrine with a golden figure and offering plates, and metal vessels of grains and fruit sit in the foreground.2016-07-02July 02 20162016-07-02July 04 20162016-07-04A photograph of an outdoor Vedic fire ritual on a green mat. A central homa fire blazes inside a square pit of stacked brick-like yellow blocks decorated with red flowers. A priest in white dhoti, bare-chested and with a yellow-and-orange cloth on his shoulder, stands bent over the fire with a ladle, while a man in orange and white vestments sits beside the pit. Metal plates, bowls, brass vessels and a covered pot sit in front. Behind, rows of seated participants in white with orange and red shawls watch, and a deity murti stands on an ornate pink-and-teal platform decorated with flowers. A musician with a wind instrument sits at the right edge.2016-07-02