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A night-time homa ritual under an open-sided shelter. A shaven-headed young priest in an orange-red dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha mala stands at left, hands extended over a fire pit lined with yellow-gold tiles, flames rising from it. At right, a woman in a red-orange sari with gold border and garlanded jewelry stands beside a silver-framed arch. Behind the fire pit, a decorated altar with flower offerings and brass vessels, and a red-draped table at left holds a deity murti garlanded with marigolds and roses. Brass pots, a kalasha-style vessel and a white cloth lie on the ground near the fire.

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Night ritual at an outdoor temple-style shrine with a sacred fire pit. A shaven-headed priest in a reddish-orange dhoti and shawl stands at left, holding a lit oil lamp in one hand and a small brass bell or lamp in the other while looking down at the flame. At right, a woman in a rust-orange sari with a gold border stands beside a silver-framed arch, her hands joined near her waist. A blazing fire burns in a yellow-draped homa pit with brass pots and offering vessels arranged around it. Behind, a tiered altar decorated with flowers and a small deity murti sits beside floral-garlanded deity figures with marigold garlands, and a red-and-white striped platform leads up toward the shrine.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25Night-time outdoor homa at a temple-style shrine. A bare-chested priest in an orange-red dhoti with a rudraksha-style mala stands at left holding a lit oil lamp over the fire pit. At right, a second robed figure in orange-red clothing stands near a gilded arched shrine decorated with marigold garlands. Behind the fire pit a tiered decorated kalasha-style pedestal, and at left a deity murti dressed in garlands with a crown-like headdress. A brass pot and brass vessels sit near the yellow-ochre altar base, with a white cloth bundle at lower left.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25A night-time homa at an open-sided shrine. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala, bends low to offer items into a square wooden fire pit whose flames rise bright orange. Beside him, a woman in an orange-red sari stands with hands joined before a decorated deity murti garlanded with purple and orange flowers. Behind the priest, several garlanded murtis, including tall figures with blue and purple headdresses, sit on a red-draped platform. A small shrine with a kalasha and a dome stands at centre, with brass lamps and bowls near the fire pit.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25A photograph of an evening ritual under a corrugated roof. A man with short hair, bare-chested, wearing an orange-red dhoti and shawl with gold borders and a rudraksha-style mala, holds up a brass lamp (aarti) with a flame toward the upper frame. In front of him a fire pit with burning flames sits on a yellow-edged platform, indicating a homa. Behind him to the left, garlanded deity murtis are decorated with flowers and gold necklaces on a red cloth. In the centre, a decorated shrine with flowers and offerings stands on steps. On the right, a woman with hair in a bun wears an orange sari with gold borders and kneels beside a gilded arch with green cloth and flower garlands. A kalasha-like offering vessel is visible at the front. The man's face and identity are not established from the image; the person is described by role only.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25Night ritual outdoors under a corrugated roof at a homa or fire ritual. A fire burns in a yellow-tiled rectangular fire pit in the centre. A shaven-headed priest in an orange-red dhoti stands at left, tending the fire with his hands. To the right, a second person in an orange-red robe with a bare upper body sits with his back to the camera before an ornate golden throne-like seat decorated with a Ganesha-style deity murti, garlands of orange and white flowers and a green backdrop. To the left, a red-draped platform holds deity murtis garlanded in marigolds and beaded necklaces. Behind the fire pit stands a tiered decorated altar with flowers and kalasha-like offerings. A person in white clothing is partly visible at the far left edge.2014-11-25A priest in a rust-orange dhoti and matching shawl stands at a golden fire pit, tending a bright flame with a ladle-like vessel in his hand. Behind the fire pit, a small shrine tiers with garlands, and to the right a large deity murti sits beneath a golden arch with colourful flower garlands in purple, pink and yellow. To the left, a second garlanded deity figure wears a blue crown beside red garlands. A red cloth covers a table in front, and a golden lion-like figure sits near the deity on the right. Brass vessels and offerings lie beside the fire.2014-11-25