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A photograph of a temple-style ritual space decorated with yellow marigold garlands and banana leaves. Several men in saffron-orange dhotis and gold necklaces stand around a large golden yagna platform draped with a striped multicolour cloth. Ornate golden shrines on the right hold deity murtis garlanded with flowers. A man in orange at the right edge holds a garland beside a shrine. Offerings of grains, flowers and brass vessels sit on the cloth in the foreground, and a colourful ceremonial umbrella stands at the upper left. Soft light beams through the smoky air.

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December 19 20162016-12-19A decorated tent interior set for a ritual. On the left, a man in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits on an ornate silver-and-gold throne with a heart-shaped backrest, a flat-topped parasol above him. A small fire burns in a square gold-trimmed homa pit in the foreground, with brass plates and offerings nearby. On the right, a decorated deity murti stands on a gold-and-silver pedestal draped in marigold and red flower garlands, and a gold-ornamented arch frames a second murti. A priest in orange dhoti stands at right holding a lit aarti lamp toward the deities. Striped multicolored cloth covers the floor, and banana leaves, yellow marigold strings and hanging oil lamps decorate the ceiling.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a decorated pandal. A square raised wooden fire pit with a smoking fire sits centrally on a floor covered in striped purple, green and multicoloured mats. Four men stand on the left wearing bare chests, orange dhotis and rudraksha malas; one holds a plate of offerings and others stand with hands together. A seated person in dark clothing is near the far left. On the right, deity murtis are adorned with yellow and red marigold garlands, with a golden shrine framed by a yellow flower canopy overhead. Brass pots, plates of rice and oil lamps sit near the pit. Smoke rises through spotlight beams under a white tent roof.2016-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ceremony under a tent with a striped mat floor. A square golden fire pit with a bright flame sits at the centre. Three young priests in saffron-orange dhotis with bare upper bodies, ash markings and rudraksha malas sit or kneel around it; two sit on the left and one kneels at the fire with a ladle near the front. Behind them is a large heart-shaped golden throne with yellow flower garlands and a trident, and a small seated figure in red near it. To the right stand decorated deity murtis wrapped in red and yellow flower garlands, and yellow marigold garlands hang across the top. Brass vessels, a basket of flowers and a plate of offerings sit on the mat. No identifiable a person figure is clearly visible.2016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19December 19 20162016-12-19A night-time temple ritual under a tented roof decorated with marigold garlands and banana leaves. A fire pit with a lit flame stands at centre on a gold-edged platform, with offering plates of food and flowers in front on a striped multicolour cloth. To the left, a seated man in a brown robe with a garland presses his palms together while two men in saffron-orange dhotis stand nearby, one holding a lamp. Behind them, golden deity murtis and a cobra-hooded canopy sit on a decorated stage. Toward the right, a gold-framed shrine holds a deity murti adorned with white and orange garlands, flanked by attendants in orange cloth.2016-12-19A temple-style ritual hall decorated with marigold garlands and banana plants. In the foreground, a small yellow-walled fire pit with a lit flame sits on a striped multicoloured cloth. Behind it, several seated men in saffron and orange cloth wearing yellow and rudraksha-style necklaces attend the rite, and one man stands at the right in orange garments with hands folded. At the right, a gold-framed shrine holds garlanded deity murtis draped in marigolds, and a gold throne-like seat with garlands stands in the centre. Brass lamps and plates of offerings are arranged on the floor, and a central figure sits in a garlanded chair in the background.2016-12-19A night-time homa in a covered pavilion. A fire burns in a square golden fire pit at centre-front, surrounded by brass plates of offerings and flower garlands. Behind it, a bearded man with long hair in a rust-orange shawl and rudraksha-style beads sits on an ornate golden throne with a red cushion and a decorated peetha. To the right, a golden-framed shrine holds a deity murti draped in white and yellow garlands with a lit lamp. Yellow marigold garlands hang across the ceiling, and a priest in orange dhoti stands at the far right near the shrine with a flower-decorated kalasha. A standing attendant in an orange dhoti and gold necklace stands at left, and another figure in white sits near a banana plant. Colourful striped mats cover the floor.2016-12-19A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated tent at night. A square golden fire pit with flames and smoke sits in the centre, surrounded by brass plates of offerings, flower petals and fruit on a striped cloth. A seated man in a brown-orange robe with a garland sits on an ornate golden throne with a gold and red patterned backrest, facing the fire. Standing priests wear saffron and orange dhotis; one holds a long ceremonial staff near the throne. To the right, a golden shrine-like canopy is hung with yellow marigold garlands, and a deity-like murti or decorated figure sits with flower garlands. A standing woman in an orange sari stands at right holding an offering. Banana leaves and yellow flower strings decorate the tent ceiling.2016-12-19Night ritual inside a decorated tent with a sacred fire burning on a tiered golden yagna platform, flames and smoke rising. A bearded man in a brown-orange robe sits on an ornate throne backed by a heart-shaped silver-and-blue peetha, a garland around his neck. A younger man with a swept-up topknot and orange dhoti stands at the left, and an attendant in orange stands at the right. A seated figure in saffron robes with a rudraksha mala sits on a red-cushioned seat at far left. Yellow marigold garlands hang across the ceiling, banana leaves stand nearby, and brass vessels, fruit and flower offerings lie on a colourful striped mat. A man in orange is at the right with a golden throne behind him, and several people in white and saffron stand behind the fire.2016-12-19A 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.2016-12-19