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A photo of a homa or fire ritual inside a decorated hall with marigold garlands hanging from the ceiling and pillars. Four priests stand at the fire pit, the central one wearing a red-and-gold turban and a gold necklace, with the others bare-chested in white dhotis with gold borders. Two of them pour from vessels and hold garlands. A small flame burns at the fire pit, surrounded by brick-shaped offerings decorated with flowers and coconuts. On the left, a seated figure in saffron-coloured clothing with a garland and a woman in a purple sari sit near a peacock-shaped decoration. Golden parasols and brass pots are visible in the foreground.

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April 14 20182018-04-14Photograph of a homa at a temple hall decorated with marigold garlands and hanging purple and red canopies. A fire burns in a brick fire pit on a red-cloth-covered floor, surrounded by offerings of flowers, fruit and brass vessels. Three priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand at the fire; the central one holds a brass vessel and pours liquid, another holds a garland, and the third stands with a rudraksha mala. Behind them, a row of attendants, some in orange turbans, watch, and a decorated palanquin or ratha frame with floral garlands stands on the right. A large ornate umbrella stands at left. The priests wear white dhotis with gold borders.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A homa is performed on a red-floored hall with a fire burning on a raised brick altar decorated with marigold garlands and banana leaves. Several priests in white dhoti with gold borders and bare upper bodies stand around it; one pours liquid from a brass vessel into the fire while another holds a brass pot. Beside them, an ornate golden umbrella and a heart-shaped floral backdrop frame the scene, with coconuts and flower garlands at right and marigold strands hanging from the ceiling.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A homa fire burns inside a brick-lined fire pit on a red floor, surrounded by marigold garlands and offerings of fruit and coconuts. Four priests stand around it: the one in the centre wears a red turban, white dhoti and a red shawl with rudraksha beads, holding a vessel, while others in white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces assist. Behind them a large golden heart-shaped arch and a decorative umbrella frame the scene, with more people in orange and saffron clothing seated in the background. Marigold and rose garlands hang from the hall ceiling beside colourful umbrellas.2018-04-14A 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 photograph of a fire ritual inside a hall with red floor and marigold garlands. At the centre, a brick-lined fire pit with a burning flame sits on a golden-brick platform decorated with flower garlands. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with gold borders stands at the fire holding a white offering bundle with pink flowers, wearing a maroon turban and red shawl. Beside him, another bare-chested man in white dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth holds a flower-decorated tray. A large ornate purple-and-gold ceremonial umbrella stands behind the fire, and banana stalks, brass vessels and a woven basket are arranged around the platform. Several other men in ritual dress stand nearby.2018-04-14A temple ritual inside a hall with white walls and columns, strung with marigold garlands and hanging lamps. Priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand at a long golden altar piled with yellow marigold garlands and offerings. The priest on the left, wearing a maroon turban, raises a golden ceremonial vessel; another priest beside him pours or holds an item. A figure seated centrally, behind the altar, wears a bright garland and sits before a heart-shaped golden backdrop, with a small group of seated devotees to the left. An oil lamp burns in the foreground, and a brass lamp stand and marigold-decorated tray lie on the red floor. This looks like an abhishekam or puja at a temple.2018-04-14Four shirtless priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered yellow cloth stand at a brick fire altar during a homa. The priest second from right holds a silver tray, and the flames rise from the brick pit decorated with marigold garlands. Nearby stand a pile of coconuts, brass vessels, a bamboo basket, a red-and-gold ornamental umbrella, and a large garlanded deity murti or decorated platform with red and yellow flower garlands. Red and purple paper lanterns hang from the ceiling, and a few other people in the background wear white and orange. No identifiable a person is visible in the frame.2018-04-14A homa fire burns in a fire pit lined with brick and strewn with marigold garlands, with coconuts and brass vessels arranged in front. Several priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand around it; one in the centre pours liquid from a brass vessel while others hold their hands together in prayer, and the man on the right wears a gold-bordered cloth and rudraksha beads. Behind them a golden umbrella stands over a decorated throne backdrop with yellow flower garlands. Women in purple and orange saris and devotees in saffron watch from the sides, with a drummer seated at the left edge. Several more priests with bare upper bodies are visible in the background.2018-04-14