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A homa fire ceremony in an indoor hall. A brick-built fire pit with a bright open flame sits centre frame, surrounded by flower garlands, lemons, apples, bananas and other fruit offerings arranged on the pit's edge. Two women sit cross-legged in white saris with orange-red shawls; the woman on the left has her palms pressed together in namaste, while the woman in the centre holds a ladle over a steel bowl and tends the offerings. Behind them, steps hold fruit, coconuts, marigold garlands and plates of offerings, and a decorated deity murti or altar stands on an orange-draped platform under a garland. Two young girls with braided hair sit at the lower right, watching the fire. A painted backdrop of trees hangs on the upper wall.

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October 26 20112011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26A homa or yagna at an indoor shrine hall. A brick fire pit burns with a tall flame and is decorated with marigold petals and red flowers. Two women in white sarees with gold borders and orange shawls sit on mats; the woman on the left has her palms pressed together in namaskar, and the woman in the centre tends the fire with a ladle-like tool and a bowl. Steps behind hold fruit offerings, coconuts, bananas, apples, oranges, a kalasha-style vessel and brass dishes. Above, a decorated deity murti stands on a wooden altar garlanded with flowers, with a painted mural on the wall.2011-10-26A homa fire burns on a brick fire pit in the foreground, surrounded by flower-decorated offerings including coconuts, bananas, apples, mangoes and bowls of kumkum. A priest in white dhoti and an orange-red shawl sits on the left, tending the fire with a ladle, beside a microphone stand. Two young girls with dark hair sit at the right, watching. Behind, a wooden altar holds a garlanded deity murti and a kalasha on an orange-draped platform.2011-10-26A homa fire ceremony in an ashram hall. A woman in a white sari with an orange border sits cross-legged on a mat, feeding a brick fire altar built in tiers with a bright flame rising from it, while holding a ladle over a steel bowl. Her long hair is in a braid. Behind her, steps are arranged with fruit, coconuts, marigold garlands and flower-decorated offerings, and a deity murti stands under a canopy with an orange cloth. Two women in white and yellow blouses with long braids sit in the foreground, and a man in white sits at left with hands folded. Plates of grains and pulses surround the mat. No a person candidate is visible.2011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26A photograph of a homa fire ceremony in a hall with a white wall and a painted backdrop. Two women in white saris with orange shawls sit on a mat before a brick fire pit with a bright flame. The woman on the left holds her hands in prayer, while the woman in the center tends the fire with a ladle, near a metal vessel. Brick and white-draped steps hold fruit, flowers, coconuts and kumkum-filled plates, and a small deity murti in a garlanded shrine sits at the top. Several people with braided hair sit with their backs to the camera in the foreground, and rows of small plates of grains and offerings lie at the lower left.2011-10-26Devotional ritual in an indoor hall with a raised altar at the back. Three women sit on a mat in the foreground: one in a white sari with an orange border, hands pressed together in prayer; a woman in a white sari holding a lit oil lamp (aarti) over offerings; and a partially visible woman with a long braid and orange shawl at the left edge. A brass lamp with a flame stands on a white-cloth covered platform of fruit, coconuts, marigold petals and bowls. On the altar behind, a deity murti in orange and green garments and a garland sits on an orange cloth, with a large framed painting above. Brass vessels and flower-decorated trays are placed around the puja area.2011-10-26A photograph of a fire ritual inside a temple hall at night. A woman in a white sari with an orange-red shawl sits cross-legged before a blazing fire pit, holding a ritual vessel toward the flames, with a microphone stand beside her. Behind the fire, a tiered altar is decorated with yellow marigold garlands and piled with fruit, and a deity murti dressed in red and garlanded stands above it. Several seated people are visible at the edges of the frame, including a woman on the left and figures in the right foreground, all facing the fire. Lit oil lamps and offerings surround the homa area.2011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26A homa fire ritual in a temple hall lit by warm lamplight. A woman in a white sari with an orange-red shawl sits cross-legged at a microphone stand, holding a brass plate and making offerings into a tall flame rising from a fire pit. Beside her a second woman in an orange shawl sits with folded hands. Tables before the fire hold fruits, flower garlands, coconuts and offering bowls. Behind them a deity murti adorned with a flower garland sits on a decorated pedestal, and a painted backdrop covers the wall. Several silhouetted devotees sit in the foreground watching the ritual.2011-10-26