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A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a hall with a tiled floor covered in woven mats. A square brick fire pit with a burning flame sits in the centre. A man in an orange robe with a shawl stands at the pit, while a woman in a purple sari with a shawl nearby assists with offerings. Around them, priests in dark red and orange dhotis wear rudraksha and gold-bead necklaces, and others wear white dhotis. On the right, an ornate golden-and-red deity palanquin or altar stands with a lion figure and offering trays of lit lamps.

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September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14A homa is performed at a brick-lined fire pit with a bright flame and burning sticks. Several priests stand around it: a bare-chested man in orange dhoti pours from a ladle, a man in orange robe holds a spoon, and a man in red-and-gold dhoti stands at left beside a man in white dhoti and gold necklace. A bare-chested priest in orange cloth kneels at right. Behind them stands an ornate deity murti with gold and red decoration beside brass lamps and offerings on a red-and-white striped mat backdrop. Some people are partly visible behind. Count visible people: about 8.2015-09-14A homa fire ritual in a tent-like hall. A fire burns in a brick-lined square fire pit on a green cloth with striped mats. A man in an orange robe with bare shoulders stands at the fire, hands together, while a priest in an orange-red dhoti kneels beside the pit. Other priests in white and rust-coloured dhotis wear rudraksha malas and stand along the left side. On the right, a decorated silver-and-gold palanquin or deity stand with lion figures and a deity murti is visible. Brass oil lamps and offerings sit on the cloth.2015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14A homa is performed at a brick-lined fire pit with a lit flame burning on dry wood. A bare-chested priest in orange-red dhoti and shawl pours offerings near the fire, while a man in an orange-red dhoti and shawl at right holds a vessel above the pit. A man in an orange robe and a shawl stands centre-back with hands held together. Another man in a purple shawl and orange dhoti assists at left-centre. A standing man in white dhoti and gold-beaded necklace stands at left, and seated devotees sit on striped mats in the background. At right stands a decorated ornate altar with lion figures, brass lamps and white-flower offerings.2015-09-14A homa fire burns inside a brick fire pit in an indoor hall with a corrugated metal wall. A woman in an orange sari stands at the fire, and a bare-chested priest in orange cloth kneels at the pit, tending it with a ladle-like vessel. Around them, men in maroon and orange shawls, white dhotis and gold-bead necklaces stand on striped woven mats, one holding a bowl. On the right, a decorated altar displays brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels, and figurines. Several people stand in a line beyond the fire; the visible people are a small group.2015-09-14A homa fire ritual in progress. A brick-lined fire pit holds flaming wood and ash at the bottom centre. A man in orange cloth sits cross-legged at the front right, pouring from a small vessel into the fire. Behind the fire, a seated man in a long orange robe with a bare upper body and a wide crimson-and-gold sash, adorned with a large gold pendant and a rudraksha-style necklace, sits with hands together. Beside him a man in a purple cloth and ochre dhoti is seated, and further back a man in white stands. On the right, brass lamps, a metal pot and rows of small white packets are arranged on shelves. Woven striped mats in red, green and blue cover the floor.2015-09-14A homa fire pit lined with yellow brick, with flames rising from burning wood and offerings of seeds and red petals, is the centre of the scene. A man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged at the fire and tends the flames with a ladle. Beside him, a man in a plain orange cloth and a purple shawl kneels and tends the fire, and a seated man in orange robes with a gold necklace and a gold garland watches. Behind them, priests in white dhotis and orange cloths attend a row of small white lamps and a brass lamp stand, and a shelf of carved deity and animal figures is visible on the right. A central figure in orange robes, with long grey hair, sits calmly with hands folded. The scene appears to be a ritual homa in progress at an outdoor setup with a colourful striped mat.2015-09-14