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Photograph of a homa fire ritual in a hall with marigold garlands and a red floor. Four men in white dhotis with gold borders officiate around a brick fire pit; the man at right, bare-chested with a red cloth, feeds the flames with a stick while another pours from a vessel. A man in a maroon turban and garland stands center holding a conch, and a purple-and-gold ceremonial umbrella stands behind. Behind them, a row of people in saffron and orange robes sits. A seated man at left wears a shawl and rudraksha-style beads. Offerings of coconuts, bananas and flower-decorated platters lie at right, with brass vessels on the floor.

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April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A fire ritual inside a large hall with a red-carpeted floor and marigold garlands strung along the pillars. In the centre, a rectangular fire pit with a burning log and a flame sits on a tiered platform of golden-coloured blocks decorated with flowers. A man in a maroon turban and white dhoti with a gold border stands at the fire holding a ritual vessel; a bare-chested man in a white dhoti with a gold border stands beside him with hands joined. Other priests in white dhotis bend over offering trays and brass vessels. To the left, a purple-and-gold umbrella stands above a seated figure in a saffron garment with rudraksha beads and gold necklaces, surrounded by brass pots and flower offerings. A large heart-shaped floral arrangement and a leafy banana plant decorate the background. The scene reads as a homa or yagna.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A photograph of a ritual at an indoor temple hall with a fire pit (homa/yagna) burning at the centre on a platform decorated with marigold and flower garlands and banana stalks. A standing priest in a white dhoti with gold borders and an orange-and-red turban pours liquid from a brass vessel over a garlanded kalasha, while a second white-clad priest with bare torso and rudraksha beads stands beside him. Two more men in white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces stand by, and a seated man in a black-and-white outfit with a garland sits at left near a small table of brass vessels. A purple and gold canopy (chhatra) stands behind the fire, and a decorated golden arch frame sits at left. Several people in saffron and orange robes and a woman in purple sari are visible in the background.2018-04-14Ritual fire ceremony inside a hall with white walls and a pink-red floor. In the centre, priests in white dhotis with gold borders stand around a square fire pit with burning wood and flames, with orange and yellow marigold garlands on the stone platform. The lead priest in the centre wears a maroon turban and holds a ceremonial vessel with a white cloth. Other men beside him wear gold-bordered white dhotis and beaded necklaces, one bare-chested. Behind them is a purple ornate umbrella, a green banana stalk and trident-shaped staffs. At left, a man with long dark hair and a garland sits on a red mat beside brass vessels and oil lamps, and several women in saris and devotees stand behind a rail at right.2018-04-14A homa fire ritual inside a temple hall with a red floor. A standing priest in a maroon-and-red turban and bare chest, wearing white dhoti with gold borders and rudraksha-style beaded necklace, holds a ladle over a flaming fire pit. Beside him, other priests in white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces stand attentively. On the left, a man in orange cloth sits near a decorated backdrop, and a seated devotee in saffron and a woman in purple sari are nearby. A white and gold ornate umbrella canopy hangs over the altar. Brick-like offerings stacked with marigold garlands, brass vessels, coconuts and a kalasha lie in front of the fire pit, with a garlanded wooden stick above the flame. Visible roles are priests and devotees, not a confirmed identity.2018-04-14April 14 20182018-04-14A homa fire ritual inside a hall with a brick fire pit ringed by marigold and flower garlands, flames rising from logs on the bricks. A man bent forward over the fire pours or tends an offering with a ladle, wearing a red and gold shawl over bare shoulders and white dhoti with gold border. Standing behind him, bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders and rudraksha or flower malas hold ritual items; one holds a bundle of grass. On the left, a seated man with long hair and flower garlands sits near a decorated heart-shaped frame of flowers, with brass vessels and kalasha pots on the red floor. A purple and gold ornate umbrella stands overhead, and banana plants flank the scene.2018-04-14A photograph of a homa fire ritual at a temple construction site, with a sacrificial fire pit lined with red-and-brown bricks and flower petals. Several priests in orange and saffron dhotis, some bare-chested with rudraksha malas, stand and kneel around the fire. One priest in a mustard-yellow shawl holds a long ladle and offerings over the flames, while another in white dhoti pours from a brass vessel. A brass kalasha and lamps sit on red striped mats, marigold garlands hang from the tall ceiling, and a green umbrella and decorated poles stand in the background. A woman in a white top stands at the right edge, photographing the scene.2018-04-14 +1 copiesPhotograph of a temple ritual in a pillared hall with a red and white striped mat. In the foreground, a priest in yellow silk dhoti and shawl holds a brass plate of offerings near a burning fire pit on the floor, with a second priest in yellow and a man in white dhoti nearby. Several figures stand with palms pressed together. Behind them, a central figure in red-brown robes wears a white floral garland and a long pink-and-white flower garland, flanked by people in orange and saffron robes. Banana leaves, marigold and rose garlands, brass pots and lamps decorate the area, and a large floral-garlanded deity murti sits on a decorated altar on the right under colourful umbrellas. The scene suggests a homa or puja at a temple.2018-04-14 +1 copies