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A large tented hall during an evening homa. In the foreground, a priest bare-chested in white dhoti and saffron shawl tends a wooden fire pit with a burning flame, surrounded by marigold petals and rangoli in pink and green. Seated on a gilded throne with a long-tasselled canopy above, a man with long hair and a crown-like headdress wears a saffron robe and a long white garland and gold necklace, with devotees in white and saffron standing behind him, many with hands folded in namaskar. Silk umbrella with multicolour fringe, paper lanterns and fairy lights hang overhead. Several dozen people stand and sit around the fire area.

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A large tented hall during a homa fire ritual. A central rectangular wooden fire pit with a burning flame sits on a red floor decorated with marigold petals and coloured rangoli. Seated on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion beneath a multicoloured parasol is a figure wearing a red-brown robe, white flower garland and rudraksha-style beads, hands folded in namaste; the figure's appearance matches a person with the throne and ceremonial dress cues. Standing near the fire, a bare-chested man in white dhoti with an orange headband bends over a tray of offerings. Around them, many seated devotees in white and bare-chested attire sit with hands joined, and a woman in a maroon sari with beads stands at right. Coloured paper lanterns hang from the ceiling and banana fruit, brass pots and flower offerings are arranged in front.2016-12-05A homa fire burns in a large wooden fire pit in a tented pavilion with red floor covering. A seated figure on an ornate gold throne with a canopy topped by a colourful striped umbrella wears a black turban, dark red robes, and a white flower garland, with a gold medallion at the chest. Around the fire, priests in white dhotis and orange or saffron shawls sit or stand performing the ritual, one pouring offerings. Devotees, some with bare upper bodies and hands folded, sit in rows, and a woman in a deep red sari stands at the right. Marigold garlands, flower petals, bananas, and brass vessels surround the pit, and hanging lanterns decorate the ceiling.2016-12-05A homa is performed in a covered hall. A wooden fire pit with flames burns at the lower left, surrounded by yellow flower petals and pink-and-white rangoli borders. A shaved-headed priest in white with an orange turban and red beaded necklace sits cross-legged behind the fire, holding a ritual vessel. Seated on a gold throne with a red cushion and a decorative umbrella overhead is a bearded man wearing a black turban, orange robe, and white flower garlands, with hands folded in greeting. Standing devotees in white dhotis and saffron cloths, some bare-chested, fold their hands in front of him. Brass pots, bananas and flower offerings sit on the right, and a red-and-white tent canopy with hanging decorations fills the background.2016-12-05A large tented hall during an evening fire ritual. In the centre a wooden square fire pit with a bright flame sits on a red floor, surrounded by flower petals, brass vessels and garlands. A shirtless priest in white dhoti and an orange cloth kneels at the fire pit, tending the flames. Seated on an ornate golden throne with a red cloth is a man wearing an orange turban, a red shawl and a long beaded garland; a large multicoloured parasol stands behind him. Around him devotees sit on the floor in white and yellow clothes, and a woman in a maroon sari with a garland stands with folded hands at right. Colourful hanging lanterns decorate the ceiling and lights hang overhead.2016-12-05December 05 20162016-12-05December 05 20162016-12-05A ceremonial fire ritual. A seated figure on a large gold throne with red cushions wears a dark head covering, an orange-red robe, a white flower garland and gold ornaments, with hands pressed together in namaskar. A standing priest in a white dhoti with a bright yellow-and-orange border holds a flower bundle and an orange-clad attendant sits nearby. A woman in a purple sari stands beside the throne, and devotees in white and orange cloth sit on the floor, many with hands folded. A gold umbrella with multicoloured tassels shades the throne, and a brass vessel rests beside the fire pit.2016-12-05December 07 20162016-12-07February 22 20162016-02-22 +1 copiesA large tented hall hung with colourful paper lanterns and tassels during an evening homa. A seated figure on a gold-and-red throne with a red turban and a garland of beads receives attention from a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and gold-bordered cloth who kneels at his side. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in an orange-yellow shawl and white dhoti sits beside a square wooden fire pit holding a small flame, gesturing toward it, with a basket of dried sticks beside him. Brass bowls, banana and fruit offerings, betel leaves and a metal dish of leaves sit on the red mat. A large crowd of seated devotees, many in white and orange, fills the hall.2016-12-07Photograph of a homa or yagna at an outdoor-style temple pavilion at night. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with orange shawl sits at a wooden homa platform with a smoking fire pit, offering spoon and brass vessels in front of him. A seated man on a gold-and-red throne under a colourful canopy wears a saffron-orange turban, rudraksha mala and ceremonial necklace, with a red cloth on the seat. Behind, devotees sit on the floor in lines; a white-haired older priest sits at left. Left background shows a decorated deity shrine with garlands, a kalasha and lamps; a screen is visible at right. Floral garlands and hanging decorations fill the tent.2016-12-07A nighttime outdoor fire ritual, a homa, is performed before a seated audience. A raised square fire pit with a bright flame sits on a tiered base decorated with yellow-orange marigold garlands. A priest in dark clothing with a pink-and-orange turban kneels at the right, holding a tray of offerings near the fire. Another attendant in an orange-brown wrap sits at the far right. A seated figure in a red-orange robe with a multi-strand orange and white flower garland sits on an ornate gold throne with a multicoloured canopy at upper left. Rows of seated devotees in white and maroon clothing fill the background.2016-02-22 +1 copies