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Photograph of a homa ritual in a covered hall with a white cloth backdrop and ceiling fans. Smoke rises through the air. At center, a blue-banded fire pit sits on a brick base with a kalasha-like vessel and floral offerings, and a decorated deity murti sits on a red and gold throne draped in orange and yellow marigold garlands. Several priests in white dhotis and saffron-brown shawls stand and kneel around the fire; one priest on the left wears a pink turban and a beaded necklace, and another in the foreground on the right sits in white with an orange shawl reading from a text. A standing man in a white dhoti and orange shawl holds a ritual object near the fire. Ornate gold ceremonial umbrellas and lamp stands surround the scene, and a small group of onlookers stands behind brass railings.

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July 17 20152015-07-17July 17 20152015-07-17July 17 20152015-07-17A temple-style ritual hall with a white canopy and wooden floor. Golden peetha seats at the back hold two deity murtis draped in garlands of orange and yellow marigolds, with a decorated crown-like murti at centre, and a red-draped altar behind them. In the centre, a standing man in a white dhoti and gold-trimmed shawl, with a gold necklace, stands before a blue-draped table covered with flowers and a kalasha on a pedestal. To the left, a bald priest in a rust-orange shawl sits near brass pots, lamps and flower-decorated kalashas. Several women in rust and maroon robes with rudraksha malas stand nearby, and two men in white dhotis sit cross-legged on the right with microphones. Flower-strewn offerings and brass vessels cover the floor, consistent with a homa and samaya deeksha ritual.2015-07-17July 17 20152015-07-17A photo of a ritual hall with a white tent ceiling. In the centre, a large blue-draped platform holds a tall brass sculpture decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands and a kalasha-like top. On the right, two gold-decorated deity murti sit on a red-draped throne with marigold garlands. In the foreground, priests in white dhotis sit on the floor beside brass lamps, flower-decorated pots and offering plates; one wears an orange turban and another an orange shawl. Standing devotees in white and saffron-brown clothing gather on the left, one man in white kurta holding folded hands near a golden ceremonial umbrella-like canopy. Fruit, flowers and marigolds are arranged on the floor.2015-07-17A homa ritual in a hall with a white backdrop and a golden throne at the right. Several priests in white dhotis and orange-bordered cloth sit or stand with palms joined. A tiered central kalasha-style structure stands on a blue-skirted platform, garlanded with yellow and red flowers, with a decorated umbrella above. In the foreground, a priest in white seated on the floor tends a fire pit with smoke rising, next to offerings of fruit, flowers, brass bowls and an oil lamp. On the right, a golden throne draped with orange-and-yellow marigold garlands holds deity murtis; a standing figure in orange cloth and rudraksha beads stands beside it. Golden ceremonial standards frame the scene.2015-07-17A homa ritual in a covered hall with white tent draping. A seated priest in a red turban and rudraksha mala tends a fire pit with burning flames, surrounded by marigold garlands, flower bowls and brass vessels. Standing figures in saffron and ochre robes stand behind a blue-draped altar; one bald man in white dhoti and saffron shawl holds his hands together, and a monk in rust-coloured robes operates a microphone. A golden kalasha stands on a decorated base with a decorated deity murti behind. Several seated devotees in white are visible at the left and right edges.2015-07-17July 17 20152015-07-17July 17 20152015-07-17A ritual hall during a homa for Samaya Deeksha with a gilded ceremonial throne and a decorated deity murti with garlands at right. A standing priest in maroon-red robes with gold borders and a rudraksha mala faces the altar, hands raised in a gesture of worship. Another priest in similar maroon robes stands at right holding a microphone. Seated devotees in white and maroon clothes fill the background, with brass lamps, floral offerings and a kalasha with garlands on a blue-draped table in front. A white draped backdrop and an umbrella frame the scene.2015-07-17A homa ritual in a tented hall before a golden throne with a seated deity murti garlanded in marigolds and red flowers. A blue-rimmed fire pit burns with flames in front, topped by a tiered kalasha-like structure draped in marigold garlands. Four men in white dhotis and orange-red shawls stand around; one at left pours an offering while the men on the right hold microphones and stand near the throne. A man at left wears a purple-banded wrap and rudraksha-style malas. Brass oil lamps, flower offerings and red brick fire platform surround the scene. No individual is clearly identified as a person by appearance.2015-07-17