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A homa ritual in an outdoor temple setting with a lit fire pit of stacked bricks and marigold petals in the foreground. Behind it, a decorated altar with a multicoloured serpent-based base, lion figures and garlands holds offerings. A man in a white shirt with a red sash stands at centre, flanked by priests: one bare-chested with a rudraksha mala and white dhoti, another in saffron robes holding an offering basket. A seated priest in white dhoti with a pink head cloth tends the fire. Behind, large painted deity statues and ornate gold-and-black shrines frame the scene. Several people in white and saffron stand around the altar.

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June 30 20162016-06-30A ritual homa at an outdoor ceremony under a decorated pavilion with ornate golden deity shrines behind. A woman in white clothing with a red sash stands at a tiered ceremonial altar of painted wood topped with ganesha figures, lion-supported steps and a carved cobra base, decorated with red and pink flowers and garlands. Near the altar, a bare-chested man in a white dhoti with a red sash pours from a vessel, and a man in white holds a tray. Beside them, a man in an orange robe with a shoulder sash stands with his back to the camera. In the foreground, men in white and saffron dhotis and garlands sit on green mats around a brick fire pit where flames rise above offerings of flowers and ritual vessels. Several people are visible, including partially visible figures on the edges.2016-06-30A photograph of a Vedic homa fire ritual inside a temple hall. A tall flame rises from a tiered wooden fire altar stacked with wooden logs and flower-decorated offerings, set on a green cloth. Several priests sit or stand around it: one bare-chested man in a white dhoti with a marigold garland, another in a white dhoti with a red-and-white cloth over his shoulder holding an offering bowl, and a third in a headband and garland seated at the fire with a brass vessel. Seated devotees in white watch from the back, and a row of musicians with microphones sits at the right. Behind are gilded shrines with deity murtis under pink and violet lighting, and brass oil lamps and kalashas stand on the floor.2016-07-02June 30 20162016-06-30A photograph of a sacred fire ritual inside a richly decorated Hindu temple hall with pink and silver shrine alcoves holding deity murtis. A large blazing homa fire rises from a stacked brick fire pit topped with a tiered ornate golden altar, decorated with red flowers. On the left, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a saffron-coloured shawl and rudraksha mala sits with hands folded, beside a standing man in white dhoti with a saffron sash and a yellow-brown headwrap seated near him. On the right, a young man in white dhoti and purple-striped sash bends forward tending the fire. Seated devotees in white and orange clothes watch in the background, and green mats cover the floor.2016-07-02A homa is performed at a brick fire pit under a white tent, with a large flame rising from the bricks decorated with marigold garlands. A bald priest with a bare chest and a saffron-brown shawl sits cross-legged at the fire, with a red-and-gold sash and beaded necklaces. A man in a patterned saffron-and-gold garment on the right ladles offerings into the fire. Several people in white and saffron dress stand and sit around, including a woman in a white sari and a man in white with a saffron shawl who bows over an altar of flowers. Brass lamps, a kalasha, and a colourful striped cloth lie nearby, with a deity image on a red backdrop in the background.2015-07-17A 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.2015-09-14A 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.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.2015-09-14July 04 20162016-07-04A photograph of a Vedic homa fire ritual at a temple. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a yellow-and-green shawl and a golden-yellow headwrap sits on a green mat, extending his right arm toward a tiered fire altar with a flame. The fire altar is built of stacked golden-yellow bricks decorated with red and white flower petals, and behind it a tiered decorated structure with carved lions and a cobra motif. Several seated devotees in white clothes and red-orange shawls sit behind the priest, and a pile of white flowers sits in a basket at left. Deity murtis and colourful decorations fill the background.2016-07-02A 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.2015-09-14