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Night outdoor ritual homa at a temple-like ground lit by bright floodlights, with a large crowd of devotees standing behind. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and shawl with gold-bordered trim, hands folded in namaste, sits before a microphone on a striped mat. Beside a brick fire pit, several priests in saffron and orange robes with rudraksha malas and folded hands perform the ritual. A golden ornate palanquin or peetha with a pink and gold cloth stands at left, with brass kalasha pots and marigold garlands. Two white-clad devotees sit at the fire pit, and a woman in a dark saree stands near the pit.

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November 10 20112011-11-10Night outdoor fire ritual lit by a bright floodlight. A man in orange robes and gold-bead necklace raises a burning camphor flame over a brick fire pit (homa/aarti setting) with a brass vessel. Seated around it are priests in white and orange cloth, a woman in an orange sari with a long braid, and a woman in white and gold-bordered sari with hands folded. Marigold garlands and yellow flowers lie on the orange mat, a decorated shrine with red flowers stands at left, and a crowd watches behind a barrier strung with lights.2011-11-10Night outdoor ritual homa at a fire pit built from golden-yellow bricks, with a small flame burning in the centre and flower petals and marigold garlands scattered on the bricks. Several priests sit cross-legged on an orange cloth: a central figure in saffron-orange robes with a white-and-orange garland, a seated priest in orange robes and beaded garland beside him, and priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered shawls. A bald priest in white holds a silver vessel. A woman in an orange sari sits with her back to the camera in the foreground. Bright stage lights illuminate the scene while a large crowd of devotees in white and coloured clothing stands behind, with a loudspeaker and string lights visible.2011-11-10Night outdoor fire ritual, a homa, performed on a brick fire pit built of yellow-brown bricks decorated with white flowers, with a flame and smoke rising. A bare-headed priest in an orange-saffron cloth with rudraksha beads and a gold chain sits cross-legged, holding a ritual vessel. Beside him a shaved-headed man in white dhoti with a gold chain and folded hands sits, and another priest in white clothes with a tilak and folded hands kneels. In the foreground two women sit on an orange cloth with their heads bowed in prayer, one in an orange sari and one in a white sari with an orange shawl. Behind them, a golden deity murti stands on a decorated platform beside yellow and orange marigold garlands, with a crowd of devotees and street lights in the background.2011-11-10Night-time outdoor ritual on a green cloth-covered ground under bright floodlights. At centre, a seated priest in saffron-orange robe with a rudraksha mala and a kumkum-marked forehead tends a fire-pit built of stacked golden bricks, with a brass kalasha and banana leaves with offerings nearby. To his right, another priest in white dhoti chants with folded hands beside a white-robed figure holding a microphone. Left, a golden palanquin carries an orange-clad deity murti garlanded with white and yellow flowers. Behind, a large seated and standing crowd in white and yellow clothes watches, with a screen and string lights in the background.2011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20Night outdoor ritual at a homa fire pit lined with rows of brick-like pieces, with a small flame burning at the centre. Several priests sit behind it in saffron-orange dhotis with rudraksha malas and gold-coloured necklaces, and one in white dhoti with a gold necklace sits at left. A man in white robes with gold borders stands in the foreground speaking into a microphone, with paper in hand. Brass vessels, a golden palanquin-like stand, marigold garlands and yellow flowers, and a bowl of rice are arranged on a green leaf at left. A large crowd in white clothes watches behind, with bright floodlights overhead.2011-11-10Night outdoor ritual on a green mat under string lights. A seated man in orange robe with rudraksha mala sits before a fire pit built of stacked gold-coloured bricks, with a second seated priest in white beside him. A bald priest in white dhoti with gold-bordered shawl sits at right holding a microphone. At left a golden palanquin carries a deity murti in orange and gold draped with white and yellow flower garlands. Behind them a seated crowd of devotees in white clothes watches, with banana leaves and offerings at right and a tented structure beyond.2011-12-20December 20 20112011-12-20Night-time outdoor ritual on a green cloth-covered stage lit by floodlights. A bald man in white dhoti with a gold chain stands at centre, behind a seated priest in orange robes facing a tray of offerings. A second priest in white sits at right beside brass vessels, fruit, flowers and a large silver-and-gold ceremonial platform. Behind them a row of women in maroon and yellow saris sits in rows, and a decorated deity murti in orange and marigold garlands stands at right. Ritual implements, bananas, flower garlands and coconuts lie on the floor, with onlookers in the background.2011-12-20November 10 20112011-11-10Night outdoor homa at a large open-air pavilion decorated with coloured streamers and a banner reading in Tamil. A figure seated on a gold-carved throne wears an orange robe and a red-and-orange cloth and has a hand raised. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in orange robes holds a flaming lamp aloft over a brick fire pit with flowers on its rim. A gold-framed deity murti stands on a gold table, with a kalasha-style vessel nearby. Seated devotees in white dhotis and orange robes, some with palms joined, surround the scene, and a man at left reads from a book. Bright floodlights light the scene.2011-11-10