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Night-time homa at a shed-roofed hall: a brick fire pit with a bright flame and rising smoke sits in the centre. A figure in orange-red robes sits cross-legged at the right edge of the pit, with a small kalasha and offering bowls before them. At left stands a large golden-framed deity murti of Durga-style form with multiple arms, flanked by smaller figures and a lion mount, under a fringed orange umbrella. Behind the pit, a seated figure in white garb sits before a red canopy, and a golden seat or peetha with marigold garlands and a framed image lies at the right. Mounds of banana-leaf offerings and brass vessels cover the purple cloth in front.

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October 09 20212021-10-09Night photograph of a Chandi homa in an open-sided shed with a corrugated metal roof and bright lights. A fire burns in a rectangular brick fire pit on a maroon cloth. A seated priest in orange-red robes with long hair stands at the right, holding a long ladle over the fire. Behind him is a golden ornate arch with lion figures and flower garlands. On the left, a large golden-framed deity murti with many arms, a lion mount and an orange canopy stands on a gold cloth. Nearby stand a smaller red-umbrella altar with a flower garland and a cow standing in the background. Several leaf-wrapped coconut offerings, brass bowls and flower petals sit on the floor. No readable a person candidate is clearly visible; the seated figure is a priest in ochre clothing.2021-10-09Photograph of a homa fire ritual at night in a large hall with a corrugated metal roof and bright stage lights. A single person in a dark red-brown robe stands at the right, leaning over a rectangular fire pit where orange flames rise through smoke. To the left stands an ornate golden and multicoloured deity murti with many arms, surrounded by decorative gold and red framing. Behind it a red and gold parasol-style canopy shelters a small seated figure garlanded with flowers. Small clay lamps and banana-leaf offerings sit on a purple cloth in the foreground, and a further illuminated altar with floral garlands appears at the back.2021-10-08Night scene inside a large open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof and bright lights. On the left stands an ornate deity murti with a golden arch and orange canopy, surrounded by figures with multiple arms. In the centre sits a painted figure on a dark cushioned seat under a red canopy, garlanded with marigolds. On the right is a decorated offering table with garlands and gold-trimmed fittings. In the foreground, a single person in orange robes with long dark hair sits with their back to the camera before a small brick fire pit with a lit flame, consistent with a homa offering. Purple cloths cover the floor and oil lamps are lit.2021-10-09Night ritual in an open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof and bright overhead lights. At left, a figure in an orange turban and orange-brown robe tends a flaming brick fire pit, a homa. Centre, a large deity murti with many arms is framed by a marigold garland and a red canopy umbrella. Right, a bearded man in an orange turban and white-and-orange clothing sits on a raised seat under a red umbrella, garlanded with flower garlands and a long mala. A tray of flowers and cows rest in the background, with trishula staffs flanking the altar.2021-10-11Night-time homa in an open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof. In the foreground, a priest in orange-red robes and an orange head wrap holds a tray of flowers and burning offerings toward a large brick fire pit where flames rise. Behind the fire, a deity murti of Durga or Chandi stands within a marigold-garlanded arch, flanked by brass trishul staves and a red umbrella. To the right, a seated figure on a gold throne under a red umbrella is depicted in a printed cutout or framed image, wearing an orange head wrap, orange robe and marigold garlands. Purple cloth covers the floor, with brass plates of flowers and offerings nearby. Cattle are visible in the background.2021-10-11October 08 20212021-10-08A night ritual photograph in a large hall with a metal roof, smoke filling the air. A figure in a dark red garment stands at a dark fire pit, feeding or stirring a flame with a long red cloth, while smoke rises around them. To the left, an ornate deity murti with multiple arms, a lion mount and a gold-framed halo is decorated with garlands and draped gold fabric, beneath a red and gold canopy. Behind, a second canopy shelters a flower-garlanded altar, and a brightly lit decorated altar stands on the right with a small oil lamp nearby. Offerings and small brass vessels sit on the ground.2021-10-08Night-time homa at an open-sided hall during Navaratri. A seated priest in an orange-saffron garment with a sash sits at a brick fire pit where a flame burns, feeding it with offerings. Behind him, a colourful deity murti of a multi-armed goddess stands within a marigold-garlanded arch under a red umbrella. To the right, a seated figure on a throne wears a white and red garland under a red and gold umbrella, with a cow nearby. Brass plates of fruit, flowers, and ritual items lie on a purple cloth strewn with petals and oil lamps. Smoke fills the upper hall.2021-10-08October 08 20212021-10-08October 11 20212021-10-11October 13 20212021-10-13