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A night-time homa or yagna ritual held outdoors before a decorated deity backdrop with a large statue, garlands and lit oil lamps. Several priests seated on mats in white dhotis and shawls, some bare-chested with rudraksha malas, tend a square fire pit with offerings, ghee bowls and flowers. A seated figure in a red and gold throne and blue garment sits behind the pit, with an orange-robed attendant standing nearby. Strings of coloured lights, tassel decorations and a parked vehicle surround the open-air setting.

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October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time homa ritual in an open-air pandal decorated with strings of lights, flower garlands and colourful pillars. In the foreground a fire pit with ash and a brass vessel stands before a seated priest in white dhoti and a bare-chested sadhu with gold beads, who tends the fire. Behind them a figure in a turban and white shawl with a garland sits in a red and gold throne chair, and a man in a saffron robe with a turban sits in a cream armchair, both with white-smeared foreheads. Seated women in orange and red saris with flower garlands sit near oil lamps and a brass kalasha, while white-clad priests stand behind and a deity murti dressed with flower garlands is at left.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual before a large decorated Devi murti with multiple arms and a lion mount, adorned with white and red garlands. Several men in white dhoti-style clothing with bare upper bodies and beaded necklaces sit cross-legged around a square fire pit (homa kunda) with ritual vessels, a ladle, brass lamps and plates of fruit and offerings. Behind them a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure sits on an ornate red and gold throne. Colourful string lights and banners decorate the open courtyard.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an outdoor temple-like pavilion. Around a square fire pit, several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls, wearing gold-coloured necklaces, sit and perform the ritual, one pouring from a metal bowl. Behind them, a young person in a turquoise-blue garment and gold necklaces sits on a red and gold throne-like chair. Behind the fire pit, a standing figure wears orange-saffron robes. To the left, a large deity murti with a lion mount and colourful decorations stands among flower garlands, kalasha-style brass lamps and palm leaves. Red string lights and hanging banners fill the background.2010-10-15Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in front of an illuminated deity murti of Durga with a lion mount, decorated with white flower and bead ornaments and garlands. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces, sit around a square fire pit with a bright flame, tending offerings, pouring from copper vessels and handling ritual implements. Plates of fruit, red chillies, kalasha pots and oil lamps surround them. Behind the priests, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure, and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight-time homa in a street-side pandal. A square fire pit glows with flame at centre, with white-robed priests in white dhotis and shawls seated around it, some with bare upper bodies and sacred threads, one standing and officiating with a ladle-like vessel. Behind them stands a large deity murti with a white floral halo and garlands, flanked by lion figure and other figures, with oil lamps on stands and brass plates of fruit and offerings in front. On a red throne with gold trim to the right sits a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure with a crown or turban shown in the picture; this is a portrait, not a physical person. Strings of coloured lights and banners decorate the background, and red chilies and nuts are laid out on trays. This depicts a Chandi homa ritual.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa ceremony. Several priests in white dhoti and shawl sit around a square fire pit with a sunken centre, pouring offerings and ghee; some wear gold necklaces and sacred thread. Behind them stand large white-framed deity murtis, including a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, bowls of flowers and rows of dried red chillies are arranged on the altar. Strings of lights and colourful festival banners hang in the background. On a red velvet throne with gold trim sits a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure with long hair, labelled as a portrait rather than a physical person. Four to six priests are visible in the scene.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at an ashram-style pavilion decorated with string lights and bunting. Several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, some wearing rudraksha malas, sit on the ground around a low wooden platform with a lit oil lamp and brass vessels, some seated and one pouring or offering. Behind them a large white-decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands beside a lion figure. A framed portrait on a red throne shows a saffron-robed figure seated in meditation. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, red flowers and offerings are arranged on the ground in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copies