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Night outdoor ritual at a stepped ghat. In the foreground, a figure in saffron-orange robes sits cross-legged with bare shoulder and back toward the camera, facing a homa fire pit with burning wood and flames. Behind the fire, a deity murti and two smaller images are draped in garlands of yellow marigolds and red-and-gold cloth on a blue-draped altar, with a golden canopy above. Brass vessels, a kalasha-style pot, bundled sticks, offerings of fruit and sweets, dried red chillies, and scattered petals lie around the fire pit. Several people in white and red-bordered clothing sit on the steps behind, observing the puja.

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October 08 20132013-10-08Night outdoor ritual at a stepped stone platform. A priest in orange robes and an orange headwrap sits cross-legged at a yellow-tiled fire pit, feeding a bright flame with a ladle while offerings lie beside him. Behind the fire, a deity murti is adorned with marigold garlands and sits under a large golden cobra hood. Several people in white and saffron clothing stand and sit around the platform, and a row of women in saffron and pink saris sits on the steps at right. Brass plates of dried red chillies, marigold flowers, plantain leaves and bundled sticks lie on striped mats in the foreground, with a red sofa and gold-trimmed chair at far right.2013-10-08November 18 20152015-11-18A night-time homa at an open-air pavilion. A priest seated at right, viewed from behind, wears an orange-saffron turban and orange shawl and tends a rectangular fire pit with burning logs and flames. Around the pit sit metal vessels, brass cups, a kalasha and small offerings of flowers and orange marigolds. At left, a large kalasha-like vessel is draped in a purple cloth and garlanded with yellow marigold strings. Behind, a seated group of white-clad devotees, several in white with red shawls, watches. At right, a gilded arch frames a red-and-gold deity murti with multiple arms. Smoke drifts through the scene.2013-10-06Night-time homa at an open-air outdoor setting. A large fire blazes in a golden-edged square fire pit in the centre, with smoke rising. Behind it stands a deity murti with a golden multi-hooded naga canopy, decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands. To the left, a standing man in an orange-brown dhoti and an orange head wrap holds a ladle over the fire. At right, a seated man in orange-brown robes sits on an ornate red and gold throne with hands folded in prayer, and a woman in a brown robe stands beside him with hands joined. Brass vessels, flower offerings, red petals, and a small framed deity picture sit around the fire pit.2013-10-06October 08 20132013-10-08A night-time ritual at a fire pit (homa) in front of a deity murti shaded by a large golden naga hood, with the murti garlanded in yellow flowers and draped in pink cloth on a blue-and-purple covered platform. In the foreground a priest in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a tied orange headcloth, pours from a silver vessel into the flames. On the right a person in a rust-red robe with a bare arm bandage holds a brass bowl of petals and flowers. Behind them a line of people in white and red-brown garments stands on steps, watching. Smoke rises through the scene, and flowers are scattered on the floor.2013-10-08October 06 20132013-10-06October 06 20132013-10-06October 06 20132013-10-06October 08 20132013-10-08A night-time homa at an open-air ritual site. A priest in orange-saffron dhoti and turban at left holds a lit lamp or fire vessel toward the flames. Behind a large fire pit with burning wood, a deity murti with a cobra-hood crown is garlanded with yellow and orange flower garlands. A seated figure in red-brown robes sits in an ornate red-and-gold throne at right with palms pressed together, while a second robed attendant stands behind the fire. Brass vessels, banana leaves, flowers and offerings lie on the floor, and a standing fan sits near the throne.2013-10-06