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A shaven-headed priest in an orange-red dhoti and shawl sits cross-legged at the left, holding a silver bowl of white grains or rice and pouring it into a brass vessel. White tripundra markings are on his forehead and arms, with a rudraksha-style bead necklace. In front of him is a square fire pit with an open flame and brass bowls of offerings, some with red petals. Behind, on a raised platform draped in red cloth with green borders, stand several deity murtis in red and green silk garments with garlands and crowns, decorated with flowers. Steps with red and white banding frame the scene. This is a homa-style fire ritual at a temple.

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July 26 20142014-07-26A photograph of an outdoor puja at a temple courtyard. In the left foreground a young shaven-headed priest in an orange-red dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala and white sacred ash markings, sits cross-legged holding a brass plate of white grains. Before him a rectangular stone fire pit burns with an open flame, surrounded by brass vessels and a ladle. Behind the fire, a raised platform draped in red cloth with green borders holds four decorated deity murti figures dressed in saris of red, green and maroon with garlands and ornaments. Steps with red and white bands lead up toward a small shrine with a red backdrop and a canopy above.2014-07-26A photograph of an outdoor homa at a temple-like shrine. A young priest with a shaved head, white tilak marks, rudraksha beads and an orange-red cloth sits cross-legged at left, holding a tray of white grains and offerings. In front of him a square stone fire pit burns with a bright flame. Behind the fire, on a draped red and green cloth platform with stepped white and red-striped stairs, stand several figures in embroidered green, teal and maroon garments with garlands. Brass vessels and a kalasha sit around the fire pit. A canopy and small shrine stand in the background.2014-07-26September 09 20132013-09-09A homa fire burns in a square stone pit in the foreground, with brass vessels and a bowl of white grains beside it. A shaved-headed young person in orange robes with white marks on the forehead sits cross-legged at left, wearing rudraksha beads, and holds a dish. Behind them, a raised platform draped in red cloth with green borders supports several deity murtis dressed in green, maroon and red garments with ornaments and garlands. A figure in orange robes stands on a stage beneath a canopy in the background. Stone steps with red and white bands lead up to the platform.2014-07-26A homa being performed at a brick fire pit with an open flame. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold-bordered cloth sits on a mat, holding a silver bowl of offerings over the fire. To the left, another seated priest in white with a rudraksha-style beaded necklace watches. Behind them, several deity murtis are decorated with garlands and draped in pink, blue and orange cloth, with brass kalasha pots and flower petals on the altar platforms. Partially visible people appear at the left edge.2010-12-26Outdoor homa at a temple-like courtyard where a square stone fire pit with flames and rising smoke sits in front of a tall red-draped deity murti decorated with flowers and garlands. Several robed participants in saffron and orange clothes sit around the fire; a bald man in orange with a gold-beaded necklace and rudraksha mala sits cross-legged, another in orange with rudraksha beads and a vibhuti-marked forehead sits to the right, and a young man in white with a yellow turban and white body markings sits at left. A younger boy in red and gold cloth sits in the foreground. Brass bowls, offerings and a pot rest near the fire, with a stepped red-and-white wall behind.2013-09-09A homa is performed in an open-air pavilion before a decorated deity murti of Ganesha and goddesses, draped in garlands. In the foreground, a large seated figure in saffron-brown robes with a pink-and-white flower garland over the shoulder watches from an orange cushioned seat. Before the altar, a priest in white dhoti and a red-and-white headcloth sits cross-legged tending a fire pit with flames and brass vessels, pots and offerings laid on banana leaves. A tripod-mounted camera stands nearby, and a tiered decorated structure with garlands sits in the background.2014-10-03September 30 20142014-09-30May 20 20142014-05-20A homa fire burns on a floor in a red-walled courtyard at night, with flames rising from wood and ghee offerings arranged around it, and a tray of flowers, fruit and sweets nearby. A young woman in an orange-red sari with a gold necklace stands at left with hands folded. A bare-chested man in a red shawl sits cross-legged before the fire with hands clasped. Behind him, a man in white dhoti and yellow shawl sits with bare chest, and two more priests in white dhotis stand near the back. Brass vessels, oil lamps, a garland-decorated tray and a green cloth surround the ritual space, with a wooden door at left.2016-06-19A square white concrete fire pit holds a burning fire with flames rising from dry wood and offering material at its base. Brass bowls and dishes sit on the left edge beside a bowl of yellow liquid, a small kumkum-marked brass plate, and a ladle. Part of a seated person in reddish-orange clothing with a sari border is visible at the left, and another person in orange-brown robes appears at the upper right. A red and green cloth canopy stands behind the pit, and a peach cloth covers the floor at right. The setting suggests a homa or yagna ritual.2014-07-11