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A homa is performed in an open-sided orange-walled hall with a small brick fire pit burning at its centre. A woman in a maroon sari with a gold border kneels on an orange cloth, hands raised toward the fire, with a white marigold garland around her neck. Beside her a man in grey robes and a white flower garland kneels with his palms together. Behind them a person in red kneels over brass and copper kalashas topped with mango leaves and yellow flowers, set on a white-covered table. Trays of rice and grains sit before the fire. In the background, seated devotees in white and pink saris and robes watch, and two empty ornate chairs, one gold and red, stand near the wall. Standing attendants in white and saffron clothing are also visible.

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December 23 20102010-12-23A photograph of a homa fire ritual in an orange-walled hall with a corrugated roof. A fire burns in a yellow brick fire pit at centre, surrounded by orange cloth, bowls of grain and rice, and brass kalasha pots with mango leaves and flowers. A woman in a maroon sari with a white flower garland sits with hands raised in prayer, and beside her a man in a light grey kurta and white garland kneels with hands folded. Behind them, a priest in a white dhoti with a yellow shawl stands near a gold and red throne, and several people in white clothes stand or sit along the wall. On the right, decorated deity murtis draped in orange and garlanded with white flowers are arranged on a platform.2010-12-26December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A homa ritual in an orange-walled hall with a corrugated roof. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold trim and a rudraksha mala stands at right, raising a green leaf bundle in one hand while tending a square fire pit built from stacked yellow bricks. Two seated devotees in front left press their palms together: a woman in a maroon sari and a man in a grey shirt with a white flower garland. Other seated figures in white sit behind, and a woman in a white sari stands near the back. Metal bowls of rice, yellow and orange food and laddus sit on the orange cloth in the foreground. At right, a decorated altar holds brass lamps, flower garlands and deity murtis. A red-cushioned and gold throne sits empty in the background.2010-12-26A woman in a maroon sari with a yellow blouse kneels and bows forward, forehead to an orange cloth spread on the floor. A bald man in a grey-blue kurta with a white flower garland stands bent over beside her, one hand extended toward the cloth. Beside them a brick fire pit burns with a visible flame, and steel bowls hold rice, yellow pongal-style rice, lentils and white grains. Flower petals are scattered on the cloth, and a yellow cushion lies at the woman's side. Behind them, seated devotees in white and a figure in a red top are partly visible. This appears to be a homa or yagna offering with padapuja-style prostration.2010-12-26December 23 20102010-12-23A homa or yagna in an orange-walled hall, with a fire pit of stacked yellow bricks and a plate of offerings. In the foreground, a priest in orange robes and a man in white dhoti with beaded necklaces kneel at the altar, one reaching toward the bricks. Behind them, a man in white holds a tray with a yellow fruit, and a seated woman in yellow sits on a red-cushioned throne beside an ornate gold chair. Brass kalashas with mango leaves and coconuts sit on the altar, and a line of women in white saris with gold borders stands at the right. Several people sit on the floor at left, and a framed photo panel hangs on the back wall.2010-12-23A photograph of a homa at a temple hall with orange-painted walls and a corrugated roof. A priest in white dhoti and a gold-bordered shawl kneels at a fire pit built of stacked yellow bricks, tending the flame with a ladle. Beside him stand a woman in a red and green sari and a man in white and a woman in a maroon sari with yellow blouse, the foreground couple holding their hands together in a respectful greeting, all wearing white and orange flower garlands. Bowls of rice, grains and offerings sit on an orange cloth in front, and a side altar holds brass lamps, kalasha pots and deity murtis draped in flower garlands. Smoke rises from the fire, and a few other people in white stand in the background.2010-12-26A ritual puja in a covered courtyard with orange-washed walls. In the foreground a devotee in orange robes lies prostrate on an orange cloth before brass kalasha pots topped with mango leaves and coconuts, with bowls of rice and offerings nearby. Two priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered shawls stand at left; the one at centre tosses yellow flower petals into the air. Behind, a gold ornate throne stands empty. At right, a figure in orange and gold shawls and white floral garlands sits at the altar, and women in saris, including one in green, stand nearby. A brick-lined homa fire pit sits at centre.2010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23