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Indoor temple-hall ritual scene with a brick-lined fire pit (homa/yagna) burning at left, surrounded by steel bowls of rice, grain and offerings on an orange cloth. A man in a grey shirt lies prostrate in the foreground with a white flower garland, and another person in a red garment bows low near the fire. Along the right, several deity murtis dressed in orange and saffron silks, with white jasmine garlands, red flowers and ornate headpieces stand on a silver-covered platform beside brass kalashas and pots with green leaves. Two gilded thrones with red cushions stand in the background, and a priest in white dhoti and shawl and other attendants in white move through the orange-walled room.

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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.2010-12-26Photo of a ritual inside a covered open-sided hall with orange-painted walls and a corrugated roof. A bare-chested devotee in white dhoti with a gold-beaded mala prostrates on an orange mat before a golden kalasha-filled arrangement with green coconut tops. A standing priest in white with a gold waist cord holds a tray. On the left, a man in saffron robes and a beaded necklace holds a plate with a yellow offering. Several seated women in saris and devotees sit behind. Ornate gold chairs and a decorated throne stand at the back, and a richly dressed deity murti with flower garlands is at right. Around 20 people visible.2010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23Inside a temple hall with orange-painted walls, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands bowing before a decorated deity murti draped in orange cloth and heaped with red, purple and yellow garlands. A brass oil lamp burns on the floor beside a brick fire pit with offerings. Trays of food, fruit, flowers and sweets are spread on red mats. A portrait in an orange robe sits on a gold-framed throne-like chair at left, and several devotees in white and orange kneel or stand nearby, one woman in a green-and-orange sari among them.2010-11-12December 23 20102010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A homa fire burns in a square brick fire pit on the left of an indoor hall with orange floor mats. A person in a red and green sari kneels and bows forward with forehead to the floor beside a second person in white dhoti and shawl, also prostrating. Brass pots with mango leaves and coconuts, metal plates of rice, yellow flowers and small brass lamps sit on silver-edged platforms. On the right, deity murtis are dressed with white jasmine garlands and red flowers before blue and pink cloth. Behind, a gold ornate chair and several people in white and sari stand watching. Mustard-yellow and rice offerings are arranged in metal bowls at the front.2010-12-26Inside an orange-walled temple hall, a priest in white dhoti sits at a brick fire pit in front of a garlanded altar of deity murtis, with brass kalasha pots and oil lamps before them. Two devotees, one in a red sari, sit on orange cloth with hands folded, and a monk in a white robe sits nearby. A gold-and-red throne stands empty at left, and deity murtis draped with flower garlands line the shrine on the right.2010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A photograph of an outdoor ritual space with an orange-washed wall and a corrugated awning. In the centre a standing priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit camphor or oil flame toward the deity shrine. Seated on orange cloth in front, devotees with hands folded include a bald man in orange-and-white clothing, a woman in a green sari, and a woman in a brown sari. A small square fire pit with burning wood sits in front of them, surrounded by brass kalashas, steel bowls of food and fruit. On the right, several figurines and deity murtis are garlanded with white flowers, with a bright gold-and-red decorated shrine and yellow cloth behind. A gilded throne with red cushion stands empty on the left.2010-12-26Inside an open-sided temple hall with orange walls and a corrugated roof, a homa is performed in front of a shrine. A priest in a saffron-toned garment sits behind a small brick fire pit with a flame, while a seated priest in white and a few devotees in orange and white clothing sit on orange and blue mats. Brass kalasha pots with mango leaves stand on a pedestal in front of the shrine, where decorated deity murtis are garlanded with white flowers and sit on orange and blue cloths. Seated devotees in the foreground wear white flower garlands. At left, a cameraperson in white clothing films beside an ornate golden throne with a red cushion, and a person in saffron stands near the doorway. Four to six people are visible.2010-12-23