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The priest recited the ceremony from a photocopy of a
bhumi puja service; this type of puja is infrequent, so it is not
generally committed to memory like the more common pujas.
Notice the small shovel to the right of the priest and the half-gallon
of milk. Later in the ritual, the shovel is used for the ceremonial
groundbreaking, in which a small hole is dug in the ground. The
milk, along with water from the puja vessels, is poured into the
ground to consecrate it. |
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The devotees distribute more rice among themselves for the continuation of the ceremony. |
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A close-up of the various elements present for the bhumi puja (fruit offerings, rice, incense, flame, flowers). Note the folder containing the contractor's building plans to the right, covered in rice grains. |
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Here the group acknowledges the eight directions (not merely the traditional four of north, south, east and west, but including northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast), tossing rice toward each one. |
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Next, the group acknowledges the earth outside the altar area, the site for the ritual groundbreaking. |
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The group then removed several bricks from the altar area and began decorating them with sacred swastika symbols. |
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It appeared to be the men who performed this decorating, perhaps each as a representative of his family who was present. |
