True Colors of India: "Agni Kund". Homa is a Sanskrit word (Hindi: हवन) which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action. Its practice by "Rishis" in ancient time refers close to the Vedic era. At present, the words homa/homam and havan are interchangeable with the word Yajna & Agnihotra. ---> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homa_%28ritual%29