Agnihotra refers to the yajna of offering ghee into the sacred fire as per strict rites, and may include twice-daily heated milk offering made by those in the Śrauta tradition. The ritual has been described by P.E. Dumont as a "fertility charm", and as a "solar charm" which symbolically preserved and created the sun at nightfall and sunrise.
Agni, recipient of the evening Agnihotra, with his consort Svaha.
Sunrise over Shree Antu, Nepal.
A modern Agnihotra after Gajanan Maharaj underway in British Columbia.
Yajna in Hinduism refers to any ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras. Yajna has been a Vedic tradition, described in a layer of Vedic literature called Brahmanas, as well as Yajurveda. The tradition has evolved from offering oblations and libations into sacred fire to symbolic offerings in the presence of sacred fire (Agni).
A yajna being performed by Nambudiris of Kerala
A mandala for yajna in Kumbheshwar Temple in Nepal
Priests performing Vedic yajña at Vishnu Kunda in Thirumakudalu Narasipura
Old Durga Mandir, Banaras