Excavations at the ancient Harappan port city of Lothal have uncovered a series of precisely aligned terracotta-lined pits containing deep layers of aromatic ash. Chemical residue tests have identified traces of frankincense, cedarwood, and ghee, indicating that these pits served as giant incense burners. The pits are arranged in a circular formation that aligns perfectly with the sunset during the summer solstice.
Researchers believe these findings point to the existence of large-scale communal fire festivals where the entire city gathered to witness the aromatic smoke rising towards the setting sun. Unlike the domestic fire altars previously found in the Indus Valley, these public installations suggest a sophisticated communal tradition of sky-greeting rituals that may have influenced later South Asian Vedic practices.