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Nithyanandapedia
July 22 2013

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A homa fire burns in a square stone fire pit at night, with flames and smoke rising. Around it, a group of young saffron-robed sannyasi boys and younger initiates sit on striped mats, many with shaved heads and tripundra marks, some holding offerings. A saffron-robed priest stands at center, leaning toward the fire. On the right, a figure seated on an ornate throne wears a saffron turban, a shawl, a heavy gold-and-garland necklace and rudraksha-style beads, with wrists adorned with bangles, and holds his hands in a blessing posture. Brass vessels and small offering plates sit near the pit, with a lit oil lamp and a shaved-head devotee in the foreground. Spectators in white stand in the background.2013-07-22February 07 20162016-02-07A night outdoor homa at a KAILASA ashram during a satsang. A central figure seated on a silver-backed wooden throne with gold legs wears saffron robes, a long rudraksha-style mala and gold necklaces, with long swept-back hair. Before a square fire pit with burning wood, seated disciples in orange and saffron robes with gold borders, many with shaved heads and malas, sit in rows and hold offerings; women in red-and-gold saris and malas sit nearby. A woman in an orange sari stands at the upper right, and string lights hang overhead. Brass vessels, a plate of offerings and sticks of wood lie around the fire pit.2013-03-10July 22 20132013-07-22A homa fire ritual at night in an open courtyard. A fire burns in a yellow-edged stone fire pit strewn with yellow flowers. Five young men in saffron-orange robes sit around it. The central one wears an orange turban and a gold necklace, and pours an offering from a ladle into the flames. Another wears a rudraksha mala and holds a ladle; a man in an orange shawl and brown beaded mala speaks into a microphone, and another holds a small silver vessel. Smoke rises above them. White sacred ash marks the foreheads and arms of the men.2013-11-04February 07 20162016-02-07March 10 20132013-03-10Night-time homa at an open ashram courtyard. A fire burns in a yellow-and-white tiered fire pit decorated with painted motifs, with dry grass laid around its base. Several shaved-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit cross-legged around the fire, some making offerings. At right, a figure in white dhoti with a white head cloth and white shawl sits beside the fire, along with another in white. A man in orange robes sits in the background. A yellow flower garland and a tray of fruit sit at the right edge. Smoke rises into the dark roof area.2013-10-15March 10 20132013-03-10A night homa at an open-air ashram setting. A large square fire pit with bright flames sits in the foreground, surrounded by seated devotees in saffron and orange robes and brown clothing. At the centre, a man in an orange-and-brown robe with a yellow-orange head wrap and a heavy yellow-and-white flower garland sits on an ornate silver-coloured throne, hands joined in a gesture of respect. a person seated on a peetha at the homa, with cues of a head wrap, orange ceremonial clothing and a garland. Around him, monastics and devotees clap and fold their hands; brass bowls, plates of offerings and coconuts lie on the ground. A standing figure in orange with a mala stands behind, and a pedestal fan and hanging leaf decorations are visible. Several people are seated at the fire; the crowd of onlookers behind is partly visible.2013-07-22A seated man in saffron-orange robes performs a homa at a brick fire pit, holding a long metal ladle-like implement with a flame rising from it. He wears a rudraksha mala and a gold chain. Beside him, a younger man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits attentively. Offerings are laid out on the left: sliced fruits, apples, a pineapple, lemons, a silver bowl, and flower garlands. Pink flower petals are scattered over the bricks. Behind them, seated devotees in orange, yellow and white clothing watch, and a figure in white moves in the background. A brass lamp stands on the right beside a dark curtain. The scene is a photograph of a fire ritual indoors. Two people are prominent in the foreground, with more visible behind them. The a person cues include saffron robes, a rudraksha mala and gold ornaments on the seated figure performing the fire offering.2009-06-09March 10 20132013-03-10