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A photograph of a fire ritual on a stage. A long-haired figure in orange robes sits cross-legged at left with palms pressed together in namaskar, a microphone before him. Beside him a younger person in orange with a beaded necklace sits behind a brass bowl. At centre, a flame rises from a brick homa pit decorated with flowers, fruit and a kalasha with a coconut and mango leaves. Wooden sticks and offerings lie in the foreground. Behind them a painted backdrop shows a snow-capped mountain under a colourful sky, marigold garlands drape the stage, and an empty ornate golden throne stands at right. A television in the background shows a figure in orange speaking, consistent with a live broadcast of a homa ritual.

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A homa fire ceremony on a stage decorated with marigold and flower garlands. A long-haired figure in orange robes sits cross-legged at left with palms pressed together in namaste, a small ornament at the neck, while a second person in orange sits behind, holding a long ceremonial stick. In front, a fire burns on a raised altar of wooden pieces, with fruits, flowers, a brass bowl and incense sticks around it. Behind, a painted mountain backdrop sets off an ornate gold throne-like seat, and a small television screen shows a live feed of the ceremony. a person: the long-haired figure in orange with swept-back hair and ceremonial jewellery, seated in a priestly role at the homa.2010-02-12A photograph of a homa at a fire altar built from stacked orange bricks, with a flame rising at the centre and offerings of bananas, an orange, a pineapple, flowers and sticks in front. A seated figure in saffron-orange robes with long swept-back hair and a sandalwood tilak raises both hands over the fire, while a second seated person in orange clothing sits behind, and a microphone stands at left. Behind them a painted backdrop shows a snow-capped mountain under a sunset sky, with a golden throne, a small television screen and a garlanded marigold decoration. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure in front has long swept-back hair, saffron robes, gold necklaces and a tilak, and is performing the homa.2010-02-12A seated figure in flowing saffron-orange robes with long dark hair sits before a homa fire pit built of bricks, with flames rising beside a brass kalasha and bowls of fruit, flowers and sticks. Their palms are pressed together in prayer and a microphone stands at their side. Behind them a painted mountain backdrop, a small television showing a ritual scene, a golden peetha/throne, and marigold garlands swagged across the stage complete the setting. The figure has distinctive long hair and orange clothing with ornate gold necklaces, which may match the a person appearance cues, so the presentation is uncertain and the role is a presenter leading a homa.2010-02-12A photograph of a ritual inside a decorated hall. A long-haired man in orange robes with a gold-looking chain sits on the left, placing his hand on the head of a seated devotee in the foreground who is bald and in the lower frame. Beside him a second man in orange with a gold necklace and bangle holds a brass bowl and a small metal vessel. In front is a wooden platform with a mound of fruit, flowers, incense sticks and a decorated kalasha or pot with a garland. Behind them a backdrop painting shows a mountain and sunset, a flat-screen monitor displays an image, and garlands and flower swags hang along the stage. Smoke rises near the altar. Several people are visible at the edges.2010-02-12Photo of a homa fire ceremony on a stage backdrop painted with a snow-capped mountain under a sky of blue, orange and yellow. A man with long dark hair and white ash markings on his forehead wears an orange robe and holds a silver tray of flowers and food while extending his other hand over a fire pit. Behind him, a second orange-robed man sits in a similar pose. The fire rises from a brick-lined altar decorated with flowers. An ornate golden throne stands empty at the back of the stage, framed by marigold and rose garlands and yellow-and-purple festoons. A small screen and microphones are visible on the stage.2010-02-12A photograph of a homa ritual. A long-haired man in orange robes with a gold necklace leans over a brick fire pit, pouring offerings into rising smoke, while a second orange-robed priest sits beside him. A shaved-headed devotee in the foreground is seated before the altar. Offerings of fruit, flowers, coconut and a silver tray of white material sit on the platform, next to a decorated kalasha wrapped in a garland. Behind them hangs a painted mountain backdrop, a gold throne, and draped festoons of marigolds and gold cloth. The man with the swept-back long hair and gold necklace has distinctive ceremonial cues, so he is a probable Swamiji candidate officiating the homa.2010-02-12A photograph of a homa ritual. A seated figure in orange robes with long dark hair, a tilak on the forehead and a gold bead necklace holds a round gold-coloured plate toward a fire-ritual setup while speaking into a microphone. Beside him, a man in orange clothing with glasses assists, holding a small dish, and another orange-clad person sits behind. In the foreground a bald man in white clothing bends over the ritual offerings, with incense sticks and small bowls of powder nearby. Behind the altar, a painted backdrop shows a mountain and sunset sky, and a golden throne-style seat is decorated with garlands of marigold and rose petals. A decorated kalasha with flowers sits on the altar.2010-02-12A night-time ritual at an outdoor pandal with colourful striped pillars. A man with long swept-back dark hair, an orange robe and gold bead necklaces holds a long wooden stick with a flame at its tip above a fire pit or lamp, speaking into a microphone. Beside him, a second man in orange with a gold necklace sits behind a brass pot, with flowers, fruit and a white garland-decorated kalasha on a yellow platform in the foreground. Swamiji (probable): the seated man in the foreground shows long swept-back hair, an orange robe and gold beaded necklaces while presiding over the homa with a flaming stick, and is presumed to be the presiding figure of the event. Rudra Homa ritual in progress.2010-02-12A photograph of a homa ritual on a stage. A long-haired priest in orange robes sits cross-legged at a fire pit, holding a ladle over a flame in a metal vessel, with a dark-haired assistant beside them. Behind them stands a painted mountain backdrop with a gold throne with a red cushion, and a tall decorated stage with marigold and yellow garlands. In front, a shivalinga with flower garlands sits on a platform, surrounded by offerings of bananas, pineapple, oranges, bowls and a heap of sticks. A small TV monitor shows the scene and a microphone stands near. Several white-clad attendees stand at the left edge.2010-02-12A photograph of a ritual scene with a man in long swept-back dark hair seated at left, wearing an orange-saffron robe and gold-toned necklaces, holding a silver vessel and a small object while seated on a low wooden platform in front of a microphone stand. Behind him a small monitor shows a temple image. At right a deity murti or linga stands on a yellow-brown brick-like altar garlanded with white and pink flowers, with a bowl of fruit, bananas and a pineapple, and marigold garlands. A painted backdrop shows a snowy mountain and golden sky, with an empty golden throne. Dried wood sticks lie in the foreground.2010-02-12A photograph of a ritual at a decorated altar. A figure in orange robes with long, swept-back dark hair and gold ornaments on the arm sits cross-legged at the right, leaning over a tiered yellow-ochre platform holding a small kalasha with white flower garlands and marigold offerings. A shaved-headed person in white stands in the foreground, and an orange-robed attendant with a shaved head sits at the left near brass plates and incense sticks. Marigold and red-flower garlands drape the altar, and a screen shows a painted mountain backdrop behind. a person: the robed figure in orange with long swept-back hair and gold adornments, performing the homa/abhishekam offering.2010-02-12A photograph of a homa or puja at an outdoor evening event under a tent. A sitting man in saffron-orange robes with long swept-back black hair, a red forehead mark and a long beaded gold-toned necklace holds a brass plate and speaks into a microphone. Beside him, a second man in orange robes with long hair and a similar beaded necklace sits behind a low yellow platform. The platform holds banana fruit, orange, scattered flower petals, a small flame, a silver vessel and a decorated kalasha with white and pink garlands. Colourful painted pillars and draped cloth frame the background.2010-02-12