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A night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting with a visible fire pit in the foreground. A man in a white dhoti and white shawl with a saffron-coloured turban stands with hands folded in namaskar beside the flames, wearing a rudraksha-style bead necklace. Behind him, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with an orange bead necklace holds a brass bowl. Another priest in white stands at right with folded hands, and a seated priest beside a carved wooden peetha holds offerings. Seated children and adults in white and orange clothing sit on the ground in front of the fire, some with brass plates. A green mango-leaf garland hangs overhead between two painted pillars, with a large orange ring structure above. Brass oil lamps and flower arrangements sit on a purple cloth at lower right.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at a homa or puja site. A man in plain white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban stands at centre with palms pressed together in namaskar. Beside him, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with striped maroon border holds a silver bowl. Another bare-chested priest in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right with palms folded, and a seated priest in white with a mala sits near a carved wooden peetha. Brass vessels and a plate sit on a cloth before them. Behind, rows of seated children and adults in white and yellow clothes watch. Mango-leaf garland hangs overhead, and two large ring-shaped wooden structures with a saffron cloth hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram puja space lit by oil lamps. A man in the centre wears a cream-coloured turban and white dhoti and shawl, with a multi-strand necklace of beads and gold, standing with palms pressed together in prayer before a carved wooden throne-like seat with a round carved backrest. Around him, several shaven-headed men in white dhotis and beaded necklaces stand or kneel with hands folded; one holds a silver bowl. Brass plates with flowers and offerings sit on white cloth at the front, and a purple cloth covers a table at right. A garland of green leaves hangs overhead, with a decorated pillar and circular wooden hoops above. Children in white and yellow clothing sit at left, and a row of seated devotees in white fills the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual at an open-air ceremonial area. In the foreground a fire pit burns beside a carved wooden or stone yoni-style base and brass plates. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban holds a flaming lamp and a bell, while a shaved-headed priest in white with a red-bordered cloth and rudraksha mala holds a brass bowl. Behind them, shaved-headed priests in white clothes stand with palms pressed together, and a row of young boys in white with red scarves sits on the left. Green leaf garlands and a decorated pillar with colourful patterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual in an open courtyard. A square brick fire pit with a lit flame sits on a white-cloth platform strewn with flower petals. A man in a white dhoti with a yellow-orange head wrap stands at the pit pouring an offering, while a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red borders and a gold-bead garland holds a brass plate. Another attendant in white with a garland stands at right beside a carved wooden stand, and ceremonial lamps and brass vessels sit at the front. Seated devotees in white and colourful clothing watch from the left under a leafy garland-decorated canopy, with a large red flower garland visible at lower right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual at a homa site lit by a bright flame in a stone-lined pit in the foreground. A standing man in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds a silver tray with a red cloth on it, while beside him a man in a cream turban and white dhoti with beaded necklaces stands with hands folded. A large carved wooden disc stands on the right, and a priest in white kneels near it. Several seated children and adults in white and orange garments sit on white cloth behind the fire. Strings of green leaves and a painted wooden pillar with blue and orange motifs decorate the scene, with brass plates and vessels around the fire.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa at an ashram. A square stone fire pit with a large blazing flame sits in the foreground, with petals scattered around it and a brass lamp and offering trays on a purple cloth at the right. A man in white ritual dress with a white head wrap and garlands holds up a burning vessel above the fire. Beside him a priest in white dhoti and shawl with a garland stands with hands folded, and another white-clad man stands at right. A woman in a white sari on the left side of the fire pit faces the flames. Seated devotees in white and orange-toned clothing fill the background, and hanging yellow leaf garlands and round hanging lanterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space lit by lamps, with a raised square fire pit of white-tiled steps where a bright flame burns and flower petals lie scattered. In the foreground, a bare-shouldered priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace faces the fire from behind. Standing near the pit, a woman in white sari with a yellow-orange head wrap and beaded necklaces raises her hand over the fire, while a man in white robes kneels beside a carved wooden stool. Behind them, a row of seated devotees in white and orange clothing fills the mat-covered ground, with garlanded green leaf torans overhead and a decorated seat with red and green fabric and brass lamps on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa at a fire pit on a white-tiered stone platform decorated with flower petals, with tall flames rising from the central pit. A figure in white dhoti and a white head wrap with a gold-beaded mala stands beside the fire, one hand raised toward it. A second figure in white with a mala stands at the pit's edge, and another attendant in white kneels nearby. A carved wooden throne-style seat stands behind the fire, with a purple-draped altar holding brass lamps, a tray and a green-and-red sari-clad figure at right. Rows of seated devotees in white, saffron and orange clothing watch from the left, and draped leaf garlands and colourful pillars frame the scene. The swami-presence check is in the in_person field.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna site. A priest in white dhoti and a pale peach turban holds up a lit camphor flame on a brass aarti lamp, with smoke rising around him. Beside him, another priest in white bends over a fire pit with a large round wooden drum-like object and brass vessels. A third man in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right. A row of mango leaves is strung across the top. Seated devotees in white, some in yellow and orange, sit on white cloth at left, including several children. Brass plates, bells and offerings sit on the mat.2010-10-16