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A night-time homa ritual at an open-air ashram site, with a fire pit lit in the foreground. A central figure in a white dhoti and a white head wrap, with a rudraksha-style necklace and bangles, stands at the fire pit with hands joined. Beside him a shaved-headed priest in a white dhoti and a red-bordered cloth holds a metal bowl and wears beaded necklaces. Several other priests in white cloths stand with hands in anjali, and a carved wooden peetha or throne stands near the fire. Seated devotees on white cloth, many in orange and red saris and white kurtas, including small children in red and orange outfits, face the fire with hands joined. Brass lamps, flowers and offerings rest on a purple-draped table at right. Green leaf garlands, colourful striped pillars and a ring-shaped decoration hang above.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time homa at an open-air ashram altar. A fire pit lit with flames sits in front of an ornate carved wooden peetha/throne. A man in white dhoti and bare chest, with a gold necklace, stands at right tending the fire over the pit, while a shaved-headed priest in white crouches beside. At left, a man in white dhoti with a rudraksha-style gold necklace holds a silver tray of red offerings. Beside him, a person in a white cream turban, white dhoti and a gold necklace stands at the center. Seated devotees in white and orange clothing line the ground, and brass oil lamps and kalasha vessels surround the altar. Mango leaf garlands hang overhead, with ring-shaped decorations on a pole and a red-roofed building behind.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual fire ceremony under a pavilion strung with leaf garlands and hanging colourful cloth decorations. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti and shawl, with a saffron-coloured turban and a beaded necklace, stands beside a fire pit with a visible flame, next to a raised stepped platform decorated with flowers. Several priests in white dhotis stand behind, some holding brass vessels and joining palms in prayer. On the left, a bearded man with a saffron turban, white body markings and a long mala sits with hands joined in anjali. Seated devotees, many in white and saffron, fill the foreground. Brass lamps and offering plates lie on a mat at right, and a wooden decorated seat is visible near the fire.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 fire ritual at a homa pit. A fire burns in a square stone yagna kund with flowers scattered on its rim. A tall figure in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a saffron turban and multiple beaded malas, stands with raised hands beside the fire. Beside him a bare-headed priest in white and gold-beaded necklace stands near the pit. A man in white kneels at right beside a large carved wooden peetha-like piece, and a man in white attends at right edge. Seated devotees in white and orange clothing, including children, sit in rows at left. Brass lamps and offering vessels sit at the pit's edge; a lit oil lamp rests at lower right. Green leaf torana and painted pillars frame the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting. A fire burns in a rectangular brick fire pit with white-painted edges and flower petals scattered on the steps. Behind it stands a carved reddish stone yantra-style object. Three men in white dhotis, bare-chested and wearing rudraksha malas, stand together holding brass plates of offerings; the central man wears a saffron-yellow turban. A man in the foreground at left sits cross-legged, wearing a white cloth and a beaded necklace, with a red tilak. Behind them a seated audience in white and orange clothes watches, and brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels and a red-and-gold draped offering stand at the right. Leafy garlands hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16