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A homa ritual at night in an ashram hall. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and shirt kneels and bows his head toward a square fire pit lined with grey stone, with flower petals scattered around it. Two women in red and maroon saris sit beside him, one holding a pink flower; a woman in a dark outfit and glasses sits at left. Behind them a man in a saffron-coloured turban and white clothes with rudraksha beads sits on a red and gold throne, with a red cushion. Several men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas stand in the background. At left, brass oil lamps with lit flames and a red and white flower garland decorate a deity murti with a wide red and purple garland. Brass plates and a vessel stand near the pit, with a priest in white pouring from a bowl at right.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time photograph of a homa at a temple-style hall hung with red fairy lights. A square brick fire pit in the foreground has a bright flame, surrounded by scattered flower petals and brass vessels of offerings. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha mala feeds the fire from a silver plate, while a second priest in white bends over the pit. Behind them, women in red and maroon saris sit on the floor, one holding a brass vessel. An ornate red and gold throne stands at the right, with a man in white kneeling beside it. On the far right, a priest in saffron robes and a white turban with a gold chain stands near a painted pillar, and an elderly sannyasi with white-painted markings sits in a cushioned chair. Left of the pit are brass oil lamps, a large decorated deity murti with garlands, and a standing figure of a goddess on the left edge. Several standing men in white clothing watch from the back.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a homa ritual at a square black fire pit lined with flower petals. A seated man in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a rudraksha mala leans to tend the fire with twigs while another man in white kneels beside the pit holding a bowl and spoon of liquid. Three women in red and maroon saris sit on the left beside brass oil lamps, with a garlanded deity murti in the background. Several men in white clothes and mala necklaces stand in the background near the throne, and a standing fan and string of lights are visible.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a temple hall with smoke rising. A figure in white dhoti and white shawl with a yellow-orange turban and gold necklaces sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne-like seat at the upper right. In front, a man lies prostrate on a white cloth near a black square fire pit with flames, while a man in white with a rudraksha mala holds a straw broom-like brush toward the flames. Women in red and orange saris sit on the floor at left, one holding a brass lamp. Several people in white and red stand behind. A deity murti decorated with a purple-and-white garland sits at far left beside brass oil lamps, and flower petals are scattered on the floor.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual scene in an ashram courtyard lit by strings of red fairy lights. On the left, two large painted deity murtis, one with a tall crown and blue skin, another in pink-and-purple garlands, stand beside a golden-yellow umbrella canopy. In the centre, a woman in a red sari and a woman in green and red sit on the floor before brass oil lamps, flower-strewn offerings and a kalasha-like setup, while a bare-chested man in a red shawl bends forward offering a pink flower. A man in white dhoti with a rudraksha-style necklace stands holding a microphone and a tray of fruit. On the right, a man in a white dhoti and a saffron-coloured head wrap sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne, with a bare-chested attendant in a white cloth seated beside it. A standing man in white clothing watches at the back. Visible people: about seven.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa (fire ritual) at an indoor temple hall. In the centre, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace and dark-rimmed glasses holds a bundle of burning sticks over a square fire pit, while a silver bowl of oil and a silver tray of grains sit at his side. Behind the fire pit, a prostrate man in white lies face-down on the floor. To the left, three women in red and orange saris sit with flower garlands, and a brass oil lamp burns nearby. In the background, a figure in a white garment with a saffron-toned turban and long hair sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne, gesturing with an outstretched arm, flanked by standing men in white with rudraksha-style necklaces. Flowers and petals cover the floor.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ceremony in a temple hall decorated with string lights and a painted deity backdrop. A square fire pit with glowing flames is the central focus, surrounded by flower petals, brass pots and small oil lamps. A young priest in a bare chest and orange cloth with rudraksha mala sits at the pit, holding a ladle over a brass bowl. Another priest in white dhoti with a red-striped shawl and gold necklace holds a tray of offerings. Behind them, a man in white robes and a crown-like headwear sits on a red and gold throne, with a second man in saffron clothes to the right. Several women in red and orange saris sit to the left near a red-garlanded deity figure. Other white-clad devotees stand in the background.2010-10-16A photograph of a night homa at a fire pit lined with flowers. A man in white ritual clothes and a gold-coloured turban sits on a red and gold throne at the upper right, smiling, with a saffron-orange and gold-bead necklace and gold bracelet; his position and garments are the cues for a person candidate. A priest in white with a rudraksha mala holds a burning ember into the fire at right. A devotee in white prostrates before the pit. Three women in red and orange saris sit at left beside a flower-garlanded deity murti and brass oil lamps. Standing behind them are a man in white and another in white with a mala. Marigold petals cover the ground and a brass bowl of offerings sits at lower right. Dim red-lit background.2010-10-16