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A photograph of a homa fire ritual in an ashram hall. A fire burns in a square brick fire pit at the lower right, with a man in white dhoti and shawl and a rudraksha mala holding a wooden ladle over it, while a silver bowl of liquid sits nearby. Seated on a red throne with gold trim is a figure in a cream-white cloth wrap, a yellow-orange turban and layered gold necklaces who appears to be a person, with a hand raised in blessing. Women in red and maroon saris sit on the floor near a brass oil lamp and a garland of red and white flowers draped over a deity murti at the left. A man in white stands behind them, and a person lies prostrate on the floor by the pit.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 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.2010-10-16Night 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 night-time homa at a square fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flower petals, with a bright orange fire burning inside. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold necklace pours an offering from a brass bowl into the fire, while another priest in white with a red-striped cloth kneels at right holding a silver plate of offerings. Seated on a gold-framed red throne at the back, a figure in white robes with a white turban and beads observes, and a man in orange robes sits in a cream armchair at right. Women in red and maroon saris sit at left beside a decorated deity murti garlanded with white and red flowers, and brass oil lamps and kalasha vessels surround the fire pit under strings of red lights.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an open ashram stage. A large fire blazes in a black square fire pit with white stepped edges, scattered with marigold petals, small oil lamps, brass vessels and a copper dish. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a white-and-maroon border sits at the front, holding an offering over the flames. Behind him, a figure in an orange robe and white turban sits on a gold-framed red throne, and another figure in orange-saffron robes sits nearby. Several devotees in white and red clothes sit to the left, and a deity murti with garlands and a flower-decorated altar stands at the left edge. Red string lights and festive banners hang in the background.2010-10-16Evening outdoor homa at a ritual fire pit built of layered yellow-cream blocks decorated with red flower petals; a bright flame burns in the central square pit. A seated man in a red-orange garment with a white flower garland and hands pressed in añjali sits on a gold-trimmed throne-like chair behind the fire. In front, a man in white dhoti prostrates on the green mat near the fire. Devotees in white and saffron-orange clothes sit in rows along the green ground, with brass plates, oil lamps, a kalasha-style brass vessel and a standing gold ceremonial pole nearby. A fan and a few white-clad participants stand in the background.2016-07-03Night-time homa at a fire pit on a white-tiled platform strewn with flower petals. A shaven-headed priest in a white dhoti and cloth with a maroon-and-white border pours or tends a flame from a brass vessel, with a copper plate of offerings beside him. Brass lamps, a kalasha-style pot, and small brass bowls with flowers sit at the platform edge. Behind, a figure in white robes and a shawl sits on a red-and-gold throne-like seat, with a seated attendant beside him; several white-clad and saffron-clad people sit or stand in the background. Women in red saris sit to the left near a decorated deity murti with garlands, and red string lights hang in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual at a fire pit (homa/yagna) in an open-air ashram courtyard. A large square fire pit lined with wood sits at left, with smoke and embers visible. Seated on an orange cushioned throne at the back, a figure in a deep red-maroon robe wears a long white flower garland, with hands folded. Nearby, a man in white dhoti and a green-and-white upper cloth sits with palms joined, wearing a rudraksha mala. A woman in white garment with a bright pink head wrap and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged on a orange mat, hands folded, facing the fire. To the right, a standing man in saffron-orange and red clothes holds his hands in anjali, while another standing figure in white dhoti and a rudraksha mala also holds palms together. Rows of seated saffron-robed monastics and devotees fill the background. Women in red and gold saris with jasmine garlands kneel in the foreground, hands folded. Brass pots, kalasha-style vessels and flower offerings surround the fire pit.2014-10-03Night photograph of a ritual at an outdoor ashram setting lit by string lights. On the left, large painted deity murtis, one with a blue body and yellow garland, stand beside a decorated canopy. A standing man in white dhoti and a maroon-bordered shawl holds a microphone and a tray of fruit. Several women in red, green and maroon saris kneel on a flower-strewn floor before brass oil lamps with lit flames, one woman holding a silver plate. Behind them, a man in a white dhoti and white top with a saffron-and-gold turban sits on a red and gold throne with rudraksha-style beads at his neck. A fire pit with a lit flame sits in the lower right, where a man in white kneels, and a kalasha-style brass vessel and marigold garlands are visible.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies