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A photograph of a homa fire ritual outdoors with a smoking rectangular fire pit at the centre, surrounded by seven or eight men in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and some with bare upper bodies. A priest on the left, seated, holds a long ladle over the fire pit, while others sit around the pit tending offerings, marigold petals, brass vessels, oil lamps and bowls of grain and flowers. Behind them stands a row of decorated deity figures draped in garlands, and in the upper right a framed portrait of a figure in orange robes sits on a red and gold throne-like chair. A banner in the background is printed with Kannada-style text. The portrait is a printed image, not a physical person.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Outdoor homa ritual at an ashram courtyard. A square fire pit of white marble sits in the centre, smoking, with marigold petals and offerings around its edges, including brass bowls, a plate of red offering, small lamps and flowers. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit cross-legged around it, many wearing gold-beaded necklaces. One priest in the foreground left holds a ladle over the fire, and another reads from an open book. Behind them stand carved and painted deity murtis with garlands and an orange-and-white striped backdrop. A large red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure wearing a long mala, with a brass lamp beside it. A wooden drum-like stand is at the left edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA homa ritual in an outdoor courtyard. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls sit cross-legged around a long low fire pit filled with smoke, offering items into it. The lead priest on the left has bare shoulders and reaches toward the fire. Two priests in the centre wear gold necklaces and rudraksha malas. Behind them stands an empty red and gold throne with a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure on its back. To the left, deity murtis with flower garlands and a brass kalasha stand before a red and white striped wall. Brass lamps, silver bowls of flowers and plates of offerings sit on the altar, and a small crowd of people is partly visible at the bottom edge.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA homa ritual is performed outdoors in front of a deity murti display and a rectangular fire pit. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit cross-legged around the pit, one bare-chested priest in the foreground feeding offerings into the smoke. Gold necklaces and gold armbands adorn some priests, and oil lamps, brass vessels, flower petals and bowls of offerings surround the pit. Behind them a framed portrait labelled Paramahamsa Nithyananda rests on a red and gold throne, showing a figure in orange robes with a mala, and a red and white striped pillar stands nearby. Seven or eight physical people are visible.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting, with a square brick fire pit filled with glowing embers at the centre. Shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and rudraksha-style beaded malas, sit around the pit making offerings. One priest on the left, bare-chested and seated on a wooden stool, holds a long ladle over the fire; another in front pours from a brass vessel of liquid. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands in red and white, and plates of offerings sit on the floor. In the background a framed photograph shows a smiling woman in orange robes seated on a red and gold throne, and colourful fairy lights hang behind the stalls.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA homa fire ritual is performed at night in an open ashram courtyard. A square fire pit lined with bright glowing embers sits centrally, with brass vessels, a ladle, and yellow and orange flower petals arranged around its edges. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and shawls with red borders, wearing gold necklaces, sit cross-legged around the pit; one in the foreground holds a long ladle pouring an offering, while others tend trays and bowls. Behind them, a deity murti is adorned with red and white flower garlands, and a framed portrait of a figure in saffron robes and a rudraksha mala sits on a red and gold throne-like chair with a gold-trimmed back. Strings of colourful lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15A homa ritual at night in a temple setting. A priest in white dhoti with a reddish border, seated at the left, pours an offering from a ladle into a square fire pit lined with yellow-orange brick, where a flame burns. Around the pit, several shaved-headed men in white cloth wear beaded necklaces; one holds a small bowl. Brass vessels of liquid, marigold and rose petals, and a brass lamp sit on the stone platform. Behind them, red and white flower garlands hang over a red and gold seat, and a framed portrait on the throne shows a figure in saffron robes and a mala seated in a meditative pose. The camera caption and page indicate a Chandi Homa event. Visible people: about six.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor ashram courtyard. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls, many bare-chested with gold necklaces and beaded malas, sit cross-legged around a square fire pit with smoke rising from it. One priest in the foreground with a shaved head and white body markings holds offerings. Brass vessels, a small oil lamp, marigold petals and a red and gold cloth surround the pit. Behind them, seated devotees and a few visitors watch. A framed portrait of a woman in orange sits on a red and gold throne-like chair at the left, and stone sculptures and colourful pillars stand in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copies