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Night photograph of a homa fire ritual at an ashram courtyard. A square brick fire pit glows orange, with smoke rising from it. Around it sit many men in white dhotis and shawls with bare upper bodies, wearing gold-and-bead malas. In the foreground a bald priest in white holds a ladle or pours offerings near the fire, while another seated priest nearby holds a plate. On the right, brass oil lamps with lit flames stand beside red and white flower garlands and a plate of offerings, and an open book rests on the cloth. Trays of food, flower petals and banana leaves lie on the ground. Red and purple striped ceremonial banners hang on poles in the background, with more people seated in the dim distance.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ritual at night in an open courtyard. A square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the centre, bordered with white and red flower petals. Several men in white dhotis and white upper cloths, many wearing gold-coloured necklaces, sit around the pit. A bald man in the centre-right pours offerings into the fire while a man in white beside him tends the blaze. At the right, a seated priest in white with a red and gold garland and a brass oil lamp is near the fire. Two bare-shouldered men in the foreground face the fire from behind. Smoke and motion blur fill the frame; pillars with orange and white cloth hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ceremony in an open courtyard. A square brick fire pit with a lit flame sits in the centre, surrounded by flower petals. Around it sit several bare-chested priests in white dhotis and gold-bead garlands, one holding a ladle and offerings. On the right, a bald priest in white with a gold necklace tends brass oil lamps and a plate of offerings near a red-draped seat. Bowls of grains, fruit and dried items lie in front. Two standing figures and seated men are visible in the background. The scene shows a fire ritual with lamps, offerings and a tended fire pit.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time photograph of a homa being performed at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame. Several priests sit around it in white dhoti and shawls, many wearing gold-toned beaded necklaces. One priest in the centre-right bends forward to pour offerings into the fire, while others hold brass plates of grains, herbs and chopped vegetables. Marigold and red flower petals are scattered on the stone platform. To the right stand brass lamps, a kalasha, red and white floral garlands, bowls of kumkum and a large decorated deity murti behind colourful drapery.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an outdoor ashram site: a square stone fire pit glows with flames at the centre while several bald priests in white dhotis and unstitched white shawls sit around it. Several men wear gold necklaces and rudraksha-style beads; some are feeding offerings into the fire by hand, while another holds a metal bowl of chopped vegetables and another passes a tray of yellow flower garlands. Brass lamps, kalasha pots, fruit, marigold and red flower garlands are arranged on a cloth beside them, and a deity murti stands draped in green and red fabric and garlands on the right. Marigold petals are scattered on the stone.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa fire ritual at night outdoors. A square fire pit glows at the centre, set on a white marble-like platform decorated with scattered red and pink flower petals. Around it sit about seven men in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and bead malas, many with shaved heads; they hold brass plates of offerings such as chopped vegetables, grains and wood pieces, and feed the fire. Behind them, large colourful deity murtis with flower garlands, brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels, fruit, and bowls of kumkum and vibhuti are arranged on a red and gold cloth. Strings of lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual. A large blazing fire burns in a stepped white stone fire pit decorated with red and yellow flower petals. Several men in white dhotis sit around the pit; one at right, with shaved head and gold necklaces, presses his palms together in prayer. A standing priest in a white dhoti and sacred thread stands at the back. Brass plates hold offerings, a brass kalasha-style pot, oil lamps burn on the right beside a tray of fruit and flowers, and a decorated altar with red and green draperies is visible. Several people are seen from behind in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa in progress at a ceremonial fire pit. A tall flame rises from a square stone fire pit with flower petals scattered on its edges. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a long stalk above the fire. Seated around the pit, several men in white ritual clothes and gold beaded necklaces sit cross-legged; one at right has palms pressed together in prayer. Brass bowls and plates of offerings sit at the front, and a table at right holds fruit, marigold garlands, brass oil lamps and a small deity murti decorated with red flowers. Strings of lights and a pink-painted figure appear in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa fire ceremony outdoors under a canopy of banana leaves and strings of flags. A square fire pit with flames and smoke sits in the centre. Several priests with shaved heads wear white dhotis and gold necklaces, seated on the ground and pouring offerings into the fire, one holding a bowl of grain. A bald priest in white with a gold necklace sits behind the fire pit before an ornate wooden chair, with oil lamps, flower garlands and a small brass vessel on the altar table. Decorative tall cloth banners flank the scene, with more seated figures in the background.2010-10-16 +4 copies