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A night-time homa ritual in an open outdoor courtyard under a strip of green leaf-and-flower decoration. A square fire pit glows at centre, with flames rising from it. Several men in white dhotis and white upper cloths, with gold or beaded garlands, sit cross-legged around the pit and feed offerings into it from brass vessels and bowls. A bald priest in the middle, wearing white and garlands, sits on a raised carved wooden seat. On the right, a shrine-like altar holds brass oil lamps with flames, red flower garlands, fruit, and a decorated deity murti draped in green fabric. Behind the group, more people in white sit on mats, and a figure in white walks past. Coloured cloth panels hang on poles at the back.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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 copiesNight 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.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 copiesNight-time homa or yagna at an open-air outdoor setting strung with leafy garlands and colourful cloth banners. Several men in plain white dhoti-style cloth with rudraksha-style beaded necklaces sit on mats around a raised fire pit, and one man in the foreground holds a ladle over the pit while another pours from a vessel. Brass oil lamp, brass bowls and a brass kalasha-like vessel stand near a seated figure draped in a green and gold silk cloth with yellow and orange marigold garlands. A man with shaved head and plain white cloth and a wooden-armed seat is at the right. Smoke rises in the lamplight.2010-10-15A 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 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 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 copiesA photograph of a homa ritual at night around a square fire pit of brick-like lining with a lit flame inside. Several shaven-headed priests sit cross-legged in white dhotis and white upper cloths with red borders, wearing gold necklaces. The priest in the foreground at left holds a large ladle over the fire, while others around the pit tend offering bowls of ghee, grains and flowers. Brass oil lamps, garlands of marigold and white flowers, and plates of offerings are arranged in front. Behind them a large ornate red and gold chair holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange robes with a garland; the portrait is a printed picture, not a live person.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA homa fire ritual in progress at a square brick fire pit, with a flame rising from the centre. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit around the pit, wearing gold-toned and beaded necklaces. One priest in the foreground holds a long wooden ladle over the fire, while others behind tend offering bowls, brass vessels, oil lamps, yellow marigold petals and grains. Behind them stands a deity murti draped in red and white garlands. In the upper right, a framed portrait shows a long-haired figure in saffron clothing with rudraksha beads, seated on a gold and red throne; this is a printed portrait, not a physical person. The scene is lit warmly by lamps and string lights.2010-10-16 +1 copies