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A night-time outdoor homa in an ashram courtyard. A square brick fire pit with a glowing fire sits in the centre. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls, with bead necklaces, sit around it, some tending the fire and passing offerings. A bald priest on the right wears gold ornaments and holds a bowl, and another seated figure plays a small instrument. Behind them stand a silver ceremonial chair and a table of fruit, brass lamps and flowers. Banana leaves and string lights are strung overhead, and a few more white-clad people are visible in the background. Oil lamps and offerings like grains and red chillies are placed near the pit.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +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 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 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 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of an outdoor homa fire ceremony under a canopy strung with green leaves, orange flags and decorative hanging tassels. A square stone fire pit with flames stands in the centre, surrounded by petals. A priest in white dhoti and an orange turban pours offerings near the fire, while a man in white with a rudraksha-style garland holds a tray. Another priest in white kneels on a mat at left with hands folded over a brass plate. To the right a table holds brass oil lamps, fruit, sweets and offering plates; a decorated elephant-headed deity murti with a garland and a second murti stand beside it, lit by colourful string lights. Seated devotees in white and orange fill the left side of the audience area.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA square homa fire pit lined with sand or ash sits in the centre, with a flame glowing inside its basin. Around it, priests in white dhotis and white shoulder cloths sit on the floor; several wear gold-bead necklaces, and one holds a wooden ladle over a brass bowl of ghee. Brass bowls hold yellow marigold petals, cashews and other offerings. On the left stands a deity murti draped in a large red garland of flowers, with a white garland and brass oil lamps lit beside it. A framed portrait in saffron robes hangs in the upper right corner, and the background is decorated with a silver or gold textile. The scene is a homa ritual being performed.2010-10-16 +1 copies