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Night-time ritual in an outdoor ashram hall lit by strings of red and white lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds a flaming lamp or fire vessel before a homa or puja platform, while another priest sits in white near a raised dark altar. Seated rows of devotees in white and orange clothing fill the foreground, with brass plates heaped with red flower petals and offerings. A decorated deity murti, possibly Ganesha with orange and pink ornaments, stands at the right. Green leaf garlands and trident-shaped hangings hang overhead.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ceremony under a corrugated roof decorated with hanging striped cloth tassels, orange triangular pennants and a green leaf garland. A standing priest in a white dhoti and orange-striped shawl holds a lit flame and waves it toward a seated group. A red throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a woman. Seated priests in white and orange wraps sit on a raised platform beside brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, brass plates and offerings, while a large seated crowd in white watches. This appears to be a homa or aarti ceremony.2010-10-16 +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 night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space lit by lamps, with a raised square fire pit of white-tiled steps where a bright flame burns and flower petals lie scattered. In the foreground, a bare-shouldered priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace faces the fire from behind. Standing near the pit, a woman in white sari with a yellow-orange head wrap and beaded necklaces raises her hand over the fire, while a man in white robes kneels beside a carved wooden stool. Behind them, a row of seated devotees in white and orange clothing fills the mat-covered ground, with garlanded green leaf torans overhead and a decorated seat with red and green fabric and brass lamps on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual homa at an ashram. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a shaved head holds a flaming lamp aloft in the right hand, while a seated priest in white with a rudraksha-style necklace performs offerings at a raised platform. Long curved decorated arches hang overhead with tassels, and a string-lit shrine-like structure glows on the right. Rows of seated devotees in red, orange and white clothing face the fire, many with palms pressed together. Large brass trays hold red chillies and offerings beside the platform.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual in an open-sided pavilion with a corrugated metal roof, lit by a bright overhead lamp. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds up a lit flame in a lamp and smoke rises from it. Seated participants in white clothes sit on the floor around a raised platform with a small fire area, brass oil lamps, bowls of offerings, a bell and a kalasha-type vessel. Behind them a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a seated figure, with a bald-headed seated man in orange-ornamented dress beside it. Hanging colourful tassel decorations, orange triangular pennants and green leaf garlands decorate the ceiling, and a decorated deity murti stands at the back right on a tiered base. Several seated people in white and a few in red saris are visible in the crowd.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a open-sided canopy decorated with green leaf garlands, orange pennants and hanging colourful tassels. At the centre a square fire pit blazes beside a large round clay vessel, with a priest in white dhoti and turban raising a flaming lamp. Beside him stand several priests in white dhotis and shawls with palms joined, and a figure kneels at the front of the pit. Seated devotees in orange and white clothes fill the left foreground. On the right, a decorated table holds fruit, sweets and brass lamps before a large ganesha murti with a lit lighting frame behind it.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an outdoor ashram courtyard lit by strings of fairy lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, wearing gold-bead necklaces, stirs a brick fire pit with a long ladle while several seated priests in white clothes and beads chant with folded hands around it. A photographer with a camera stands in the background. On the right, a large pink Ganesha murti stands beside brass oil lamps with lit flames, bowls of fruit, and red and white garlands. Marigold petals are scattered around the pit. The scene shows a yagna being performed, with offerings and a deity murti in the setting.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night ritual under an open-sided pavilion hung with green leaf garlands, orange triangular flags and tasselled decorations. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right holding a lit flame in a metal vessel toward the seated group. Several seated priests in white with rudraksha malas chant with folded hands, and a bearded man in white sits at lower right. Before them, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a figure. Brass oil lamps burn on the steps, and a flowered vessel and offerings lie nearby. Statues and illuminated figures stand in the background, consistent with a Chandi Homa fire ritual.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies