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Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and a gold bead necklace holds a lit lamp over a square black fire pit edged with white and scattered flowers. Another priest in white with gold beads sits cross-legged beside a brass bell and offerings. A man in white with a yellow shawl photographs the scene with a camera, and bright red and yellow lights decorate a building behind. Brass lamps, a carved wooden seat and fruit trays surround the ritual area, with devotees seated in front.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a fire ritual (homa) in an outdoor courtyard. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and gold beaded necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a lit oil lamp with flames in his right hand. Seated priests around the pit wear white with red-bordered cloth and gold necklaces; one holds a brass bell, another a silver plate with a green cloth. Brass vessels, flower petals on the pit's edge, a carved wooden seat, and string lights and a painted pillar sit in the background. A cameraman in white with a yellow shawl films the scene.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard lit with multicoloured string lights. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with a maroon border and a gold bead necklace stands at a square fire pit, holding a lit oil lamp flame in both hands. A seated priest in similar white clothes and gold necklace sits on a purple cloth beside brass lamps, fruit and flower offerings. Other seated priests in white, one holding a silver tray with a green cloth, and a man in white with a camera photograph the scene. Flower petals are scattered around the pit edge and a carved wooden chair stands behind it.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night photo of a Vedic fire ritual at a homa pit, a square sunken fire pit edged with white steps and scattered flowers. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red-bordered shawl and gold beaded necklace stands at the pit holding a burning lamp or torch. Seated priests in white with gold necklaces surround the pit; one holds a silver tray with a green cloth, another sits near brass lamps and fruit. A man with a camera stands in the background, and strings of red and yellow lights decorate the backdrop. Brass lamps and offering bowls sit on the ground.2010-10-16Night photo of a homa fire ritual at a square fire pit (kunda) with white marble edging scattered with flower petals. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and a gold bead necklace stands holding a lit oil lamp or flame over the pit. Seated priests in white garments and gold necklaces attend nearby, one holding a silver tray with green cloth, one with white ash markings on the arm and a bell, and bowls of offerings, brass lamps and fruit are arranged on the mat. A man in white with a yellow shawl photographs the scene. Strings of colourful lights decorate a building behind, and a red and white banner stands at right.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph, the image rotated sideways. A man in white dhoti and white upper cloth with a gold-beaded necklace holds two lit oil lamps aloft in both hands, flames rising, while his other hand is open toward a carved wooden seat with a wheel-like motif. Beside him, a second man in white with a gold chain and a green-wrapped object stands at a decorated altar draped in white and bordered with flowers, with brass vessels and a bell. Several more people in white clothes stand in the background, and a line of small red lamps glows on a stepped platform at right. Overall it reads as a lamp-waving aarti at an evening puja.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual photograph. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with red-bordered edges, wearing a beaded necklace, stands centre holding a lit flame in a brass vessel while waving it before him. Around him, seated devotees in white clothing with palms pressed together face the scene; one has a shaved head and tilak markings, another wears a gold necklace. In front, brass lamps, bowls of offerings, marigold garlands and a green and purple cloth sit on a low platform. Palm fronds, bamboo-hung leaf garlands and a decorated banner hang overhead, with circular metal hoops above. The scene suggests an aarti or homa-style puja.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of an outdoor homa ritual on a raised stone platform decorated with flower petals. A central figure in white dhoti with red border and a gold necklace sits cross-legged with hands covering his face. Around him, several shaven-headed priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, some wearing gold chains and rudraksha malas, sit or stand; in the foreground two priests sit with their backs to the camera. A tall palm frond stands beside the platform, a large ring hangs overhead, and a painted cylindrical banner with red and blue patterns stands to the left. Strings of red lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15