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A night fire ritual (homa) in a temple hall. A priest in a red-bordered white dhoti sits on a wooden seat at a square fire pit filled with glowing embers, pouring an offering from a long ladle. Around the pit, several young men in white dhotis and cream shawls wearing yellow-beaded necklaces sit cross-legged, some holding offering dishes and ritual vessels. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha stand near the pit, with fresh marigold and red flower garlands draped on the left. In the upper right, a framed portrait shows a figure in saffron/orange robes with a gold necklace seated on a red and gold throne; it is a printed picture, not a person present. A shaved-headed priest's role is visible but the portrait's appearance cues are limited.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ritual at night in an ashram setting. A central square fire pit lined with brick holds a small flame, with brass bowls of ghee or oil, flowers and offerings around it. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border sits at the left, holding a long ladle-like stick toward the pit. Several young shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and gold necklaces sit around the pit. Behind them a portrait in a gold frame shows a saffron-robed figure with long hair and a gold necklace seated on a red throne, and a garland of red and white flowers hangs nearby. Brass lamps and a kalasha are visible at the left.2010-10-16 +1 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 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting, with a square brick fire pit filled with glowing embers at the centre. Shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and white shawls, several wearing gold necklaces and rudraksha-style beaded malas, sit around the pit making offerings. One priest on the left, bare-chested and seated on a wooden stool, holds a long ladle over the fire; another in front pours from a brass vessel of liquid. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands in red and white, and plates of offerings sit on the floor. In the background a framed photograph shows a smiling woman in orange robes seated on a red and gold throne, and colourful fairy lights hang behind the stalls.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies