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A 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA homa fire ritual at night. A square brick fire pit blazes at the centre, with tall flames rising from it. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit cross-legged around the pit, one holding a ladle and one offering into the fire. A bowl of ghee sits on the pit's edge beside silver trays of flowers, nuts and offerings. On the left, a deity murti is adorned with red and white flower garlands, and brass oil lamps stand nearby. Hands of devotees reach in from the frame edges.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesAugust 29 20142014-08-29October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time Ganapati homa at an outdoor ashram setting. A golden-yellow square fire pit holds a flaming fire, with smoke rising. Several priests sit around it in saffron/orange robes and white dhotis, with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings; the priest at right wears a red and gold turban and white garment with gold border and offers something into the fire. Silver and brass vessels, a small pot with yellow flowers, and bowls of grain sit at the edges. Behind them a seated audience in white and red-sashed clothing fills the background, with a microphone stand visible at left. A partial garland hangs in the background.2014-10-11