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A photograph of a homa ritual at a square fire pit lined with pale stone, with a glowing orange fire inside. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit around it. The priest at centre wears gold necklaces and a microphone stands before him. Bowls of ghee with a wooden ladle, yellow flowers, cashews and other offerings sit on the rim. Behind, a deity murti is decorated with red and white flower garlands, and brass oil lamps with lit wicks stand nearby. No a person candidate is clearly visible.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A square stone fire pit glows with burning embers at the centre, surrounded by a marble-edged border strewn with yellow and orange flower petals. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls with red borders sit cross-legged around it, wearing gold necklaces and bangles. One priest on the left reaches toward the fire, another in the centre pours or offers from a brass bowl, and a third on the right holds a plate of grains. Brass oil lamps with lit flames, a garlanded deity murti draped in red and white flowers, and brass bowls of ghee and offerings are arranged around the pit. Four visible priests plus partly visible hands.2010-10-16 +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 copiesA homa fire ritual at night with a square fire pit lit by flames. Four priests in white ritual clothes, with white dhotis and red-bordered cloths and gold beaded necklaces, sit around the pit making offerings; one priest in the foreground sits with hands outstretched over the fire. Behind them a figure in red-orange cloth is seated near a deity murti decorated with red flower garlands and white jasmine strands, with brass oil lamps and a kalasha-like vessel in front. Trays hold yellow flowers, nuts and offerings, and a bowl of liquid sits beside the fire. A framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure with a crown appears at upper right, and the scene includes a brass lamp with a burning wick.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 copiesA 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.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time photograph of a homa being performed at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame. Several priests sit around it in white dhoti and shawls, many wearing gold-toned beaded necklaces. One priest in the centre-right bends forward to pour offerings into the fire, while others hold brass plates of grains, herbs and chopped vegetables. Marigold and red flower petals are scattered on the stone platform. To the right stand brass lamps, a kalasha, red and white floral garlands, bowls of kumkum and a large decorated deity murti behind colourful drapery.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 copiesA night-time homa at a square fire pit lined with white and marble-like edging and scattered flower petals. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls sit around the pit. One priest in the background stands wearing a white dhoti, and a bare-headed seated priest on the right holds his hands in anjali with gold necklaces. Devotees in white cloth sit in the foreground, one holding a brass plate of offerings and another with a brass vessel. To the right is a decorated altar with red and white flower garlands, fruit, brass oil lamps with lit flames, and a deity murti. Brass plates of yellow and red flowers rest on the ground.2010-10-16 +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 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 copies