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Night ritual homa at an open-air ashram courtyard. A fire blazes in a rectangular fire pit in the foreground, surrounded by white flower petals and brass vessels. A man on the left in white dhoti and a pale yellow turban stands with one arm outstretched, bare-chested with gold bangles. Beside him, a bald priest in a white dhoti with a maroon border and a rudraksha-style bead necklace holds a ritual object over the flames. A third white-clad priest kneels near a carved wooden seat, and a seated man in the lower left presses his palms together. Dozens of seated devotees in white clothes, some with yellow shawls, watch from behind. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-like vessel and a cloth-draped table of offerings sit at the right, with a decorated pillar and leaf garlands overhead.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa at an open-air fire pit lined with brick and stone steps. A central figure in a white dhoti and white shawl, with a white turban, holds a burning ceremonial torch above the fire and smiles. Beside him, a bald man in a white cloth wears a beaded mala and holds a small offering. To the right, a younger priest in white with a gold-toned mala holds a brass plate of offerings. Another white-clad devotee stands with palms joined at the far right, and a seated audience in white and orange clothes watches from the left. Behind the fire, a copper-toned disc and yellow-and-white hanging ornaments decorate the space, with leafy garlands strung overhead. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit and flowers and a red cloth sit on the table at the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa at an ashram. A square stone fire pit with a large blazing flame sits in the foreground, with petals scattered around it and a brass lamp and offering trays on a purple cloth at the right. A man in white ritual dress with a white head wrap and garlands holds up a burning vessel above the fire. Beside him a priest in white dhoti and shawl with a garland stands with hands folded, and another white-clad man stands at right. A woman in a white sari on the left side of the fire pit faces the flames. Seated devotees in white and orange-toned clothing fill the background, and hanging yellow leaf garlands and round hanging lanterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph taken at night of a homa fire ceremony outdoors. A large flame rises from a square stone fire pit in the centre. Three priests stand behind the fire: the central one in white clothing with a light-orange cloth draped over his shoulder and a rudraksha-style mala necklace, the figure on the left wears a saffron-orange turban and white garment with beaded necklaces, and the figure on the right in white with a red-striped cloth holds a vessel. A seated audience in white clothes watches from the left, and a standing person with hands folded stands at the far right. Offerings, brass plates, oil lamps and a decorated round wooden plaque lie near the fire, with a garland of flowers and yellow leaf festoons strung overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa fire ritual in an open courtyard. A square brick fire pit with a lit flame sits on a white-cloth platform strewn with flower petals. A man in a white dhoti with a yellow-orange head wrap stands at the pit pouring an offering, while a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red borders and a gold-bead garland holds a brass plate. Another attendant in white with a garland stands at right beside a carved wooden stand, and ceremonial lamps and brass vessels sit at the front. Seated devotees in white and colourful clothing watch from the left under a leafy garland-decorated canopy, with a large red flower garland visible at lower right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa fire ritual in an open courtyard. A large square brick fire pit with stepped stone edges blazes at centre, flames rising high. A priest in white dhoti and a white head wrap, with a gold necklace, stands at the pit feeding it with a long ladle. Beside him a man in white dhoti with a beaded mala holds a brass plate of offerings. Another attendant in white stands further back, and seated devotees in white fill the left background. In the foreground lower left, a bald person in white sits facing the fire. Scattered flower petals line the stone platform, with brass oil lamps and a garlanded brass vessel at lower right. A round carved wooden shield-like panel stands behind the pit, and yellow-green leaf garlands hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at an open-air ritual ground. A square brick fire pit in front holds a bright flame, its stepped edges sprinkled with marigold petals. A bare-chested man in a white dhoti and white shawl stands at the front left, reaching toward the fire with a long ladle, while a priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold-coloured beads holds a brass plate of offerings. Beside him stands another priest in white dhoti with a yellow-trimmed shawl, holding a plate and beads. A carved wooden throne with a round back stands behind the fire. Brass lamps and a flower-draped object sit at the right edge. Overhead, a strand of green leaves is strung across the top, and a seated audience in white and saffron-tinted clothing fills the left side of the frame.2010-10-16A night homa ritual at an outdoor ashram setting with a visible fire pit in the foreground. A man in a white dhoti and white shawl with a saffron-coloured turban stands with hands folded in namaskar beside the flames, wearing a rudraksha-style bead necklace. Behind him, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with an orange bead necklace holds a brass bowl. Another priest in white stands at right with folded hands, and a seated priest beside a carved wooden peetha holds offerings. Seated children and adults in white and orange clothing sit on the ground in front of the fire, some with brass plates. A green mango-leaf garland hangs overhead between two painted pillars, with a large orange ring structure above. Brass oil lamps and flower arrangements sit on a purple cloth at lower right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual at a homa pit. A fire burns in a square stone yagna kund with flowers scattered on its rim. A tall figure in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a saffron turban and multiple beaded malas, stands with raised hands beside the fire. Beside him a bare-headed priest in white and gold-beaded necklace stands near the pit. A man in white kneels at right beside a large carved wooden peetha-like piece, and a man in white attends at right edge. Seated devotees in white and orange clothing, including children, sit in rows at left. Brass lamps and offering vessels sit at the pit's edge; a lit oil lamp rests at lower right. Green leaf torana and painted pillars frame the background.2010-10-16 +1 copies