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A night-time homa fire ceremony at an ashram. In the centre, a rectangular fire pit blazes with dried red chillies being offered into the flames. A priest in a white dhoti and a tan turban holds a large brass plate or gong near the fire, while a shaved-headed priest in a white dhoti and red-bordered shawl kneels at the pit. Other priests in white with gold necklaces carry trays of red chillies. More men stand with palms joined in the background. A low table draped in purple cloth holds fruit, flowers and brass lamps, and a garlanded brass figure sits at the right edge. Strings of lights and green leaf garlands decorate the open pavilion.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night homa fire ceremony in a temple-style courtyard. A large flame rises from a marble-edged fire pit decorated with flower petals and a copper-coloured bowl. A man in a white dhoti and cream turban, with gold-coloured beads around his neck, holds a brass tray of red offerings over the fire. A second man in white with gold beads stands at left holding another tray of red offerings. A figure in white kneels at the pit's edge, and three more people in white stand with palms pressed together in the background. Brass oil lamps and a silver-framed deity murti with garlands sit at right beside fruit and a purple cloth, under strings of lights and banana-leaf decorations.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a fire ritual at night. A large rectangular homa fire pit blazes in the centre, bordered by rangoli-style flower petals. A person in a white dhoti-style garment and a cream turban stands at the left, holding a brass plate of red flowers or petals over the fire. Other men in white ritual clothes with gold and rudraksha-style necklaces kneel or stand with hands folded in prayer, and one kneels at the left holding a plate of red offerings. A table at right holds fruit, brass lamps, bowls and a decorated deity murti draped in flowers, and a lit oil lamp stands nearby. Strings of lights and banana leaf decorations hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a homa fire ritual outdoors under a leafy canopy. A priest with a shaved head and white dhoti stands center, pouring offerings from a silver tray into a large flame in a fire pit. Another priest in white cloth and gold beaded necklace stands behind, and a bald man in white clothing sits in front of the fire. A man on the left in white with a yellow shawl holds a tray of red flowers. Seated devotees fill the left background, and brass vessels and oil lamps sit on a cloth at right beside a large wooden kalasha-like vessel.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa at an outdoor ashram setting. A large fire burns in a rectangular brick fire pit in the centre, with a bronze homa vessel and flower petals scattered on its raised platform. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold beads stands in the foreground, while to the left a young man in white with a yellow-gold turban, gold necklaces and bangles holds a brass tray of red offerings. Other white-clad priests with gold neck beads stand behind, some with palms pressed together. On the right are a purple-draped table with fruit, brass lamps, and a deity murti adorned with white flower garlands and a green silk cloth. Strings of lights and leaf garlands decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight homa at an outdoor fire pit lined with a white-and-red platform. Tall orange flames rise from the square fire altar in the centre. A priest in a bare-chested pose with gold necklaces kneels at the lower left, close to the fire. Two standing men in white dhotis and white shawls with garlands hold offering trays, one with a yellow-and-white turban and the other bald, and seem to be carrying oblations to the fire. Behind the altar, several white-clad participants stand with palms pressed together, and seated figures in white are at the left edge. Brass lamps, fruit, flower garlands and red petals sit on the altar tables. Strings of red lights and leafy garlands decorate the background.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 at an outdoor ritual ground under strings of green leaves and garlands. A central square fire pit with white stone edges holds a lit fire, surrounded by flower petals. A shaven-headed man in a white dhoti and a bare-chested man with gold necklaces stand near the pit; one officiant seated at left in white cloth faces it with folded hands. A man in a white dhoti and orange-yellow turban-like cloth leans over the fire, and a man in white dhoti holds a silver tray of offerings. Seated devotees in white and orange fill the left background, and a few stand at right. Brass lamps, a wooden carved disc, plates of red offerings and a garlanded deity murti rest on the purple-draped table at right. Ritual decorations hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa fire ceremony outdoors under a canopy of banana leaves and strings of flags. A square fire pit with flames and smoke sits in the centre. Several priests with shaved heads wear white dhotis and gold necklaces, seated on the ground and pouring offerings into the fire, one holding a bowl of grain. A bald priest in white with a gold necklace sits behind the fire pit before an ornate wooden chair, with oil lamps, flower garlands and a small brass vessel on the altar table. Decorative tall cloth banners flank the scene, with more seated figures in the background.2010-10-16 +4 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copies