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Night outdoor fire ritual. A young man in white dhoti and shawl, with a tan head-wrap and orange-beaded necklaces, stands holding a lit oil lamp in one hand and a small bell in the other. Beside him a bald man in white dhoti with red border holds a silver vessel and wears a rudraksha mala. Seated and standing devotees in white, a few in orange and yellow, sit on white cloth at left with brass plates and offerings. A wooden carved disc and hanging leaf garland frame the scene, with smoke rising in the dark background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual at an open-air ceremonial area. In the foreground a fire pit burns beside a carved wooden or stone yoni-style base and brass plates. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban holds a flaming lamp and a bell, while a shaved-headed priest in white with a red-bordered cloth and rudraksha mala holds a brass bowl. Behind them, shaved-headed priests in white clothes stand with palms pressed together, and a row of young boys in white with red scarves sits on the left. Green leaf garlands and a decorated pillar with colourful patterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa or puja site. A man in plain white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban stands at centre with palms pressed together in namaskar. Beside him, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with striped maroon border holds a silver bowl. Another bare-chested priest in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right with palms folded, and a seated priest in white with a mala sits near a carved wooden peetha. Brass vessels and a plate sit on a cloth before them. Behind, rows of seated children and adults in white and yellow clothes watch. Mango-leaf garland hangs overhead, and two large ring-shaped wooden structures with a saffron cloth hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna site. A priest in white dhoti and a pale peach turban holds up a lit camphor flame on a brass aarti lamp, with smoke rising around him. Beside him, another priest in white bends over a fire pit with a large round wooden drum-like object and brass vessels. A third man in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right. A row of mango leaves is strung across the top. Seated devotees in white, some in yellow and orange, sit on white cloth at left, including several children. Brass plates, bells and offerings sit on the mat.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual on a raised platform beneath a strand of green mango leaves and hanging brass rings. A man in a white dhoti and shawl, with a saffron-coloured turban, rudraksha-style beaded garland and gold-toned arm bands, stands with palms pressed together in namaste. Beside him a bare-chested priest in a white cloth holds a brass bowl, and another priest in white with a beaded mala stands at right with hands folded. A large carved wooden peetha stands on the platform with brass plates, a kalasha-like vessel and offering items in front. Seated and standing children and adults in white and yellow clothes fill the foreground, with some wearing orange and red garments.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ritual at an open-air fire pit with a dark stone-lined homa kund and small flames at its edge. A man in a white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban stands with palms pressed together in anjali, with gold necklaces. Beside him a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with maroon border and gold necklaces holds a silver bowl. A carved wooden circular peetha with floral relief stands nearby. Behind, a row of seated devotees in white clothes, some with gold necklaces, watch and pray. Flower petals are scattered on the white steps. Orange and patterned cloth hangings and a leaf garland decorate the pavilion, and a wooden trident-like structure hangs above.2010-10-16Night outdoor fire ritual at a homa site lit by a bright flame in a stone-lined pit in the foreground. A standing man in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds a silver tray with a red cloth on it, while beside him a man in a cream turban and white dhoti with beaded necklaces stands with hands folded. A large carved wooden disc stands on the right, and a priest in white kneels near it. Several seated children and adults in white and orange garments sit on white cloth behind the fire. Strings of green leaves and a painted wooden pillar with blue and orange motifs decorate the scene, with brass plates and vessels around the fire.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa at an ashram. A central fire pit with a blazing flame sits in front, with marigold petals scattered on its stone edges. A woman in white drapery with a tan head wrap and gold arm bands and necklaces pours from a silver vessel while holding a yellow-tinted ceremonial item over the fire. Behind her a man in white dhoti with gold malas stands holding a silver pot. Another man kneels at the far side tending a lamp, and a figure in white with folded hands stands at right. Men in white robes and a few seated boys watch at left. A carved wooden drum-like object and a hanging orange lantern and leaf festoons frame the scene.2010-10-16