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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual. A central figure in a white dhoti and white shawl, wrapped in a cream-yellow turban and wearing gold-bead necklaces, stands with hands pressed together in prayer. Beside him a shaven-headed priest in white holds a silver vessel, and other white-clad men stand with folded hands. Seated devotees in white sit at left. Behind them hang mango-leaf strings, a round brass ring, a colourful painted pillar and a carved wooden disc. Four standing men are visible, with several seated people at left.2010-10-16Night ritual at a fire altar. A priest in a white dhoti and white shawl, with a white turban and beaded necklaces, holds a lit flame aloft toward a fire burning in a stone-lined pit decorated with red and yellow flowers. Behind him, two more priests in white stand near a large round bronze vessel and a kalasha-style pot. Several men in white clothing stand in the background, and a brass lamp and bell rest on the altar. Ring-shaped structures and palm-leaf decorations frame the scene. This appears to be a homa fire ceremony.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with stone, with flower petals scattered on the stone edges. A central figure in white draped clothing, with a swept-up blonde-tinted turban-style head covering, gold necklaces and a gold armband, stands with palms pressed together, head bowed over the fire. Two attendants in white dhotis and gold beads stand behind, one holding a silver vessel, and a bare-headed man in white kneels at the front edge. A carved stone disc stands beside the pit, with a kalasha-style decorated pillar and leaf garlands strung above and a large ring structure overhead. Several seated devotees in white watch from the left.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with stone steps and scattered marigold petals. A man in a cream turban and white dhoti with a sash, wearing gold and beaded necklaces, stands with palms pressed together in namaskar over the fire. Beside him a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti holds a silver vessel, another priest in white stands with hands folded, and a seated group in white and yellow watches on the left. A large carved stone disc rests beside the pit, with a kalasha-like vessel and brass bowls nearby.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual outdoors. A sunken rectangular fire pit with bright flames sits in the foreground, with marigold petals scattered on its stone rim. A priest in a saffron turban and white dhoti stands at left, pouring from a brass vessel. A second priest in white with a gold-bead necklace stands centre, holding a ladle over the fire. Behind him a seated man in white with a gold necklace holds a lamp. Two men in white dhotis stand at right with hands folded in namaskar, and another stands at back left. A large carved wooden drum-shaped object sits near the fire. Strings of green leaves and a painted pillar with floral motifs hang overhead, with brass rings above. Other white-clad men and children sit at the far left.2010-10-16Night-time homa at a square stone fire pit with flames rising high, its steps scattered with red and yellow flower petals. Two priests in white dhotis and shawls stand at the fire; the foremost, wearing an orange-yellow turban and a beaded garland, holds up a lit torch. A second priest in white with a garland stands beside him, and a third at the right holds a brass offering tray. Seated devotees in white clothing watch from the left, and a carved wooden disc stands behind the fire. Strings of leaves and hanging decorations frame the dark background.2010-10-16