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March 28 2013

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March 28 20132013-03-28March 28 20132013-03-28March 29 20132013-03-29Night outdoor ritual at a fire pit: a standing man in a rust-red dhoti and saffron-orange shawl with a rudraksha-style mala holds a lit oil lamp aloft to the left. Seated devotees in white clothes with red waist cloths and orange-red shawls sit with palms pressed together before a stone fire pit with a burning flame and brass offering vessels. A shaven-headed priest in saffron with white horizontal markings kneels at the right foreground. Behind them, a golden-framed deity murti is seen in shadow, with a sanctum and plants nearby; more devotees sit in rows.2013-04-01April 01 20132013-04-01Night outdoor ritual at an ashram with a homa fire burning in a raised stone fire pit in the foreground, with brass kalasha pots with mango leaves and coconuts set nearby. Behind it, a seated figure in orange-red robes sits on a red-cushioned seat at left, and a priest in dark robes sits at the right of the fire pit. A large group of devotees in white and orange-red clothes sit on striped mats, many with palms pressed together in prayer. In the background, a decorated golden shrine shows two deity murtis with blue skin and crowns, and a stone Shivalingam sits on a pedestal under a tall brass finial.2013-03-31A night homa at an open-air ritual site: a large fire blazes in a stone fire pit surrounded by brass bowls, trays of flowers, fruit and coconut offerings. Seated in the foreground, a priest in a white dhoti and a shawl over his shoulders sits beside a bearded officiant wearing orange clothing, red and orange garlands and a rudraksha mala, who holds a ritual vessel. Behind them, rows of seated devotees in white and saffron-coloured clothes fill the courtyard. On the left, a golden throne with a red cushion holds a framed portrait of a figure in orange clothing and red garlands; the portrait is a depiction and no appearance-based identification is made. Marigold garlands decorate the foreground.2016-04-03Night outdoor homa at an ashram with a square fire pit at centre, flames rising from it, and brass pots with orange-tipped kalasha offerings in front. A seated figure in dark robes and a bald head performs the ritual on the right, hands raised. Another figure with long dark hair and a bare chest, wearing a reddish cloth, sits on a raised seat at left. Behind them a gold-framed shrine holds a blue-skinned deity murti with a crown, and an orange-brick structure holds a black stone idol. About forty seated devotees in white clothes and maroon shawls face the fire with palms pressed together under string lights.2013-03-31Night outdoor ritual photograph at an ashram. A man in a rust-orange dhoti-style garment with an orange shawl stands at left, holding a silver plate or tray over a stone homa/yagna fire pit. Seated devotees in white and red clothing sit on colourful mats around the pit with hands in anjali; several women wear red shawls and one wears a pink floral sari. A red velvet throne with orange cushion is at far left. Behind them stands a golden-draped shrine with two deity murtis, one dark-blue with a crown and garland. Brass vessels, a kalasha and small oil lamps sit on the pit's edge, with potted plants at lower left. A few men in white also stand in the background.2013-03-29Night-time outdoor ritual on a green mat with a large crowd seated on the ground. A shaved-headed priest in orange-saffron cloth with a saffron shawl sits at the front, tending a yellow-painted square altar with a pot, brass vessels, a brass lamp, and flower offerings. A man seated on a low ornate wooden stool at right wears a crown-like headpiece, rudraksha mala, and a gold-trimmed saffron shawl, with a trident-like staff decorated with white flowers beside him. Many devotees in orange and white clothing sit behind, and a draped throne with fruit and flowers stands at far right.2014-05-20Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual site under string lights, with smoke rising from a golden fire pit where a fire burns and sparks fly. Seated around it, a bare-chested man in a white and green-striped shawl presses his palms together while a man in white ritual clothes sits near the fire. Many participants in white garments with red-and-maroon shawls, some wearing beaded necklaces, sit on mats behind the fire pit. In the foreground a man with a handheld microphone sits in white, and a red and gold throne with a golden base stands at the left, with trays of flowers, fruit and offerings in front. Approximately 30 people are visible.2017-04-28Night-time homa at an open-air ashram courtyard. A rectangular brass-edged fire pit blazes with flames and burning paper offerings, with yellow marigold petals scattered around its rim. Behind it stands an ornate gold throne with a sunburst backrest and red cushion. Devotees in white dhotis, white kurtas and white sarees, many wearing red-and-maroon shawls, press palms together or pour offerings into the fire; one man in white kneels forward over the pit holding a small vessel. A woman at left wears a red shawl and beaded necklaces and clasps her hands. A man at right in a white shirt and red shawl holds a sheaf of printed sheets. Several onlookers are seen in the foreground and background.2016-02-22 +1 copies