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A homa fire burns on the floor of a open hall with unfinished concrete pillars and a banana-leaf and bunch-of-bananas canopy overhead. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a red rudraksha-style mala, holds a long ladle or spoon raised over the flames. Beside him a second priest in a yellow shawl and white dhoti holds a small red offering vessel, and a woman in a dark sari with floral print bows her head near the altar. Flower heaps of marigolds, pink lotuses and green leaves surround the fire. Behind, a standing group of devotees in orange and saffron robes and white clothing watches, including a man with a rudraksha-style necklace and a few women in red and orange saris. A figure in white dhoti stands at the left edge.

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September 24 20122012-09-24September 24 20122012-09-24September 24 20122012-09-24 +1 copiesA photograph of a homa fire ritual in a open-sided hall with a banana-leaf canopy and hanging banana bunches overhead. A fire burns in a brick fire pit in the foreground, with a man in a white dhoti and cream shawl holding up a red-and-gold cloth bundle, presumably an offering, above it. Beside him a man in a dark teal shirt and white dhoti holds a cloth bag, and a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti stands with a metal plate. Behind them, a group of people in saffron and orange robes, some with rudraksha malas, stand with hands folded in prayer. A woman in a dark green sari with gold trim stands at right, hands joined, and an older man in white stands at far left with hands raised in namaskar. Brass vessels and paper items lie on the floor.2012-09-24A homa fire ritual in a open-sided hall with brick pillars and a thatched or leafy ceiling. A fire burns in a rectangular stone fire pit with ash, and a red kalasha-like pot decorated with flowers sits in the flames. A priest in white dhoti with red-and-gold border and a red beaded necklace stands at right holding a brass ladle and a bowl of offering. Beside him, a bare-chested man in a dark shirt and white dhoti holds a brass dish. Behind them, a group of people in saffron and orange robes and rudraksha malas stand with hands folded in prayer, and a few in white stand at left. Flower garlands and a tray of offerings lie at lower left.2012-09-24September 24 20122012-09-24Photo of a homa fire ritual in a brick-walled hall with banana leaves hanging overhead. In the foreground a fire pit holds burning wood and a red cloth bundle decorated with flowers. A bare-chested man in a white dhoti and cream shawl, with red garland, pours a ghee-like offering from a wooden ladle over the flames. A man in a dark blue shirt holds a metal bowl beside him. Behind them, a row of people in orange and saffron robes and white dhotis stand with palms together, some wearing rudraksha malas, while a child in white stands among them. A small plate of flowers and offerings sits at left.2012-09-24A homa fire burns in an open pillared hall with a banana-leaf canopy overhead. In the foreground a bare-chested man in white dhoti and shawl, with a red rudraksha-style cord at his neck and a red waist cloth, raises a wooden ladle over the flames while holding a brass bowl. Behind him a group of devotees in white and saffron-orange robes stand with hands folded, watching the ritual. Pineapples and offering items sit at the left edge near the fire pit.2012-09-24September 24 20122012-09-24A photograph of a homa ritual in a hall with a bare concrete floor and a palm-leaf canopy overhead. In the foreground a fire pit burns with a red cloth offering decorated with flowers, and smoke rises. A man in a white dhoti with a red-and-gold waist cloth holds a brass bowl over the flames while a man in blue and red-striped dhoti pours from a tray. Standing behind them, a group of people in saffron and orange robes, some with rudraksha malas, stand with palms pressed together in prayer. Several men in white dhotis and a child in white also stand nearby, with a floral offering and brass vessels on the floor at left.2012-09-24A fire ritual, a homa, takes place in an open-sided hall with brick walls and hanging leafy decorations. A kneeling priest in cream dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold border feeds offerings into a brick fire pit with a long wooden ladle, while a bare-chested assistant in a yellow shawl with a rudraksha mala stands beside him. Behind them, a standing man in a blue dhoti with red-and-gold trim holds his hands in anjali, and a row of devotees in saffron and orange robes and white garments stands with palms pressed together. Flowers, a brass bowl, oil lamps and a plate of fruit surround the pit, and a person in a green shirt photographs the ritual with a phone.2012-09-24September 24 20122012-09-24