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A night-time homa ritual in an outdoor ashram courtyard lit by strings of multicoloured fairy lights. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and a white upper cloth with red borders stands at the edge of a square fire pit, holding a lit camphor flame in a brass vessel while smoke rises. Garlands hang around his neck. Seated devotees in white clothes sit around the pit, one with hands folded in prayer, others with brass plates of offerings, rice, fruit and a lit brass lamp. Two more white-clad people stand in the background, and a tall palm-leaf stalk stands by the pit. Flower petals are scattered on the stone steps. A ceremonial wooden chair and a decorated pole add to the setting.

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Night outdoor fire ritual at a homa pit paved with stone, with flower petals scattered on its rim. A standing priest in an unstitched white dhoti and shawl with a red border, wearing a flower garland, holds a lit camphor aarti flame and a small brass vessel. Seated white-clad priests sit around the pit; one with his palms joined in prayer, others holding brass plates and bowls of offerings and grains. A tall green plant stands by the fire. Behind, a tall tower is strung with multicoloured lights and a banner hangs overhead. Two more priests in white stand at the edge.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a homa fire pit at an outdoor ritual site lit by a bright lamp and string lights. A bald man in white dhoti with red border and gold necklace stands at the pit holding a silver tray with a green cloth. A seated priest in white with gold necklace tends the fire to the right, with a brass oil lamp and fruit offerings nearby. A cameraman in white stands in the background. Two seated devotees in white face the pit from the foreground, with brass plates of offerings. Petals are scattered around the pit's edge. A wooden carved chair stands behind the standing man.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at an ashram with strings of coloured fairy lights on a wall behind. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded mala stands centre, holding a flaming aarti lamp toward a row of tall burning sticks. Seated priests in white flank him; one at right holds hands folded in prayer and wears a garland, another at left holds a metal vessel. Brass bowls, fruit, red flower garlands and lit oil lamps are arranged on the floor. A deity murti with a green-and-gold garment appears at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor courtyard. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold bead necklace stands at a brick fire pit, holding a silver plate with green cloth or offering. A seated priest in white with gold beads watches beside a brass oil lamp, and other seated priests in white sit around the pit with brass plates of offerings and fruit. A cameraman in white stands behind, and the background is strung with colourful lights and a decorated pillar.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight photo of a homa fire pit outdoors, a square brick-lined pit with a tall palm-leaf stalk standing in it and flower petals scattered on its rim. A shaven-headed priest in a white dhoti with red borders and gold beaded necklace stands with palms pressed together in namaskar at the pit's edge. Seated white-clad priests around the pit hold trays and vessels, with brass lamps, bowls, fruit and marigold garlands nearby. Strings of multicoloured lights and a decorated pillar with a striped banner frame the scene. Two more standing figures in white are in the background.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ceremony in an outdoor courtyard decorated with string lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds a tray aloft above a square brick fire pit glowing with embers, rimmed with flower petals. A seated priest in white with a gold necklace tends the offerings beside brass lamps and bowls of fruit. A photographer in white with a camera, a drummer and several seated men in white clothes with rudraksha malas attend the rite. Strings of lights and a lit sign are visible behind them.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual in a covered open hall decorated with red, yellow and green hangings and leafy garland strings. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border and gold-coloured trim holds a flaming lamp and a small brass vessel in front of a seated group of white-clad priests on a low platform. Several seated devotees in white, a bare-headed man in a white garment, and a shaved-headed priest in white and gold chains sit in the foreground. On the left a red and gold throne-style seat holds a framed portrait of a figure in saffron robes, and a brass oil lamp stands on the floor. Brass plates and bowls rest around the platform, and a row of people in saffron and white sits in the background. The scene is a fire or lamp offering ritual, consistent with an aarti or homa setting.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night photo of a Vedic fire ritual at a homa pit, a square sunken fire pit edged with white steps and scattered flowers. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red-bordered shawl and gold beaded necklace stands at the pit holding a burning lamp or torch. Seated priests in white with gold necklaces surround the pit; one holds a silver tray with a green cloth, another sits near brass lamps and fruit. A man with a camera stands in the background, and strings of red and yellow lights decorate the backdrop. Brass lamps and offering bowls sit on the ground.2010-10-16