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A night-time fire ritual. A square stone fire pit with bright flames sits at centre. A man in saffron-orange robes, wearing a saffron turban, a long garland of yellow flowers and a rudraksha-style necklace, sits on a raised seat behind the fire, raising one hand toward it. Around him, shaven-headed men and women in orange and saffron robes sit close together with palms pressed in prayer. Behind them, seated people in white garments sit in rows, and a standing fan and brass vessels with offerings are visible.

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July 22 20132013-07-22Night ceremony at a sacred fire pit lit with a large open flame. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing an orange-saffron garment, a gold-coloured garland and a rudraksha-style necklace, sits on a raised ornate silver-and-wood seat holding an open book. Around the fire, seated devotees in orange and saffron robes with gold-trimmed borders hold ritual items and sit in rows; bald men in orange shawls sit at the front left with offering plates nearby. Standing devotees behind wear saffron saris and necklaces, and coloured string lights glow in the background. Pooja offerings and brass vessels lie on a white cloth beside the homa pit, indicating a fire ritual.2013-03-10Night fire ritual. A bright flame rises from burning wood while a central figure in saffron-orange robes, a red turban and several long gold-and-bead garlands sits behind the fire pit and reaches toward it with a ladle-like object. Around the fire, rows of ascetics and devotees in saffron and orange robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, some with shaved heads; several women in orange and gold saris sit at the front right. A standing attendant in white with gold trim and a mala holds a ceremonial fan at upper right. Silver ritual items and a decorated backdrop appear behind. Roughly thirty to forty people are visible.2013-07-22Night ritual photograph at an open-air fire pit where a homa is burning in a square stone fire pit with bright flames. A man seated on a raised cushioned seat behind the fire wears an orange-saffron turban, a heavy layered garland of flowers and a large gold necklace, with a rudraksha-style mala and gold-coloured dhoti border; his appearance is consistent with the page's a person reference, though the image alone leaves identity uncertain. Around him, many people in saffron, orange and mustard robes sit or kneel with hands raised in namaste or clapping, some with rudraksha malas. Brass plates, bowls, a small oil lamp and a cup of red offerings sit on the stone platform near the fire. Behind them is a decorated ceremonial backdrop with greenery, and a standing fan is visible at right.2013-07-22July 22 20132013-07-22A photograph of a night homa at a square fire pit lined with white-painted brick, where flames rise from burning wood. A man with long, swept-back dark hair and a saffron robe with gold-threaded trim and layered beaded necklaces sits on a raised seat before an ornate silver-framed backrest, holding a paper while his hands are raised. Around him, saffron-robed women in orange and red garments with gold borders kneel and sit with palms pressed together, many wearing beaded necklaces and bangles. Shaven-headed men in saffron and orange shawls, some with tilak marks, lift their hands near the flames. Coloured fairy lights glow in the background, and a small silver vessel and offering items sit near the fire pit. A crowd of onlookers in the foreground and background watch the ritual.2013-03-10Night fire ritual. A large fire burns in a stone fire pit at centre with brass vessels and offerings around it. A man in an orange and gold robe with a long flower garland and a saffron head wrap sits at the right of the fire, beside a silver-framed deity image on a stand. Around the fire, many people in orange, saffron and white clothing raise their hands toward the flames, with rudraksha beads and gold bangles visible. Spectators in white clothes stand and sit behind, and a few people with shaved heads are among the devotees.2013-07-22Night-time homa at an open-air fire pit at Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, with a large blaze rising from a square brick fire altar. A central figure in saffron-orange robes, a saffron turban, layered gold and beaded garlands sits behind the fire and holds a sheet while officiating. Around him, shaved-headed sannyasis in orange and devotees in orange and maroon saris with rudraksha malas sit closely in a ring, some holding papers and offering items. Brass vessels and a ritual setup sit near the altar, and a figure in white stands at the right beside a decorated drum. Several white-clad attendees sit in the background under dim light.2013-07-22A night-time homa at an open ashram courtyard. A fire burns in a square stone fire pit at centre, surrounded by seated devotees in saffron and orange robes and rudraksha malas, many with shaved heads. At the back, a figure in a red head covering and ornate gold necklace, wearing a saffron-and-gold cloth, sits behind the fire pit, with a silver-framed altar and a standing man in white at the right edge. Women in orange and red saris with gold borders sit in rows on either side. Brass vessels and offerings rest near the fire. Behind, a seated audience in white clothes watches. The scene reads as a fire ritual during a satsang gathering.2013-07-22A photograph of a fire ritual at night. A central figure with long dark hair sits cross-legged on a raised golden throne draped with a leopard-print cloth, wearing an orange robe and layered garlands of gold-yellow beads, holding a small object in one hand. Before him a square homa fire pit burns with flames and stacked logs, with brass vessels and offering trays around it. Around the fire, shaved-headed men in orange robes and rudraksha malas sit in rows, several with hands raised in mudra or holding ritual items. Women in orange and red saris with gold borders and beaded necklaces sit or stand behind them, and a woman in the foreground with her hair pinned up faces the fire. Coloured string lights glow in the background. Visible people number roughly thirty.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A night-time homa at a Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam-style ashram: a square fire pit with a large flame sits at centre, surrounded by many seated devotees in saffron and orange robes and red blouses. Behind the fire, a seated figure in saffron with a long garland of beads sits on a raised dais beside a silver trident and a decorated peetha. Several monastics in orange with rudraksha malas kneel or sit close to the fire, holding ritual items, while a standing attendant in white appears in the background. Dense rows of onlookers fill the courtyard under a dark night sky, with an orange-painted building behind.2013-03-10