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May 26 2015

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A photograph of a Rudra Homa fire ritual outdoors on green mats. A large fire burns on a stepped altar of yellow-painted bricks decorated with red flower petals. Two priests in white dhotis sit bare-chested at the fire; the front priest wears a yellow turban, a golden garland and a green-and-white sacred thread, and holds a ladle over the offerings. Behind them a seated crowd in white clothes and red-orange shawls watches; several participants fold their hands in prayer. To the right stands a decorated shrine with a golden figure and offering plates, and metal vessels of grains and fruit sit in the foreground.2016-07-02July 02 20162016-07-02 +1 copiesA fire ritual in progress: a large tiered brick altar with red, pink and green painted patterns and scattered rose petals holds a blazing fire with smoke rising. Two priests sit close to the fire; one in the centre wears a green cloth on his head and green waist cloth, and a rudraksha-style mala, pouring from a brass vessel. The second priest on the right is bare-chested with white dhoti, beaded necklace and white markings on his body. Behind them a seated crowd in white clothes with orange-red shawls and lanyards fills the hall. Brass bowls, flower garlands, fruit and an oil lamp lie on the floor to the right, indicating a homa or yagna.2016-07-04Outdoor homa ritual at an ashram courtyard. A tiered white fire altar decorated with yellow marigolds and red flowers holds a lively fire burning in a square pit. Several priests sit cross-legged around it: the central one has a blue-green head wrap, bare chest, rudraksha mala and white dhoti, while others wear white or yellow cloths and one holds a microphone. Fruits, flower plates and brass vessels sit on the floor. To the right, a deity or decorated figure is framed by orange cloth and long garlands of red and white flowers. Orange-roofed buildings and seated devotees in white and red shawls appear in the background.2013-07-19A night-time homa at an outdoor ritual pavilion. A large yellow-painted square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground, decorated with white and purple floral markings and scattered flower petals. Behind it, a priest in an orange-red turban and orange cloth, wearing a rudraksha mala, sits cross-legged and feeds offerings into the fire from a bowl. Beside him, another ritual assistant in an orange turban and orange cloth tends the fire. Standing men in white dhotis with gold borders, some bare-chested and some wearing shawls, stand in the background. Brass lamps, a tray of flower petals, a covered brass vessel and small offering plates sit on a striped mat, along with a silver puja tray holding pink flowers and lit wicks. Gold decorative arches stand behind the group.2017-09-17May 26 20152015-05-26 +1 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual at a brick homa pit bordered with yellow and orange marigold garlands, with a bright flame rising from the centre. On the right, a bearded man with long hair tied up, bare-chested, wearing a saffron-and-orange wrap, red rudraksha malas and red-and-white beads, sits with palms pressed together in namaskar before a microphone; the figure matches the Swamiji (probable) appearance cues of long swept-back hair, saffron clothing and rudraksha malas, presented as the presiding teacher. Beside the fire, a younger man in a white dhoti and shawl holds a microphone and sits cross-legged. Behind them, a seated audience in white kurtas and dhotis wears orange-and-white lanyards, with a few holding hands together or sitting with eyes closed, and a copper-and-brass offering vessel and lamp sit near the fire. Watermarked photo credit omitted.2015-12-11July 19 20132013-07-19March 05 20162016-03-05 +2 copiesMay 26 20152015-05-26September 05 20172017-09-05 +2 copiesJuly 19 20132013-07-19