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Night outdoor homa (fire ritual) on a paved courtyard. A square yellow-bordered fire pit holds burning embers and smoke rises. Several shaved-headed sannyasis in saffron/orange robes with white tilak sit cross-legged on a mat around it, some wearing rudraksha malas. A standing saffron-robed priest stands behind the pit, and a white-clad man with a white garland sits at the pit tending the fire. Brass lamps, a pineapple and bananas, yellow flower garlands and a row of small oil lamps sit nearby; a blue-fringed umbrella stands at right. Approximately eight to ten people are visible.

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Night-time homa at an open outdoor courtyard. A yellow-bordered square fire pit holds a small flame and ash, with brass lamps and yellow marigold garlands beside it. Seated shaven-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit on orange mats. A standing man in orange dhoti wraps his hand around a thread, and a young man in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala sits near the fire. Behind them a table holds rows of brass vessels and a blue-and-white parasol stands at right. Smoke rises through the scene.2013-11-09November 09 20132013-11-09Night ritual outdoors: a fire pit (homa kunda) with yellow-and-white tiered sides burns with flames and smoke. Seven young boys in saffron-orange dhoti and shawls sit cross-legged in a row, with white horizontal forehead marks, white sacred ash on the arms and chests, and beaded rudraksha-style necklaces. The boy at right prepares offerings. Two tall brass oil lamps (deepas) flank the fire, with a brass kalasha, a bowl and a copper vessel nearby. Yellow marigold garlands and flowers decorate a red-and-gold cushion, a tray and brass vessels. A figure in the far upper right is partly visible among garlands.2013-11-09November 19 20132013-11-19A photograph of a homa or yagna at night in an open courtyard. A central square fire pit is framed in yellow paint and decorated with flower petals and red marigold heads, with a fire of burning sticks visible inside. A man in white robes and a white head wrap stands at the pit, pouring an offering from a bronze bowl. Around him, six young men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit on the floor and assist, some holding brass vessels. A woman in a red sari stands in the background, and a red ornamental border surrounds the ritual area. Brass plates, small bowls and flowers lie on the floor. Six to seven people are visible, the seated group being prominent.2013-11-20Night outdoor fire ritual at a square yellow-painted homa pit. A young man in white dhoti and white turban sits at the pit's edge with a rudraksha mala and white forehead marks, raising a hand. Around him, a line of young boys in saffron-orange cloth with rudraksha malas, white tilaka and bare upper bodies sit cross-legged, some with hands raised or clasped. A red cloth-covered altar on the right holds decorated kalasha pots with yellow flowers and green leaves. A kolam floor pattern in red lines borders the pit. Background shows a few adult men in white and red, and a red-cloth table.2013-11-19A night homa in progress: a square yellow fire pit with a flame burning among logs sits at the centre of a floor. Around it kneel about a dozen young boys in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings, rudraksha malas and wrist bands, several with palms pressed together in prayer. In the centre, a bald-headed man in white ritual clothes with a white turban and rudraksha mala sits behind the fire, hands folded before his face. At right, a red-draped altar holds brass kalashas topped with coconuts, green leaves, flowers and purple cloth. A brass plate and vessels sit on the floor near the fire. A man in a white shirt and a woman in white sit at the altar's far side, and a few adults are seen in the background.2013-11-19Night photograph of a homa fire ceremony. A fire burns in a square yellow-painted pit lined with pink flower petals. Seven young shaven-headed boys in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged around the pit. On the right, an older-looking participant in white dhoti and shawl with a white head wrap feeds offerings into the fire. Smoke rises in the dim background.2013-11-19November 19 20132013-11-19Night outdoor fire ritual. A yellow-painted square fire pit holds a burning fire with logs. Around it, young men and women in saffron-orange robes with white forehead bands and rudraksha malas sit on a white cloth, hands raised in prayer. A figure in white ritual clothes with a white head covering and beaded mala kneels at the pit's far side, hands joined overhead. To the right, a red cloth-covered table holds brass vessels, a kalasha topped with a yellow cloth, and garlands of flowers and green leaves. Several seated devotees and a standing figure are visible in the background under dim light.2013-11-19November 09 20132013-11-09November 09 20132013-11-09