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Photograph of a ritual homa at an outdoor pandal decorated with marigold garlands and mango-leaf torans. A circular fire pit lined with pink and white flowers and marigold strands holds a small fire. Two men in saffron-orange robes stand at left, one holding a microphone and the other with a palm-leaf sheet, and a man in orange at right presses his palms together in prayer. Behind them a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure sits among garlands above a long table of brass vessels, fruit, sweets and kalasha-style pots arranged with mango leaves. A seated figure in white is visible at the back.

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January 12 20092009-01-12A homa or yagna at an open ritual pavilion decorated with marigold and white flower garlands hanging overhead. In the foreground a square fire pit is lined with orange and white flower garlands, with a flame rising from it. A standing man in an orange-saffron dhoti and orange upper cloth holds a lit lamp or fire vessel aloft toward the sacrificial fire. Behind him, two men in white dhotis and shirts stand near the ritual area, and a few more figures are visible in the background. A long table on the left holds rows of banana-leaf offerings and fruit, with a framed portrait draped in garlands on the left, and brass pots and plates of food are arranged on the floor. A sign in the background reads Sri Sailappan Yagam.2009-01-12January 12 20092009-01-12A photo of a ritual homa beside a decorated shrine. Two men in saffron-orange robes stand at the fire pit; the man on the right, with long swept-back hair, a white forehead mark and a gold necklace, holds a microphone with palms pressed together, while the man on the left wears a gold chain and holds a ritual object. Marigold and jasmine garlands drape the canopy above. A framed portrait labelled "Paramahamsa Nithyananda" sits behind offerings of coconuts wrapped in green leaves, plates of fruit and sweets, and a lit fire in a marigold-decorated pit. Another man in white stands at the back left.2009-01-12January 12 20092009-01-12January 12 20092009-01-12A homa fire ritual inside a marigold-decorated pavilion with orange and white flower garlands draped overhead. A fire burns in a raised square fire pit bordered with orange and white flowers, with offerings, brass vessels, fruits and a tray of lamps on the altar. Three men in saffron-orange robes perform the ritual: one on the left pours an offering with a metal dish toward the flames while another in orange stands beside him, and a third on the right stands with hands joined in prayer. A man in white stands behind them. A framed portrait garlanded with flowers sits on a side table at left, and a fan stands at right. The swami figures' appearance does not clearly establish any particular identity.2009-01-12A night-time photograph of a Hindu fire ritual inside a decorated hall. A round homa fire pit ringed with marigold and orange flower garlands sits in the foreground, with a small microphone on a stand beside it. Several people in orange and saffron robes stand and kneel near the fire, one woman in orange holding up a lit oil lamp while others in white and orange with hands folded stand nearby. On the right, a long white-draped table holds rows of decorated kalasha pots topped with mango leaves and coconuts, plus brass bowls and offerings. Behind the table, a framed portrait of a woman garlanded with flowers hangs above flower strands and a brass lamp. Festoons of orange and white flowers decorate the ceiling.2009-01-12Photograph of a ritual homa at an open-air shrine. A sunken fire pit lined with marigold garlands burns at the lower centre, with flames rising from it. Behind it, a large array of pineapple-shaped offerings and small silver vessels sits on a white-draped table beneath a marigold-decorated altar. A framed portrait of a figure in orange garments hangs above the altar, with garlands across it. At left, a seated man in an orange robe and beaded necklace sits on a red mat beside other seated people in orange. At right, a standing man in an orange robe tends the fire, holding a long ladle or stick. Other figures in white dhotis stand in the background among hanging marigold festoons and plantain stalks.2009-01-12January 12 20092009-01-12A homa fire ceremony in a pavilion decorated with orange and white marigold garlands and flower-draped pillars. A circular fire pit is ringed with a band of orange and white marigolds, with a flame rising at the far end. Two men in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls stand at the left, one holding offerings toward the flame. A third man in orange stands at right with hands folded in prayer. Brass vessels, fruit, flowers and plates of offerings are arranged on a white-draped table, and a pedestal fan and microphone stand are visible at right. Several other people in white and orange sit in the background.2009-01-12A photograph of a homa or yagna ceremony in a decorated hall. A long-haired figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe stands at the left, holding a basket of pink flower petals in one hand and reaching toward a row of offerings. Beside them a man in white dhoti and shirt stands near the altar. Behind the altar a framed portrait of a woman is garlanded with orange and white flowers. Rows of coconuts wrapped in woven netting, bananas and brass plates of offerings line the white-draped table. A large fire pit is ringed with pink and orange marigold garlands. Hanging garlands and a kalasha-like decoration frame the scene.2009-01-12