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A photograph of a homa/yagna fire ritual in a hall. In the foreground a brick-lined fire pit with a burning fire and scattered marigold and rose petals sits beside a white-bricked raised platform. Two men in saffron/orange robes sit cross-legged at right; the nearer one holds a small steel vessel and a pinch of offerings, and a microphone stands before them. Behind the fire, rows of women in white, yellow and blue saris sit on low white brick platforms with small brass lamps and bowls. A bearded man in white stands at far right, and a brass kalasha-style lamp rests near the altar. The scene is dim and lit by oil lamps and fire.

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December 30 20072007-12-30December 25 20072007-12-25A homa ritual at a brick-lined fire pit ringed with yellow flowers, with fire burning in the background. A man in an orange shawl and a garland of white flowers sits at the front, holding a small bowl and a ladle over the pit while speaking into a microphone. Around him, several men in white kurtas and orange shawls sit on mats, some holding trays and offerings. Fruit, bananas, flower petals, grains and bowls of offerings are arranged on a cloth. A tall brass-topped staff stands nearby. The scene is a fire ritual with offerings and chanting.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25December 24 20072007-12-24A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a hall. A central fire pit is built of white bricks with yellow marigold petals scattered around its edge. Behind it, a bright fire burns. A figure seated at the centre wears an orange robe, a white and orange garland and a red forehead mark, holding a small ceremonial object over the pit while speaking into a handheld microphone. Around them, about a dozen seated men wear orange shawls over white kurtas, and several sit on mats. Trays of fruit, flowers, coconut, bowls and wood sticks lie on the floor. A peacock-feather fan stands on the right, and a white-clothed table is at the back left.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25Photograph of a homa fire ritual in progress. In the foreground a white-brick square fire pit, edged with yellow flowers, holds a fire. A man in a saffron shawl with a floral garland and a rudraksha-style necklace kneels at the pit, feeding offerings from a brass dish, with a microphone stand beside him. Behind him, several men in white dhotis and orange shawls sit on mats, some tending offerings, while plates of flowers, grains and fruit, and a brass vessel, sit on the left. A bright orange fire glows at the back of the room. The man in front has distinctive long swept-back hair and ornate adornments, but the appearance is uncertain, so he is described by role only.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25A homa ritual at a square fire pit lined with white brick and decorated with yellow flowers. A man in an orange shawl and a white garland sits at the front, feeding offerings into the pit with his hands, with a handheld microphone clipped near him. Around him, seated devotees in white clothes and orange shawls, some wearing rudraksha malas, chant and watch on mats. Trays of flowers, fruit, bowls and dry wood sit on the floor, and a bright orange-yellow hanging cloth glows in the background. Whether the central figure is a person cannot be established from appearance alone, so he is described by role only.2007-12-25A photograph of a homa ritual in progress at a brick fire pit lined with yellow marigold petals. A central figure in saffron-orange robes, with long dark hair and a white and green flower garland, sits cross-legged and holds his hands together before a microphone stand. Around him, about a dozen devotees in white dhotis and orange shawls sit on mats, some with hands folded and some holding ritual implements. Wooden sticks, brass bowls, incense and offerings sit beside the pit. a person (appearance cues: long swept-back hair, saffron robes and flower garland) leads the fire ritual, with the Vidhyarthi Homa described on the page.2007-12-25A photo of a homa in a white-walled hall decorated with coloured paper streamers and orange banners. In the foreground, a white-brick fire pit strewn with yellow flowers holds offerings; brass lamps and fruit plates sit nearby. A seated man in orange robes and a white flower garland, with a microphone stand before him, leads the ritual while others in white and orange sit on mats, some with palms joined. An orange curtain and hanging ritual implements frame the doorway at right. Around 30 people are visible, including a standing figure in white at the back and a small child held by a seated devotee.2007-12-25