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A photograph of an outdoor ritual homa at a temple courtyard surrounded by palm fronds. A seated figure on an ornate gold and white throne wears a red-orange turban, an orange-and-pink robe, and a long garland of yellow and orange marigolds with red flowers. Two gold-trimmed canopies with red and gold fabric hang above. In front, a fire burns in a rectangular fire pit decorated with flower petals and marigold garlands, with brass lamps and a kalasha nearby. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and white head cloth sits at the left tending the fire, and a man with white ash markings on his body and a white dhoti sits on a striped mat at the right.

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December 19 2022 sripuram2022-12-19A seated figure on an ornate gilded throne with carved lion-like armrests and red cushions sits beneath an open pavilion with gold-painted pillars, flanked by palm fronds and bamboo. The seated figure wears a red turban, a saffron-and-pink garment, and a multi-strand garland of white and yellow flowers with green leaves. A fire pit with a bright flame burns in front of the throne, surrounded by flower-decorated offerings, brass lamps and a kalasha-style vessel on a patterned floor. A man with a shaved head and white cloth draped over his shoulder sits at left tending the fire, and a man with a bare torso, white dhoti and body markings sits on a striped mat at right. Hanging red and gold canopy panels with a green emblem frame the scene. a person candidate appearance is unclear from the image, so identity is not asserted. The fire pit with offerings suggests a homa ritual.2022-12-19A photograph of a seated figure on an ornate golden throne (peetha) under a gold-pillared open canopy lined with palm fronds. The central figure wears a red-orange turban, a saffron-toned garment and a long garland of yellow and magenta flowers, with hands joined in greeting. In front, a fire pit (homa/yagna) burns with offerings, flanked by a floral-decorated altar and a kalasha-like vessel. Two men sit on the ground: one at left in white dhoti with a white cloth over his head, bare-chested, seen from behind; one at right in white dhoti with white sacred ash marks, hands folded. Red and orange ceremonial pennants hang from the pillars.2022-12-19A photo of a homa ritual in an outdoor temple courtyard. A seated figure on an ornate golden throne wears a red turban, a garland of yellow and orange marigolds, and an orange-and-pink cloth. A priest in white dhoti and white head cloth sits at left, tending a fire pit with a flame, marigold petals, a brass vessel and kalasha offerings. At right, a man with white forehead markings and a bare chest sits on a striped mat beside the fire. Golden pillars, potted palms and a tall gold lamp frame the scene. The setting suggests a homa with pada puja.2022-12-19A seated figure on an ornate golden throne with carved lion and floral motifs, wearing a red turban, saffron-orange garment and a yellow and green flower garland, hands folded in front of the chest, sits at the centre of an open-sided golden pavilion. A homa fire burns in a square fire pit in the foreground, with flowers, a brass vessel and a copper kalasha on the platform. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and white head cloth sits at left tending the fire, and a bare-chested man with tilak and a red-and-blue striped cloth sits at right. Palm trees surround the pavilion, and hanging maroon and gold banners with a bird emblem frame the scene. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure's red turban, saffron clothing and garland match the recognizable cues, so this is the Swamiji candidate receiving the ceremony.2022-12-19A photograph of a ceremonial homa in an open-sided pavilion with gold pillars and palm fronds behind. On the left, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and white head cloth sits with palms joined, wearing a rudraksha mala. In the centre, a figure seated on an ornate gold throne with a carved backrest wears a red turban, a yellow and green flower garland, a pink garland and a saffron-coloured wrap; this figure's presentation includes a red turban and garlands but the face is not clearly discernible, so the appearance-based label is uncertain. Before the throne are a fire pit with a flame, offering bowls, a kalasha-style vessel, brass lamps and scattered petals. Another seated figure in white appears at the right edge. Tented fabric with floral motifs hangs from the pillars.2022-12-19December 19 2022 sripuram2022-12-19A photo of an outdoor ritual pavilion with golden pillars and yellow-and-maroon fabric canopies bearing a bird emblem. A seated figure on an ornate gold-and-silver throne wears an orange turban, orange garments and a long garland of yellow and green flowers, with a second garland of pink blossoms draped over the throne. In front, a priest with a shaved head and white cap, bare-chested and wearing a white dhoti, holds a lit oil lamp and rudraksha mala while performing a homa beside a fire pit with flames, brass bowls, and scattered red flowers. Brass oil lamps stand on either side, with palm fronds and trees behind. Whether the seated figure is a person is uncertain from appearance alone.2022-12-19A photograph of an outdoor ritual setting under palm fronds, with a golden ornate throne at the centre. A seated figure in a saffron-red turban, saffron-orange robes and a long yellow-and-pink flower garland sits on the throne, with a red cushion beneath. Probable Swamiji cues: a red turban, saffron robes, and a garland, seated in the central honoured position. A bearded man in white ritual dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala, sits at left with his palms pressed together in namaskar. In front, a square fire pit (homa kunda) burns with flames, surrounded by rose petals, white flowers, brass vessels and kolam designs on the ground. Gold oil lamps stand on both sides, with red-and-gold decorated canopies overhead.2022-12-19A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a shrine. Two bare-chested priests in white dhotis with gold borders and white-and-gold head towels sit at a raised fire pit. The priest on the left, seen from behind, wears a rudraksha mala and offers an item into the flames of an orange fire. On the right, another priest sits seated with his back to the camera. Behind the fire, a figure seated on a gold ornate throne wears a red-and-pink ceremonial turban and pink robes, with white and red flower garlands around the neck. Brass lamps, a kalasha-like brass vessel, plates of fruit and flowers, and yellow and white flower arrangements surround the altar, with greenery visible outside the pillars.2025-12-30A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a gold-pillared pavilion with gold and red draped cloth behind it. On the left, a shaved-headed priest in a white cloth and white turban stands holding a ritual implement beside a fire pit with flames and offerings. In front of him, a figure seated on a low platform wears white draped clothing with a green and red border, garlanded with white flowers and red-green garlands. On the right, a large golden throne holds a statue-like figure in a red turban and red and white garlands, with a green silk cushion. Behind them, a shrine with brass-like pots decorated with flowers and a blue and gold backdrop. Red flower petals are scattered on the floor.2025-12-30A photograph of a homa fire ritual under a gold-pillared canopy with draped gold and red fabric. Two shirtless priests in white dhotis with white head cloths stand at a raised yellow platform with a smoking fire pit. The priest in the centre wears a gold pendant on a beaded mala and holds a ladle over the fire, while the priest at left wears a beaded mala and stands with hands near the offerings. Smoke rises across the scene. At right sits a seated statue in a red turban and red dhoti, draped with white and red garlands, on a gold ornate throne. Brass oil lamps and a brass bowl of offerings sit on the platform.2025-12-30