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Night homa ritual around a square brick fire pit with a tall flame. Several shaved-headed priests in saffron-orange robes with white and red forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, some with raised hands toward the fire. A priest seated at right on a silver-backed throne in orange robes holds a metal plate, while a handheld offering vessel and small brass pots sit near the fire. Audience hands are visible in the foreground.

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October 27 20142014-10-27October 27 20142014-10-27August 01 20142014-08-01March 18 20132013-03-18March 10 20132013-03-10A night-time homa at a brick fire pit blazing in the centre of the frame. A standing priest in an orange shawl and red-orange garment, with a long mala and a red tilak, holds a tray and stands before a silver ornate seat. Around the fire, seated devotees in red and maroon saris and orange robes sit on mats, some with palms joined in prayer. Bald, white-marked monastics in orange and red shawls sit on the right, and brass pots, kalasha-style vessels, pink flowers and ghee bowls surround the fire. Several white-clad devotees with joined hands sit in the background. The orange-clad figure at the centre is a priest, not an identifiable individual.2014-08-01A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A square fire pit with a bright flame is at the centre, surrounded by many people in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and yellow-gold sacred threads. Several women seated on the right raise their hands and gesture toward the fire, while men with shaved heads and white forehead markings sit on the left and front. A woman in orange sits on a raised seat behind the fire pit, with a silver-framed mirror-like panel behind her. A brass pot and offering vessels sit near the fire. Roughly 40 people are visible.2013-03-18March 18 20132013-03-18March 18 20132013-03-18A night homa at an outdoor square: a raised wooden fire pit with bright flames sits in the foreground. Around it, about eight men in saffron-maroon robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, several holding books or ritual items. On the right, a man in maroon robes and white flower garlands sits on a cushioned seat holding a metal tray. Behind them a large crowd in white and saffron clothing sits in rows, with a bronze deity murti and a carved temple structure in the background, plus kalasha-style vessels and small oil lamps on carpets in front.2014-10-27Night homa at an outdoor ritual site. A square yellow-painted fire pit with a bright blaze sits in the foreground. Several shaved-headed men in saffron-brown robes with red-marked foreheads and rudraksha malas sit with hands folded in namaskar along the left. On the right, a robed figure in saffron clothing wears a long red and white flower garland and sits on a raised seat with a silver backrest, with red and patterned rugs and copper vessels before him. Behind, more devotees in white and orange sit under a tent roof, with a brass kalasha-like pillar and a fan at the edge. A portion of the scene is partly obscured by a lamp.2014-10-27Night-time homa at an outdoor ashram courtyard. A rectangular fire pit with a bright flame sits in the centre, surrounded by many people in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings. A woman in orange sits upright in the upper left behind the pit, with a silver-framed mirror or plaque above her. Devotees around the fire raise their hands, some holding offerings, and others pour liquid or hold items toward the fire.2013-03-18