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A homa fire ceremony in a covered outdoor space. A square fire pit with a smoking fire of wood and offerings sits at the centre, surrounded by many devotees seated and kneeling in saffron and orange clothing with yellow borders. A figure in the foreground, seen from behind with long dark hair and a heavy gold necklace, holds an open book of chanted text. Other men with shaved heads, white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit with arms outstretched toward the fire. Brass vessels, bowls of grains and a small kalasha lie on the fire-pit edge. Several women in orange saris offer materials into the flames, and more standing devotees line the back.

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A homa fire ceremony in progress on an open-air temple floor. A square fire pit with rising smoke sits at centre, flanked by brass bowls, small silver vessels and offerings. Several men in orange and saffron dhotis with bare upper bodies and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged around the pit, many with white tripundra markings on their foreheads. Women in orange and gold-bordered saris sit on the left side with hands extended toward the fire. At right, a bald man in orange cloth and a long gold necklace sits on a leopard-print seat reading from a white book, with a young boy beside him. Silver ritual implements rest on a green cloth in the foreground, and a crowd of onlookers stands behind. Plants in pots and a shrine structure appear in the background.2013-06-13A homa fire ritual in an open courtyard, with a square stone fire pit holding burning wood and smoke rising. Around it sit many people in saffron-orange clothing with yellow borders and rudraksha malas, most with shaved heads or white tilak marks. On the right foreground, a person in orange with a gold necklace reads from an open paper while a standing or seated officiant pours offerings. Small brass bowls of kumkum, turmeric and offerings, a kalasha and oil lamps line the pit edge. Behind, onlookers in white and light clothing watch, and a camera operator stands at left. The scene shows a yagna with chanting and devotees seated in rows.2013-06-13A photograph of a homa or fire ritual at night, with thick white smoke rising from a square stone fire pit in the foreground. Behind the pit, a seated figure on a raised golden-framed seat wears a garland of white flowers and a red-orange garment. Around the pit, devotees sit in rows dressed in orange-red robes with gold borders, many wearing rudraksha malas and bangles. Several shaved-headed men in orange shawls sit at left, some with tilak marks, near brass vessels and offering bowls. A woman in an orange-gold sari stands at upper right, and a white-clad crowd of onlookers fills the background under a ceiling fan. Only identity-neutral roles are described; no appearance-based identification is made.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ritual in an outdoor hall at night. A square fire pit with smoke rising from it sits in the centre, surrounded by devotees in orange and saffron clothes with rudraksha malas. A long-haired figure in orange robes and gold-coloured ornamental necklaces sits on a raised ornate throne behind the pit, hands pressed together. Several women in red and orange saris sit close around the pit, and bald and white-clad men sit in the background. Brass pots and small offering vessels are placed at the pit's edge. a person (long swept hair, orange robes and ornate gold necklaces) seated on the throne during the homa.2013-03-10A homa fire ritual in an open-air ashram courtyard, with thick white smoke rising from a square fire pit lined with stone. Many seated participants in saffron and orange robes and yellow borders raise their hands toward the fire, some with palms pressed together. A man in orange at the right sits on a leopard-print cushion, wearing a long ceremonial gold necklace with a rudraksha mala, reading from an open book while others gesture over the fire. Brass vessels, a kalasha, small bowls of grains and red powder, and a ladle lie beside the pit. Standing devotees in the background and a tiered orange-and-gold shrine appear behind.2013-06-13A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night, with a large square fire pit blazing at centre. A woman in a dark orange sari with long dark hair and a rudraksha-style bead necklace kneels at the pit's left edge, holding a small white bowl over the flames while a small book rests on the ground beside her. Around her, shaven-headed men in saffron-orange cloth sit on the ground, some pouring offerings and handling brass vessels, and rows of women in orange and saffron saris with ornate gold necklaces sit with hands folded behind them. Colourful lights glow in the background, and leaves and grains are scattered on the white-edged altar. Three people in the foreground have partially visible faces at the edges.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 18 20132013-03-18Night-time homa at a square fire pit lined with white borders and scattered sticks, flames rising high in the centre. Around the fire, shaven-headed men in saffron robes with gold-yellow borders and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, some holding ladles and offering sticks. Behind them, women in saffron and orange saris with yellow borders sit with palms pressed together, and brass vessels and lamps rest near the pit. The scene is a satsang homa with offerings.2013-03-10Photo of a fire ritual with a square brick homa pit at lower centre, flames rising and smoke drifting, with offerings and small bowls around its edge. Around it sit many shaven-headed sannyasis in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha mala necklaces, many with white tilak marks, some with hands raised or in offering gestures. On the right, a woman in orange robes and ornate gold necklaces sits beside an ornate silver-framed shrine, holding a small book and a flower. Devotees in red and orange saris and bangles, with hands extended toward the fire, fill the foreground, and a large crowd of people in white stands behind. a person (saffron robe, long dark hair, ornate gold necklaces) is seated at the right; the figure is shown in the right foreground with saffron clothing and gold jewellery as a satsang-style ritual gathering takes place.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A man with long, swept-back dark hair, wearing an orange robe, a gold necklace and a rudraksha mala, sits on an ornate chair with a leopard-print cushion and holds an open book. In front of him a large square fire pit blazes, with metal bowls of yellow and red powders, leaves, and ritual implements arranged on the stone ledge. Around the fire sit about a dozen women in orange and red saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces, some holding offerings. Their presence suggests a fire ceremony led by a person in saffron, seated in a place of honour. Other devotees sit in the foreground.2013-03-10Outdoor homa at a square fire pit filled with burning sticks and smoke rising. A man in orange robes with a gold-embroidered shawl and heavy beaded necklaces sits on a leopard-print cushion at the right, reading from an open book. Around the fire, many people in orange and saffron robes sit on the ground, some with rudraksha malas and forehead markings. Brass pots, bowls and a kalasha sit along the fire pit edge, with a tray of silver implements in the foreground. Women in orange saris and a man in red-orange robes tend the offerings, and a standing crowd in white clothes watches from the background. Green plants in pots line the setting.2013-06-13