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A photograph of an evening homa at an open-sided ashram pavilion. A priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and orange turban kneels at a white-tiled fire pit, pouring offerings from a ladle into bright flames. To the right, a tall pot-shaped altar or kalasha is decorated with yellow marigold garlands and draped in purple and blue cloth. A white pedestal fan stands beside it, and a red cushioned chair sits at the left edge. The surrounding area is dark, with smoke rising from the fire.

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October 06 20132013-10-06A night-time homa at an open-air ritual site. In the centre a fire blazes in a stepped yellow-brown fire pit, with smoke rising. Behind it stands a tall golden cobra-hood canopy above a deity murti draped in yellow and orange marigold garlands. To the left, a priest in a rust-orange dhoti and matching turban holds a lit lamp toward the altar. On the right, a person in rust-orange robes sits on an ornate red and gold throne-style chair, hands pressed together, while another robed attendant stands behind with hands folded. Trays of fruit, flowers, kumkum and brass vessels lie on the floor, and a standing fan is visible.2013-10-06A night-time homa ritual in an open-sided hall thick with smoke. A fire burns in a stepped golden-brown yajna kund at centre, with brass vessels, flower offerings and red petals around its base. Behind it stands a large deity murti adorned with yellow marigold garlands, beneath a hooded cobra canopy. To the left, a man in an orange headcloth and orange dhoti holds a small lamp or ladle toward the fire. On the right, a seated figure in a red-and-gold throne wears a maroon-orange robe, hands folded in prayer, with a white cloth at his hand. A second robed attendant in maroon stands with hands folded near a standing fan. A small framed picture of a deity hangs on the wall at left. Visible people: about four.2013-10-06A night homa ritual in an open-sided hall. A priest in an orange-brown dhoti and orange head cloth, bare-chested with gold bangles, holds a lit oil lamp toward a shrine. The shrine holds a deity murti draped in yellow and orange marigold garlands, with a large gold cobra hood above it. A fire pit blazes with smoke, surrounded by brass vessels, fruit, flower offerings and a ladle. On the right, a figure in red-brown robes sits on a red velvet throne with gold trim, hands folded near the face, and a second robed figure stands behind with palms joined. A pedestal fan and a small framed deity picture hang in the background.2013-10-06October 08 20132013-10-08A night homa in an open-sided pavilion. A standing priest in an orange-saffron dhoti with a matching orange turban and gold-bordered cloth pours an offering from a silver vessel into a rising fire on a stepped stone fire pit. Smoke fills the air. Behind the fire, a figure seated on a red upholstered throne with gold trim and a gold-bordered back is partly visible, wearing orange-saffron clothing and a chain. To the left, floral garlands hang on a decorated deity murti altar with white flower decorations. Brass pots and bowls sit on the stone steps, with scattered flower petals, stacked firewood, and yellow cloth bags at the lower left. A fan stands beside the throne.2013-10-13October 06 20132013-10-06October 06 20132013-10-06A night-time homa at an open-air ritual site. A priest in orange-saffron dhoti and turban at left holds a lit lamp or fire vessel toward the flames. Behind a large fire pit with burning wood, a deity murti with a cobra-hood crown is garlanded with yellow and orange flower garlands. A seated figure in red-brown robes sits in an ornate red-and-gold throne at right with palms pressed together, while a second robed attendant stands behind the fire. Brass vessels, banana leaves, flowers and offerings lie on the floor, and a standing fan sits near the throne.2013-10-06Night-time homa at an open-air outdoor setting. A large fire blazes in a golden-edged square fire pit in the centre, with smoke rising. Behind it stands a deity murti with a golden multi-hooded naga canopy, decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands. To the left, a standing man in an orange-brown dhoti and an orange head wrap holds a ladle over the fire. At right, a seated man in orange-brown robes sits on an ornate red and gold throne with hands folded in prayer, and a woman in a brown robe stands beside him with hands joined. Brass vessels, flower offerings, red petals, and a small framed deity picture sit around the fire pit.2013-10-06Night outdoor homa: a man in saffron-orange robes and an orange turban, with long reddish-brown mala beads and a small microphone at his cheek, feeds flame from a wooden stick into a raised white-tiled fire pit where a bright fire burns with smoke. A small fan stands in front, and to the right a tall deity murti or throne-like structure is draped in purple cloth and heaped with yellow marigold garlands and green leaves. Dark background.2013-10-06October 06 20132013-10-06