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Night-time homa at an outdoor temple courtyard. A fire pit lined with yellow-painted borders sits at the centre, with white flower petals around it. A line of priests in saffron and orange robes with white forehead markings sit cross-legged on a mat behind microphones. Seated in the centre-right, a priest in a saffron-red shawl and a white sacred thread, with a shaved head and white markings, pours from a brass vessel into the ritual area. Behind him is a red and green draped altar decorated with garlands of yellow and purple flowers. In the foreground, four people in white dhotis with gold borders and rudraksha malas sit with their backs to the camera, facing the fire. Several men in white shirts sit at the left edge. Brass pots, bowls and oil lamps are arranged around the fire pit.

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September 06 20142014-09-06A photograph of a night homa in progress at a fire pit set in a yellow-bordered square, with a bright flame rising from it. Several people in white dhotis with gold borders sit around the pit; the three in the foreground face away from the camera, wearing rudraksha malas. Behind the fire, a group of robed priests in orange and saffron sit on a mat, some with white markings on their foreheads, one playing a small hand instrument. At the centre, a seated figure in an orange turban and saffron robe, with a rudraksha mala, sits before the fire. To the right, a large golden seat draped in red and green cloth is garlanded with yellow and red flowers, and a mound of smoke drifts through the scene.2014-09-06A night-time homa at an outdoor shrine. A central officiant in an orange-and-saffron garment and orange head wrap tends a small square fire pit with a flame and offerings on a yellow-bordered platform. Seated devotees in white dhotis with gold borders, rudraksha malas and red-and-white arm threads sit around the pit, some facing the fire. To the right, a deity murti is decorated with garlands in yellow, white, purple and green, with a green and red cloth draped behind. Microphones stand on the left among orange-robed seated monks, and a copper bowl sits beside the fire.2014-09-06September 06 20142014-09-06Night-time homa at an open outdoor site. A square fire pit lined with yellow-painted edges holds glowing embers. Several priests in white dhotis and white shawls, with rudraksha malas, sit cross-legged behind microphone stands on the left. On the right, priests in saffron-orange robes and orange turbans chant seated before the pit, with brass plates, bowls of offerings and a small oil lamp at the front. Behind them a seated audience in white and orange clothing watches, and a tall lit deity murti stands in the background. Marigold garlands and a paper sheet of text lie near the front.2014-09-06August 29 20142014-08-29August 29 20142014-08-29A night homa in an outdoor temple courtyard. A square fire pit lined in yellow sits centre frame with a small flame burning inside it. Around it sit several priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered shawls and rudraksha malas, with microphones on stands before them. Behind them, a seated priest in an orange-saffron shawl and orange cloth tied over the head pours offerings near brass pots and bowls. Two seated people in the foreground, one with a dark braid and rudraksha beads, face the fire. To the right, a deity murti is decorated with yellow and purple garlands, red and green drapery, and a golden arch. A teal cloth covers a table in the lower right corner. Several other people in white sit at the back left. a person candidate: a seated figure in orange with a red-orange cloth over the head, cues not distinctive enough to confirm identity.2014-09-06Night outdoor ritual at a homa pit: a square yellow-painted fire pit with burning embers sits in the foreground. Several seated priests perform the ceremony on a mat. A bald priest in saffron-orange cloth with a white forehead mark sits center-left; another in a red-orange shawl and white dhoti reads from a book at a microphone. A figure in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala sits right beside a gilded deity murti draped in red cloth and garlanded with marigolds and roses, under a golden canopy. Brass plates, kalasha vessels and flower offerings surround the fire. Devotees in white with red shawls sit at left.2014-10-11A night-time homa at an ashram. Four priests sit behind a large yellow-painted square fire pit filled with ash. Priests on the left wear white dhotis and rudraksha malas with white forehead markings; the seated priest in the centre wears saffron-orange robes and a saffron-orange shawl and tends the fire with a bowl. The priest on the right wears white with a red-and-pink headpiece and holds a flower and a silver vessel. Silver pots and fruit sit on the floor, and seated devotees in white fill the background. Hanging colourful ceremonial banners frame the scene.2014-10-11Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space with a yellow-edged square fire pit at centre. Seated men in white dhotis with gold borders and rudraksha malas sit around the pit, several with sacred marks on their foreheads and arms, and some with microphones on stands. A central figure in an orange-red turban and orange cloth, with white markings on his body, sits on the far side of the pit tending offerings in a brass bowl, while others in orange robes sit behind. To the right, a deity murti is decorated with garlands in red, green, white and purple, draped in a red and green cloth, beside a golden arch. A brass vessel and offering plates sit on the pit's edge.2014-09-06Night-time homa ritual in an open courtyard. A square fire pit with a yellow-painted brick border holds a flame at its centre. A man in an orange robe and orange head wrap sits behind it, raising a hand and pointing upward, while another man in white dhoti and white head band, bare-chested with rudraksha malas, sits nearby. A row of seated men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas sits on the left before microphone stands. Behind them, many saffron-robed devotees sit on the ground. A large floral garland hangs from an ornate golden structure on the right, beside a golden elephant figure on a red-draped stand and brass offering vessels. Bright fruit and flower offerings lie on the ground.2014-08-29