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A photograph of a fire ritual (homa) at an outdoor pandal. Two men in saffron-orange robes sit at a low fire pit: the foreground man has a shaved head and holds a bowl, while the man in the centre has long, swept-back hair, a rudraksha-style mala and a gold chain, and holds a long ritual implement over the flames. Smoke rises from the pit. Behind them is a decorated altar with garlanded deity murtis, a bank of fruit and flower offerings, and a large printed portrait of a bearded sage on a dark backdrop. Orange and pink flower garlands line the altar base, and white cloth hangs in the centre.

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A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated pavilion. In the foreground a man in saffron-orange robes with a bare upper body and a rudraksha mala sits and works a long ladle or stick over a fire pit, while a second saffron-clad person sits at left beside a garland. A smoky white-robed figure stands at the centre near the fire. Behind them stand floral-garlanded deity murti and a large framed portrait labelled "Nithyanan..." on the right, with marigold and rose offerings on a raised platform and swags of white drapery overhead.2006-07-17A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated temple-style pavilion, with smoke rising from a homa altar. In the foreground, a bald man in orange robes kneels and holds a ladle or offering vessel, while a long-haired figure in orange robes and a shawl, with a rudraksha-style necklace visible, extends one arm toward the altar fire. Behind them, deity murti are garlanded with multicoloured flower garlands and sit amid marigold and rose offerings. A framed portrait hangs on the right, and banana stalks, palm fronds and cloth draping decorate the hall. Two people are visible; the long-haired figure shows some appearance cues but the identification is uncertain.2006-07-17A photograph of an outdoor homa fire ritual under a draped tent with red and gold fringed valances. Two saffron-robed figures sit at a raised fire pit: the seated central priest has long hair, a rudraksha mala and a gold-coloured necklace, and offers into the smoking fire while an attendant in orange beside him holds a tray. Behind them stand two large deity murtis garlanded with yellow, red and white flower strings, and a dark framed portrait is visible at the top right. Flower garlands and marigold strands decorate the fire pit and banana plants frame the scene. Oil lamps and brass vessels stand at the front.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated open pavilion. Two men in saffron-orange robes kneel before a smoking homa fire pit, one bald-headed in orange and a second with long, swept-back dark hair wearing orange garments and a gold necklace, holding a long ritual implement toward the fire. Behind them, deity murtis are garlanded with bright marigold and white flower strings, and a canopy of white drapes and hanging fruit bunches surrounds the altar. Flower offerings in rows lie before the fire pit. A large framed portrait labelled Nithyanan stands at the right, and a pale yellow banner hangs above. The long-haired figure with gold ornaments matches the presentation cues, so he is recorded as a person performing the homa.2006-07-17A smoky outdoor yagna pavilion with white draped cloth backdrop. In the foreground a seated man in orange-saffron robe and a long-haired figure in saffron cloth with a gold chain and rudraksha-style beads sits before a fire pit; a man in white shirt holds a tray of offerings. Behind, a deity murti is decorated with garlands of marigolds and green leaves, and a second garlanded figure sits nearby. Banana bunches hang at the left, sugarcane stalks rise in the centre, and flower-laden silver vessels and a brass lamp sit on the right. The long-haired figure in saffron may be a person, based on distinctive long swept hair, saffron robe and beaded necklace, but the identification is uncertain.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17A photograph of a fire ritual (homa or yagna) in an open pandal. In the foreground a man with long dark hair, wearing saffron-orange robes, a long beaded necklace and a bangle, extends a wooden ladle or stick over a smoking fire pit, with smoke rising. Behind him stand two other seated people partly visible. Ahead, two silver-gilt deity murtis of a standing and a seated form are draped in garlands of yellow, green and white flowers, with a dark portrait behind them. Piles of fruit and marigold and rose offerings, banana leaves and stalks, kalasha-style brass vessels, and white and pink flowers surround the scene. A printed sign on the backdrop partly reads Nithyanan.2006-07-17A photograph of a homa fire ritual inside a decorated tent with white draped fabric and garlanded deity murti in the background. A long-haired man in saffron-orange robes leans over a smoking fire pit, holding a ladle-like offering over the flames, while white cloth is spread along the pit. a person: the central figure has long swept-back hair and saffron ritual clothing, but the appearance is not conclusive enough for certainty. Other attendants in white and saffron sit nearby, one with a flower garland, and a silver kalasha-style vessel stands at the front with marigold and rose offerings on the altar edge. Smoke fills the air around the fire pit.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17