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Night homa at an outdoor fire pit. A tiered white-and-yellow stepped altar holds burning wood and smoke rises across the frame. Several young devotees in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit cross-legged around it. A man at right in white dhoti and a white head wrap, with a rudraksha mala, tends the fire with a stick. A purple and orange cloth with printed text lies in the foreground beside a plate of offerings.

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A photograph of a homa fire ceremony at night on a tiered yellow and white fire pit, with flames and smoke rising from wood. A young man in a white dhoti and white head-cloth, wearing rudraksha mala and red-painted arms, leans over the pit and feeds or tends the fire. Around the pit, several young men and women in saffron and orange robes sit and perform the ritual, some with white marks on their foreheads. Marigold garlands and a kalasha-like offering appear at the right edge, and a purple cloth lies on the floor with a kolam-style chalk pattern. Five or more people are visible.2013-11-07Night outdoor homa at a square yellow-painted fire pit with a flame rising from the ash. A young priest in white dhoti and shawl, wearing rudraksha malas and a white head cloth, sits at right performing the ritual with a brass vessel and lamp stand beside him. Four people in saffron-orange robes with white tripundra markings sit at left with hands folded in prayer, and another in orange sits at right. Behind them, several seated onlookers in white and dark clothing watch. The flame and white ash dominate the frame.2013-11-07Night homa at an outdoor fire pit with a yellow-and-white painted square altar. A young priest in white dhoti and white head cloth, with rudraksha malas and red-and-gold bangles, pours offerings toward a flame rising from wood. Behind him, a bald priest in saffron robes with a rudraksha mala stands, and several saffron-clad young sadhus sit beside the fire with white tilak marks. Brass vessels, a kalasha and a lamp are on the ground. Seated white-clad devotees and onlookers fill the background.2013-11-07November 07 20132013-11-07A night-time homa ritual at an outdoor ashram space. A yellow-painted square fire pit holds ash and embers in the foreground, with bundled sticks on a plate nearby. A priest in white dhoti and white head cloth, with a rudraksha mala, stands at right holding a ladle over the fire. Seated to the left and centre are several people in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and forehead markings, some holding sticks or offering items. A decorated altar at right has yellow and orange marigold garlands, a kalasha-like vessel and brass lamps. Other seated devotees in white and grey clothing sit in the background.2013-11-07Night-time homa at an open-air ashram courtyard. A yellow-painted square fire pit is surrounded by marigold and flower garlands, with smoke rising from it. Around it sit about seven young sannyasis in saffron-orange robes, faces marked with white tilak and rudraksha malas, pouring offerings and gesturing toward the fire. One seated figure in white dhoti with a white turban holds a microphone. A red patterned mat lies in the foreground, and seated devotees in white and red shawls watch from the background.2013-11-20Night-time homa at a sacred fire pit lined with yellow-painted edges and a blue-and-yellow decorative tile. A young priest in white dhoti and white turban, with rudraksha mala and white forehead markings, tends a flaming fire of wood and offerings. Behind and beside him, several men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white markings sit around the fire, one holding a brass bowl. A bare-chested young man in white cloth with a rudraksha mala sits at the right, hands folded, and a fourth figure in white sits in the background. Smoke rises, and yellow flowers and dry grass lie around the fire pit.2013-10-15A night homa in progress at a yellow-and-white square fire pit filled with logs and burning embers, with smoke rising. A young priest in white dhoti and a white head wrap, bare-chested with rudraksha malas and sandalwood markings, pours or tends offerings at the fire with a stick. Behind him, a shaved-headed man in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits attentively, and several women in orange saris with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit at left. Devotees in white shirts and dark clothes sit in the background among dim lights.2013-11-07November 07 20132013-11-07November 07 20132013-11-07November 04 20132013-11-04Night outdoor homa at a yellow-tiered fire pit, with a bright fire and rising smoke in the centre. Several young people in saffron-orange robes sit on an orange cloth; a girl at left holds a small offering, and a young man in an orange turban and beaded necklaces at right holds a brass bowl. Other white-clad onlookers sit behind in the dark. Marigold petals decorate the platform, and brass cups sit on a mat at lower left.2013-11-04