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Evening homa ritual in a covered hall. A large fire burns in a brick-rimmed fire pit in the foreground, with flower petals and a small brass vessel beside it. On the right, a standing man in an orange-red shawl and matching dhoti holds a small ceremonial plate and a bell-like object; a tilak marks his forehead. Seated devotees in white dhotis and kurtas sit with palms pressed together. On the left, a tall deity murti with an orange headdress and garlands of white flowers stands on a draped blue cloth. Behind, standing participants watch, some in white, one in a blue shirt, and a few in orange. Chairs and mats are visible in the background.

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Evening Gayatri homa at an ashram hall: a fire burns in a brick-lined square fire pit in the foreground with marigold petals scattered around it. A figure in orange and red robes with a white forehead band and a red-orange shawl stands bending over the fire, holding a brass vessel. Beside him a large golden-orange deity murti of an elephant-headed deity, draped in orange cloth and white flower garlands, stands on a blue-and-gold draped platform. Around 20 seated and standing devotees in white dhotis and kurtas sit on mats with palms pressed together in prayer. A man in a dark blue shirt and a figure in a red shawl stand at the back, and an older man in a white cap sits at right. The white-walled hall is dim, lit by the fire and warm lamps.2012-09-05September 05 20122012-09-05September 05 20122012-09-05A standing man in orange and red robes with long dark hair, a white tilak on his forehead and rudraksha mala beads stands at right beside a fire pit with a visible flame, hands folded. Seated devotees in white dhotis and shirts, some with yellow and white clothing, sit on mats with hands joined in prayer. On the left a large gilded deity murti wears an orange and red garment and a white flower garland. Behind them more seated people watch in a pillared hall, with a microphone on the right. The scene suggests a homa or puja.2012-09-09September 05 20122012-09-05September 05 20122012-09-05A photograph of an outdoor-style hall during a fire ritual. A large deity murti with an orange and red garment and garland stands at left, hands raised. In front, a brick-lined fire pit blazes, with a metal dish of offerings held over the flames. Seated devotees in white dhotis and white shirts sit on the floor with palms pressed together in prayer. At right, a figure in a red-orange robe with a tilak and a long necklace stands over the fire pit, holding the offering dish, while another figure in orange stands at the far right edge near a microphone. Brass vessels, flower garlands and marigolds lie on the mat. Behind them, more seated people in white and orange fill the room.2012-09-09A photograph of an evening homa at an open-sided hall. A brick fire pit holds a bright flame in the foreground. Beside it, a man in a red robe with long, swept-back hair and a tilak on his forehead bends forward with a metal plate of offerings, and a bare-chested man in saffron-orange stands at the right holding a small object. A row of seated devotees in white dhotis and mixed-colour shirts sit with palms pressed together. On the left, a large saffron-and-red clad statue of a sage with a garland, holding a staff, stands near the pit. Several other people stand in the background.2012-09-09July 21 20122012-07-21A photograph of a homa or fire ritual in an indoor hall. A standing man in orange and red robes with a red shawl, a vibhuti mark on his forehead and a rudraksha-style mala holds a small bell and a lit oil lamp beside a square brick fire pit with flames. Next to him stands a large orange-robed statue with an orange turban, a white flower garland and a staff. Several seated devotees in white, cream and yellow clothes sit with palms joined in prayer, with a large crowd of people seated and standing behind them. Brass bowls with offerings sit at the front of the pit.2012-09-09Evening puja at an indoor hall with a small brick fire pit burning in front of seated devotees. On the right a man in an orange-red robe with a sacred marking on his forehead holds a lit oil lamp and a bell, facing the fire. On the left a tall deity murti painted in orange and gold wears an orange turban, a white flower garland, and holds a trident, with its hands in añjali pose. Several men in white dhotis and a few in striped or yellow shirts sit with palms pressed together, and a crowd stands in the background. Brass offering plates and marigold petals rest on the floor near the fire pit, along with a microphone on a stand.2012-09-09Indoor homa at night: a small brick fire pit burns with flames while seated devotees in white dhotis and kurtas join palms in namaskar. On the left, a large deity murti with orange and red garments, a flower garland and raised hand stands beside the fire. On the right, a man in a red shawl over orange robes, with a rudraksha mala and white forehead markings, stands with one hand raised in a gesture while attendants in orange robes flank the scene. Flower offerings, a kalasha-style pot, and a microphone sit near the fire. Behind, more seated and standing devotees watch the ritual. The a person candidate is probable by appearance: the standing man wears the red shawl, orange robes and mala described above.2012-09-09