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A homa fire ceremony at night, with a yellow-bordered fire pit blazing in the foreground. A priest in white dhoti and a cream turban, with rudraksha malas and a gold-bordered cloth, feeds an orange cloth into the flames from a plate. Behind him, a man in orange robes holds a tray of offerings, and a man in brown-orange robes stands at left holding a garland of yellow and red flowers. A bald man in orange at right holds his hands together in namaskar. A silver vessel and a small brass lamp sit near the fire.

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Night photo of a fire ritual at a yellow-edged fire pit. A bald priest in rust-orange robes with glasses and a headset mic holds an orange cloth over the flames while a younger man in a white dhoti and white turban, with rudraksha malas, bangles and white body markings, reaches in to place it. A third priest in orange stands behind, a yellow flower garland hangs nearby, and seated devotees watch in the background. Smoke rises, and a silver bowl and ladle sit beside the fire pit.2013-11-07November 07 20132013-11-07November 07 20132013-11-07Night-time homa at a yellow-edged fire pit with flames and smoke rising. Three men in ritual dress stand at the fire. The foreground man in front wears an orange-brown robe and glasses, holding a yellow and white flower garland. A man in a white dhoti and white head cloth with gold border and rudraksha beads kneels, placing a dark purple and orange cloth into the fire. A third man in an orange robe stands behind holding a brass plate. Seated devotees in white clothing watch in the background.2013-11-07Fire ritual at night under a tent roof with hanging lamps and a ceiling fan. A large flame rises from a tiered wooden fire pit (homa kunda) dusted with white grains and scattered red flowers. Four men in white dhotis stand around it: at left a shirtless man with an orange-red turban and red flower garland; next a shirtless man with a long swept-back hair knot, rudraksha mala and gold chain, one arm extended over the fire with an orange cloth draped on him; then a shirtless man holding a brass tray of offerings and a yellow-and-white shawl; and at right an elderly bald man with a mala and red-bordered cloth, hands folded in prayer. Garlands hang on the right, a brass lamp stand stands nearby, and a basket of grains sits at left. a person candidate: the long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and gold chain of the second man match the cues; his role is officiant at the homa.2016-12-07Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with stone steps and scattered marigold petals. A man in a cream turban and white dhoti with a sash, wearing gold and beaded necklaces, stands with palms pressed together in namaskar over the fire. Beside him a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti holds a silver vessel, another priest in white stands with hands folded, and a seated group in white and yellow watches on the left. A large carved stone disc rests beside the pit, with a kalasha-like vessel and brass bowls nearby.2010-10-16August 29 20142014-08-29Night 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.2013-11-07October 11 20142014-10-11October 03 20142014-10-03Night photograph of a homa fire ritual outdoors. A sunken rectangular fire pit with bright flames sits in the foreground, with marigold petals scattered on its stone rim. A priest in a saffron turban and white dhoti stands at left, pouring from a brass vessel. A second priest in white with a gold-bead necklace stands centre, holding a ladle over the fire. Behind him a seated man in white with a gold necklace holds a lamp. Two men in white dhotis stand at right with hands folded in namaskar, and another stands at back left. A large carved wooden drum-shaped object sits near the fire. Strings of green leaves and a painted pillar with floral motifs hang overhead, with brass rings above. Other white-clad men and children sit at the far left.2010-10-16Night fire ritual at an outdoor homa or yagna pit, lit by the flames. A man in white dhoti and a cream turban holds a burning camphor flame aloft with a lamp-like vessel, and wears a long rudraksha-style mala with a gold necklace. Beside him a bald assistant in white holds a silver bowl, and another man in white sits behind a copper-coloured peetha or throne-like backrest with hands folded. Marigold petals are scattered on stone steps around the fire pit, and a seated figure in the foreground shows only the back of his head and shoulders. Other men in white stand with palms joined in namaskar, and seated children and adults watch from the left. Festoons of leaves and a decorated pillar hang overhead.2010-10-16