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Night ritual outdoors: a fire pit (homa kunda) with yellow-and-white tiered sides burns with flames and smoke. Seven young boys in saffron-orange dhoti and shawls sit cross-legged in a row, with white horizontal forehead marks, white sacred ash on the arms and chests, and beaded rudraksha-style necklaces. The boy at right prepares offerings. Two tall brass oil lamps (deepas) flank the fire, with a brass kalasha, a bowl and a copper vessel nearby. Yellow marigold garlands and flowers decorate a red-and-gold cushion, a tray and brass vessels. A figure in the far upper right is partly visible among garlands.

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Photograph of a homa/yagna at night in an open-air ritual space. A square fire pit lined with yellow-painted edges and scattered pink flower petals holds a burning fire. Around it sit about a dozen young men in saffron-orange robes, rudraksha malas and white forehead and arm markings. A central figure in white dhoti and a cream turban, with a rudraksha mala and white markings on his arms, sits before the fire, holding offerings. Brass vessels and a small kalasha stand nearby, and a red cloth with a purple-and-gold draped display is at the right edge.2013-11-19A photograph of a homa or yagna at night in an open courtyard. A central square fire pit is framed in yellow paint and decorated with flower petals and red marigold heads, with a fire of burning sticks visible inside. A man in white robes and a white head wrap stands at the pit, pouring an offering from a bronze bowl. Around him, six young men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit on the floor and assist, some holding brass vessels. A woman in a red sari stands in the background, and a red ornamental border surrounds the ritual area. Brass plates, small bowls and flowers lie on the floor. Six to seven people are visible, the seated group being prominent.2013-11-20Night photograph of a homa fire ceremony. A fire burns in a square yellow-painted pit lined with pink flower petals. Seven young shaven-headed boys in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged around the pit. On the right, an older-looking participant in white dhoti and shawl with a white head wrap feeds offerings into the fire. Smoke rises in the dim background.2013-11-19December 19 20132013-12-19Night-time homa at an open outdoor courtyard. A yellow-bordered square fire pit holds a small flame and ash, with brass lamps and yellow marigold garlands beside it. Seated shaven-headed young men in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas sit on orange mats. A standing man in orange dhoti wraps his hand around a thread, and a young man in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala sits near the fire. Behind them a table holds rows of brass vessels and a blue-and-white parasol stands at right. Smoke rises through the scene.2013-11-09Night outdoor homa (fire ritual) on a paved courtyard. A square yellow-bordered fire pit holds burning embers and smoke rises. Several shaved-headed sannyasis in saffron/orange robes with white tilak sit cross-legged on a mat around it, some wearing rudraksha malas. A standing saffron-robed priest stands behind the pit, and a white-clad man with a white garland sits at the pit tending the fire. Brass lamps, a pineapple and bananas, yellow flower garlands and a row of small oil lamps sit nearby; a blue-fringed umbrella stands at right. Approximately eight to ten people are visible.2013-11-09Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space. A fire burns in a yellow-edged stone fire pit, sending up smoke. Several young men in orange-saffron robes sit on the floor, some with shaved heads and white tilak marks, some wearing rudraksha malas. A young man in front on the right, with a shaved head and white markings on his chest, sits with an open book and offering items. Behind him stands a gold lamp stand with an oil lamp, beside a red velvet and gold throne. A framed portrait on the throne shows a figure in orange robes with a mala. Yellow marigold garlands and brass vessels surround the fire pit.2013-11-09December 17 20132013-12-17A night homa in progress at an open-air ritual area. Around a white-rimmed square fire pit, eight young men in saffron-orange robes with white-painted foreheads and rudraksha malas sit on silver-coloured mats. A seated figure in white dhoti and white shawl pours from a brass vessel, and a small flame burns in the pit. Yellow marigold garlands surround the pit, and a tray of bananas, fruit and coconuts sits nearby. A figure in purple and gold at left stands holding an offering, and a floral-decorated altar stands at right.2013-12-19Night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna fire pit lined with white marble. Several young boys in saffron-orange dhotis and wraps with pink-red borders sit around the square pit, hands folded in prayer or placing offerings. Their foreheads and arms bear white painted markings and they wear beaded necklaces. Two older men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas sit at the far side tending brass vessels, a small oil lamp and a small fire. Yellow marigold garlands lie along the pit edge, and fruit, bananas and a brass pot sit at right beside a purple cloth.2013-12-19November 19 20132013-11-19Night outdoor fire ritual. A yellow-painted square fire pit holds a burning fire with logs. Around it, young men and women in saffron-orange robes with white forehead bands and rudraksha malas sit on a white cloth, hands raised in prayer. A figure in white ritual clothes with a white head covering and beaded mala kneels at the pit's far side, hands joined overhead. To the right, a red cloth-covered table holds brass vessels, a kalasha topped with a yellow cloth, and garlands of flowers and green leaves. Several seated devotees and a standing figure are visible in the background under dim light.2013-11-19