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Outdoor night homa at a brick fire pit bordered with yellow flowers and white ash-like marks. A man in saffron-orange robes with a gold necklace and white tripundra forehead marks kneels at the pit, stirring it with a long wooden ladle; flames rise from the pit. Behind him, a brass oil lamp with a tall stem burns, and a kalasha decorated with flowers and mango leaves sits nearby, alongside banana leaves and a brass vessel. Seated on white plastic chairs on a green mat, about a dozen women and men wear red-brown, orange and cream clothes, some with rudraksha malas. The homa area is in the foreground, with the audience behind it.

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Outdoors at night, a bald man in saffron-orange robes with a gold-toned necklace stands at a square brick fire pit with a bright flame, pouring or offering from a bowl held in both hands. Behind him, a seated group of devotees in white, orange, and yellow clothing sits on white plastic chairs on green matting, several with hands folded in prayer. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands, banana leaves, and coloured rangoli designs surround the pit. A white-clad priest kneels at left beside brass vessels, appearing to assist the homa or yagna ritual.2010-12-16Outdoor night ritual at a brick-lined fire pit (homa/yagna) on a green mat. A bald man in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a sacred thread and sandalwood tilak on his forehead, stands holding a brass oil lamp (aarti) over the flames. A second bald priest in white clothes sits to the left beside offerings, a kalasha and banana leaves. Around 25 seated devotees in white, yellow and orange clothes sit on white plastic chairs facing the fire, some with hands folded in prayer. Rangoli floor designs and a tripod camera appear at the edges.2010-12-16December 16 20102010-12-16A photograph of a homa/yagna at night: a bald man in orange robes and rudraksha mala sits cross-legged behind a square brick fire pit ringed with yellow flowers, his face pressed into his hands. A brass vessel with a ladle lies on the bricks, and an oil lamp sits at the left edge. Behind him, seated devotees in white and orange shawls watch, including a woman in white with a red-bordered shawl, a woman in white holding a child, an elderly woman in a patterned orange shawl, and a man in orange seated on a white chair. A green mat covers the ground and a white chair stands at right.2010-12-16Night-time homa at an outdoor fire pit lined with red brick and strewn with yellow flower petals. A bald man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a shaved head, tripundra markings and a beaded necklace, stands bent forward holding a brass bowl at the edge of the flames. Beside him a seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a shaved head and sandalwood markings, sits on a mat with a brass vessel and banana leaves. A tall brass oil lamp stands by the fire. Behind them about twenty seated devotees sit on white chairs and mats in orange, maroon, yellow and white garments, some with hands in anjali, and a tripod-mounted camera stands at left.2010-12-16Night outdoor homa at a brick-lined fire pit with a bright flame, decorated with yellow flowers and rangoli. A bald man in an orange saffron robe with a gold border, a crystal-bead necklace, and gold armlet stands at the pit tipping an offering into the fire from a plate. Beside him a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a sacred thread sits on a mat with ritual items and a bell. Behind, seated devotees on white plastic chairs and on the grass watch, including women in saffron, yellow, cream and sari-style dress, some with hands folded in prayer. Banana leaves, fruit and a brass oil lamp sit on the ground in front.2010-12-16December 16 20102010-12-16December 30 20072007-12-30A shaved-headed man in an orange saffron dhoti and shawl with gold trim sits cross-legged on a green mat, holding a silver lamp with a bright open flame in his right hand and a silver handbell in his left. A long beaded necklace hangs on his chest and he has white sacred ash markings on his forehead and arms. Before him on the ground are brick-like blocks garlanded with yellow flowers, fruit, a silver plate of offerings and a kolam pattern. Seated behind him in white clothes, devotees sit on white chairs with hands folded in prayer, indicating a puja ritual. a person cues: saffron clothing with gold trim, beaded ceremonial necklace and a central ritual role, with the man performing the aarti.2010-12-16A homa fire ritual in progress on a white-brick fire pit with a bright flame, scattered marigold petals, a brass ladle, a bell, a small silver cup and a brass vessel. A priest in orange-saffron robes with a red border, wearing a gold necklace and bangles, sits at the right holding an offering spoon over the fire. Behind him a large group of seated people in white clothes and white shawls, several women in orange, look on with palms pressed together in prayer. The setting is a plain interior with pale walls.2007-08-26A photograph of a homa fire ceremony in an outdoor pavilion. A brick fire pit holds a bright flame surrounded by marigolds, pink flowers and palm leaves, with a coconut in a brass bowl at the front. A priest in orange robes sits at right, pouring from a ladle over a tray of sticks, fruit and small brass lamps. Behind the fire, several women in white saris and rudraksha beads sit on a striped mat, with more seated devotees in white clothes further back. Brightly coloured rangoli designs decorate the floor. No a person candidate is visibly identifiable.December 16 20102010-12-16