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A photo of a fire ritual (homa) in an open courtyard at night. A square fire pit with a visible flame sits at the center, surrounded by seated devotees in saffron and orange robes with gold borders and beads. A long-haired figure in orange clothing and a leopard-print cloth sits on a low seat behind the pit, holding a trident and a small kalasha-like vessel. Women in red and orange saris sit around the pit with offerings and brass plates of flowers and fruit. Standing men in orange robes with shaved heads and white forehead marks surround the group, and a large red throne with gold trim stands empty in the background. A photographer with a camera on a tripod is visible at top left.

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March 10 20132013-03-10Night ritual at an outdoor homa or fire-offering. A square fire pit with flames sits at the centre, surrounded by many devotees in orange and saffron robes with white forehead markings and rudraksha malas. Women in orange and maroon saris kneel in front, some holding offering plates and bowls, and a silver ritual tray and trishul-like ritual implements lie near the fire. Behind them, a row of shaved-headed sannyasis in orange sit in ranks. A large red and gold throne stands empty at the back, with a decorated deity murti visible at the upper right and a crowd of onlookers in white beyond. A camera operator and a bright light are visible.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10Night photograph of a homa or fire ritual at an ashram courtyard. A long-haired figure in orange robes and rudraksha malas sits on an ornate silver-backed throne above a brick fire pit with a bright flame. Around them, rows of orange- and saffron-clad sannyasis, many shaved-headed and wearing beaded malas, sit cross-legged on the ground, and women in orange and gold-bordered saris and red blouses sit with garlands. Brass vessels and offering plates line the ritual area, and a few people stand in the background under the courtyard lights. Three women with dark hair are seen from behind in the foreground.2013-03-10Night outdoor fire ritual with a square stone fire pit at centre, flames rising from it. Seated around it are rows of devotees in orange and saffron robes with gold-yellow borders and rudraksha malas, many shaved-headed monks and some women in matching orange saris. A standing figure at right in orange cloth and garlands holds a long ceremonial implement. A woman in front-centre wears a dark leopard-print cloth and a trident is laid beside the fire. Behind them a large gilded deity murti shrine and a crowd in white clothes watch. A red-and-gold throne sits empty at left.2013-03-10A night homa ceremony around a square stone fire pit with a large open flame rising from it. A seated figure on an ornate silver-and-gold chair draped with a leopard-print cushion wears orange robes, a long rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklaces, with long swept-back dark hair and a holding an open book. Around him, a large group of women in orange saris with yellow borders and rudraksha malas sit close together, some holding small brass vessels and ritual items. Shaven-headed men in orange robes and beaded malas sit at the front left, with brass pots, offerings and leaf-wrapped bundles on a white cloth beside the fire. A man in white with a camera stands at the upper left, and colourful lights glow in the background. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure in orange with long hair, rudraksha mala and gold necklaces, presiding at the homa.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A photograph of a fire ritual at night. A central figure with long dark hair sits cross-legged on a raised golden throne draped with a leopard-print cloth, wearing an orange robe and layered garlands of gold-yellow beads, holding a small object in one hand. Before him a square homa fire pit burns with flames and stacked logs, with brass vessels and offering trays around it. Around the fire, shaved-headed men in orange robes and rudraksha malas sit in rows, several with hands raised in mudra or holding ritual items. Women in orange and red saris with gold borders and beaded necklaces sit or stand behind them, and a woman in the foreground with her hair pinned up faces the fire. Coloured string lights glow in the background. Visible people number roughly thirty.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ceremony inside a hall at night. A fire burns in a square stone fire pit in the foreground. Behind it, a seated figure with long dark hair wears an orange-red garment, a long gold-bead necklace and rudraksha-style beads, seated on an ornate silver throne with a patterned cushion. Around the throne, shaved-headed priests in orange and gold-bordered dhotis and shawls with beaded necklaces stand and kneel, some holding ritual objects and a brass pot. A row of women in orange and red saris with beaded necklaces kneel on the right, one holding a long ritual staff. Brass vessels and oil lamps are arranged on the ground, and colourful string lights hang in the background. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure has long swept-back hair, a gold necklace, orange clothing and a ceremonial throne.2013-03-10A night-time homa at a Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam-style ashram: a square fire pit with a large flame sits at centre, surrounded by many seated devotees in saffron and orange robes and red blouses. Behind the fire, a seated figure in saffron with a long garland of beads sits on a raised dais beside a silver trident and a decorated peetha. Several monastics in orange with rudraksha malas kneel or sit close to the fire, holding ritual items, while a standing attendant in white appears in the background. Dense rows of onlookers fill the courtyard under a dark night sky, with an orange-painted building behind.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10