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A night homa at an outdoor ritual site. A man in white dhoti and a cream turban sits cross-legged behind a yellow-painted square fire pit where a fire burns. Around him, young boys in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead markings sit on mats, several holding ritual items and gesturing. To the right, a red-draped altar holds yellow kalasha-style pots with garlands and purple cloth, plus brass vessels. Copper and brass bowls are scattered on the ground. A man in a white shirt sits at the far left edge. The scene is a homa or yagna.

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Night 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.2013-11-19Night outdoor fire ritual at a square yellow-painted homa pit. A young man in white dhoti and white turban sits at the pit's edge with a rudraksha mala and white forehead marks, raising a hand. Around him, a line of young boys in saffron-orange cloth with rudraksha malas, white tilaka and bare upper bodies sit cross-legged, some with hands raised or clasped. A red cloth-covered altar on the right holds decorated kalasha pots with yellow flowers and green leaves. A kolam floor pattern in red lines borders the pit. Background shows a few adult men in white and red, and a red-cloth table.2013-11-19A night homa in progress: a square yellow fire pit with a flame burning among logs sits at the centre of a floor. Around it kneel about a dozen young boys in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings, rudraksha malas and wrist bands, several with palms pressed together in prayer. In the centre, a bald-headed man in white ritual clothes with a white turban and rudraksha mala sits behind the fire, hands folded before his face. At right, a red-draped altar holds brass kalashas topped with coconuts, green leaves, flowers and purple cloth. A brass plate and vessels sit on the floor near the fire. A man in a white shirt and a woman in white sit at the altar's far side, and a few adults are seen in the background.2013-11-19Night ceremony outdoors around a yellow-painted square fire pit (homa kunda) with a grey interior. Seated at the centre in white dhoti with a yellow-cloth turban and a rudraksha mala, a man raises his hand to his forehead beside the pit. Around him, young men in saffron robes with red sashes and rudraksha malas sit in a row, several with raised arms and white forehead markings, appearing to perform a ritual gesture. To the right, a red-draped table holds kalasha pots with green leaves and yellow cloth, plus brass vessels and offerings. A few onlookers in white shirts sit at the left edge. The people are not physically identifiable as a person from appearance cues, so no candidate is marked.2013-11-19Photograph 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.2013-11-19November 19 20132013-11-19November 19 20132013-11-19November 19 20132013-11-19Night 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.2013-11-19A 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.2013-11-20November 19 20132013-11-19November 19 20132013-11-19