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Photograph of a homa at a fire pit, with a long-haired figure in saffron-orange robes and gold necklaces seated on a leopard-print cushion at left, reading from an open booklet. Around the square fire pit, rows of women and girls in orange and saffron saris with gold borders, rudraksha malas and vibhuti or kumkum on their foreheads sit with hands joined or holding ritual items. Brass vessels, oil lamps and small plates of offerings lie on a white ledge beside the flames. Men in white and devotees stand in the background under a patterned ceiling.

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A night homa at a square fire pit with flames and burning wood at the centre of the frame. A figure with long swept-back hair, wearing saffron clothing, ornate gold-and-beaded necklaces and rudraksha malas, sits cross-legged on a raised ornate silver seat and reads from a small book; the figure's appearance has several cues, so this is a probable Swamiji. Around the fire, shaved-headed priests in orange shawls and women in orange and red saris with gold borders sit in rows and hold ritual items; a row of women in saffron-orange saris stands behind with hands folded, under multicoloured string lights. Offerings and brass vessels line the fire pit's edge. Several dozen people are visible in the background.2013-03-10A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A man with long, swept-back dark hair, wearing an orange robe, a gold necklace and a rudraksha mala, sits on an ornate chair with a leopard-print cushion and holds an open book. In front of him a large square fire pit blazes, with metal bowls of yellow and red powders, leaves, and ritual implements arranged on the stone ledge. Around the fire sit about a dozen women in orange and red saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces, some holding offerings. Their presence suggests a fire ceremony led by a person in saffron, seated in a place of honour. Other devotees sit in the foreground.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10Night-time photograph of a fire ritual (homa) in an open courtyard. A central sacred fire burns in a square brick fire pit with wooden sticks, surrounded by brass vessels and offerings. A seated figure with long dark hair wears orange-saffron robes and a rudraksha mala, seated on an ornate cushioned low seat or peetha with a silver-framed backrest, holding a small object in the hands. Around the fire, rows of shaven-headed men in saffron robes and beaded malas sit with hands in anjali, and women in orange saris with yellow borders and beaded necklaces sit in rows, some with palms joined. A devotee in white shirt and a standing figure with folded hands appear in the background, and a standing fan is visible at left. Dark green-black night backdrop with a red building behind.2013-03-10A night outdoor homa at a KAILASA ashram during a satsang. A central figure seated on a silver-backed wooden throne with gold legs wears saffron robes, a long rudraksha-style mala and gold necklaces, with long swept-back hair. Before a square fire pit with burning wood, seated disciples in orange and saffron robes with gold borders, many with shaved heads and malas, sit in rows and hold offerings; women in red-and-gold saris and malas sit nearby. A woman in an orange sari stands at the upper right, and string lights hang overhead. Brass vessels, a plate of offerings and sticks of wood lie around the fire pit.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A homa fire ritual in an ashram hall. A long-haired figure in orange-saffron cloth sits on a leopard-print mat at the left, gesturing with raised hands and a rudraksha mala, with a gold necklace and bangles visible. Beside them, dozens of women in red and orange saris with yellow borders and rudraksha malas sit in rows, some holding offerings. In front, a square fire pit blazes with a flame, flanked by a brass kalasha, small lamps and plates of offerings on a white ritual cloth. Men in white stand in the background, and colourful lights glow at the top right. Physical people visible: well over twenty.2013-03-10