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Night ritual at an outdoor fire pit lined with white stone, where a central seated figure in a white dhoti and shawl with gold border and a dark rudraksha mala performs the ritual while two seated priests in saffron-orange robes with white forehead and body markings assist. Yellow marigold garlands lie along the pit edge, a small oil lamp and incense sticks sit nearby, and brass bowls hold red flower petals and offerings. A microphone stands at left and a gold-decorated structure is visible in the upper background.

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Night ritual homa at an outdoor fire pit with a brick-lined square pit and burning flames in the foreground. Three young men sit on a mat: the central one wears white dhoti and shawl with a gold border, rudraksha malas and red-and-gold armbands, with white tripundra markings, and performs a ritual gesture over the pit; the two flanking men wear saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and white forehead and arm markings. Brass bowls, a small oil lamp, a brass bell, bundles of sticks, yellow marigold garlands and red flower petals surround them. No a person candidate is identifiable by the cues required.2013-12-21December 21 20132013-12-21December 21 20132013-12-21December 21 20132013-12-21Photograph taken at night of a ritual setting. In the foreground, a young shaved-headed sannyasi in saffron-orange cloth with white body markings and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged, looking toward the camera. Behind him, another person in orange robes with a microphone reads from a yellow book. To the right, a figure in white cloth and a rudraksha mala sits beside a sunken stone pit with a wooden ladle, while a golden shrine arch with tassels and a deity murti stand in the background. Yellow marigold garlands line the stone steps, and a basket of red flowers sits in the lower foreground.2013-12-21Night outdoor ritual scene beside a black stone homa pit lined with white stone steps and strung with yellow marigold garlands. Three shaved-headed men sit on mats: two in saffron-orange robes with white body markings and rudraksha malas, and one in white dhoti and shawl with a tilak and rudraksha beads, holding a long ceremonial stick. A microphone stands among them, and a small brass vessel and oil lamp sit on the steps. Behind them a gilded ornamental palanquin with tasselled canopy and a gold-framed throne stand in the dark.2013-12-21A night homa in progress beside a square brick fire pit with a small flame and burning kindling, strewn with red flower petals and bordered by marigold garlands. Three men sit on an orange cloth: a central figure in white dhoti and shawl with white forehead markings, a rudraksha mala and a gold-edged cloth, stirring the fire with a ladle-like tool; to his right a younger man in orange robes and rudraksha mala holds a brass vessel; to the left a man in orange robes with white markings sits behind a microphone stand. Brass bowls, a kalasha, offering plates of petals and a small flower-decorated pot surround them.2013-12-21Night outdoor homa ritual beside a brick-lined fire pit with a visible flame at its base. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha mala, sacred marks and a gold-bordered cloth, holds a lit camphor aarti lamp and a small bell. Two young men in saffron-orange robes sit on a mat: the one on the left sings into a microphone on a stand, and the one on the right sits with palms joined in prayer, also wearing rudraksha malas and white markings. Brass bowls hold flower petals and offerings, marigold garlands lie on the stone edge, and dried herb bundles sit at right.2013-12-21Night outdoor homa at a brick fire pit with a bright flame. A young priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold border stands with palms joined, wearing a white forehead band and rudraksha mala. Two saffron-robed young men sit and stand beside him; one seated left holds a microphone, another seated right holds a brass plate with offerings, and a standing attendant in saffron holds a woven basket. Yellow marigold garlands lie around the pit, with brass vessels and scattered flower petals on an orange cloth. A gold-decorated throne and a hanging tassel canopy appear in the background.2013-12-21December 21 20132013-12-21Three priests sit cross-legged beside a stone homa fire pit decorated with a yellow marigold garland. The priest on the left in orange robes with white forehead and arm markings reads from a small yellow book at a microphone stand. The central priest wears a white dhoti and shawl with a gold border, rudraksha mala and red arm bands, and sits with folded hands looking to the side. The priest on the right in orange robes and a rudraksha mala reads from a small book. A brass bowl of red flowers and a brass vessel sit on the steps, and a gilded temple shrine is visible in the background. No a person candidate is clearly present.2013-12-21December 21 20132013-12-21