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A homa fire burns in a raised wooden fire pit under a open-sided pavilion. A young man in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a red turban, rudraksha mala and wristband, sits cross-legged with palms joined in prayer beside the fire. Silver vessels, a kalasha-like pot, brass cups, small oil lamps and yellow flower offerings are arranged on a woven mat. Several young women in red and orange sarees with white jasmine garlands sit in a row on the left. Behind the fire, other men in white dhoti stand with hands folded, and a vehicle is parked beyond the red wall.

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Outdoor ritual scene at a sacred fire pit with a burning flame in a raised stone or brick yagna vessel. A priest in a pink turban, white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha beads and red arm bands, sits on a low platform ringing a small bell and tending brass vessels and a kalasha. Three young women in saris, coral and green, wearing white flower garlands and hands folded in namaskar, sit before him. Yellow marigold petals lie on the floor, and a brass oil lamp stands in front. A cameraman films in the background, and a palm-leaf canopy with a deity murti is visible behind. Homa ritual.2014-10-03October 03 20142014-10-03A homa fire burns in a wooden-framed brick fire pit outdoors beside a temple-style structure with carved stone and painted deity figures, garlands of yellow and white flowers, and a lion and cobra carving. A man in a white dhoti with a saffron-coloured waist sash and a red-and-pink head cloth bends forward over the fire, placing offerings near the flames, with a rudraksha mala hanging from his neck. Five girls in red, green and orange saris and salwar kameez sit in a row on the platform, each wearing white jasmine garlands and holding small yellow cloth bags. Brass bowls with flower petals and small oil lamps sit on the floor. Whether the officiant is a person could not be confirmed from appearance.2014-10-03October 03 20142014-10-03A photograph of a homa fire ritual at an outdoor temple-style courtyard. A large square golden-yellow fire pit holds a bright flame, with white petal or powder offerings dotted around its rim. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold borders stands at the left, bending forward and offering items toward the fire. Another man in a white dhoti kneels at the far left, and a man in reddish-brown dhoti stands behind with hands folded. Five young girls in red and gold sarees with white flower garlands sit in a row behind the fire pit. A silver kalasha or vessel sits on the left edge, and a colourful deity shrine with yellow marigold garlands and carved lions is visible at the top right. Banana plants and a flagpole appear in the background.2014-10-03Outdoor homa ritual under a corrugated tin canopy at dusk. A large square yellow-tiled fire pit burns with a bright flame at the centre foreground. A man seated on an orange throne-like chair at left wears an orange-and-maroon robe with a long white garland and bare feet; he is seated with hands resting on his knees. Near him, two young men stand in white dhotis, one in maroon with hands folded in namaste. A white-clad priest kneels beside the fire pit with a pink turban, and eight young girls in colourful silk dresses, gold ornaments and flower garlands sit in a row on the right, many with hands folded in anjali mudra or holding brass ritual implements. Behind them stands a decorated deity murti garlanded with yellow and orange flowers beside a kalasha-style altar. Bunting strings and banana plants decorate the open courtyard.2014-10-03A photograph of an outdoor ritual homa at an ashram. A large blazing fire burns in a brick-and-wood fire pit on the left. A man in white dhoti kneels at a raised red-cloth platform, tending brass pots, bowls and offerings beside the fire. Seated before him are several young girls in saffron, green and cream clothes with white and orange flower garlands in their hair. Behind them, dozens of boys and young men in saffron robes and rudraksha beads sit on mats with garlands. A man in a rust-red shawl and flower garland sits on an orange armchair on a raised platform at the back, with a video camera on a tripod at the right. Red pillars and green trees frame the open pavilion.2014-10-03Outdoor ritual homa at an ashram courtyard. A large square wooden fire pit with a tall flame sits in the foreground, with a brass kalasha and a small oil lamp nearby. A man in white dhoti and a red turban kneels beside the fire, pouring offerings. Behind him, several young girls in orange and red saris with white jasmine garlands kneel and watch. On the left, a seated figure in saffron-orange robes and a long white and red garland rests in an orange armchair on a striped mat; the figure's appearance is not distinctive enough to confirm identity. Other robed attendants in saffron and white stand nearby, and a flower-filled plate lies on the mat.2014-10-03A homa fire ritual in front of a decorated Ganesha deity murti under a canopy, with a garland of marigolds and orange flowers. A priest in white dhoti and a pale yellow turban pours an offering from a steel plate into a stone fire pit with a burning flame. Around the pit, a young person in white and several devotees in saffron-orange robes sit on a striped mat, some with white and red markings on their faces and arms. A brass kalasha and offering trays rest on a red-draped platform below the deity. Red-and-white striped steps lead up to the shrine.2013-09-09A homa fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit under an open roofed pavilion with a corrugated metal roof, surrounded by palm trees. Strings of colourful hanging decorations line the structure. In the foreground, a priest with a rudraksha mala and pink-and-white cloth sits cross-legged beside the fire, holding a ritual vessel. Brass bowls, flower petals and small offerings lie around the pit. To the right, a man in an orange shawl and white dhoti sits with a rudraksha mala, and a sannyasi in white stands nearby. Several other men in white dhotis stand and sit in the background, with a red building behind them.2016-11-23October 03 20142014-10-03A photograph of a homa fire ceremony in an outdoor courtyard. A large square wooden fire pit with a bright orange flame stands in the foreground. Six girls in traditional South Indian dress sit in a row behind it, wearing jasmine and marigold garlands; their saris and blouses are red, green, orange and peach. A man in white ritual clothes with a red turban sits cross-legged at the left, hands folded before him. Brass oil lamps, a trident-shaped brass object and yellow flower offerings sit on the mat and beside the fire pit. Green plants and a red wall form the background, with a carved lion figure at the right edge.2014-10-03