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Night-time homa at a yellow-edged fire pit, with smoke rising over a tiered yellow and white platform holding a bundle of dried sticks and ash. A man in white dhoti and white shawl, wearing a white turban with a feather ornament and rudraksha mala, sits at the right performing the ritual beside a lit oil lamp and a metal bowl. Around the fire, young people in saffron-orange robes with white forehead markings sit in a row; several have hands folded in prayer and one holds a mala. A bundle of sticks sits on a leaf plate on the left, and marigold garlands decorate a deity murti on the right.

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A night-time homa at a square fire pit lined with yellow-painted edges and scattered pink flowers. A young priest in white dhoti and a cream turban pours an offering from a small vessel into the flames while holding a small book. Around the pit, five young boys in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged, their foreheads marked with white tilaka and wearing rudraksha malas. One boy holds a brass bowl and another reads from the book. Burning incense sticks and a metal bowl sit at the edge.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.2013-11-19A 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 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.2013-11-19Night 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.2013-11-19A 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.2013-11-19Five young initiates in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged before a homa fire pit, with white tilak stripes on their foreheads. The central boy holds a brass ladle and a bowl of yellow liquid over the flames. Behind them, devotees in white clothes sit on the floor, some with hands folded. Brass bowls of red, yellow and white powders, kumkum and vibhuti, plus flowers and a small brass lamp, are arranged on the ritual mat in front. The setting is a dim hall with green leaves in the foreground.2013-11-19A night homa at a fire pit covered in yellow cloth and scattered pink flowers. Around the pit, about seven young sannyasis in saffron-orange robes sit with white tilaka and forehead markings, many wearing rudraksha malas and wrist bands. A young priest on the right wears white clothes, a white headband, a rudraksha mala and a bare upper body, pouring offerings into the flames. Smoke rises behind the group, and a copper vessel and brass items sit near the fire.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 20132013-11-19April 26 20132013-04-26Night 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.2013-11-19