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Photo of a fire ritual (homa) on a brick-lined fire pit decorated with pink flower petals and lotus buds, with a flame burning in the centre. A man in orange robes and a gold necklace sits cross-legged with hands pressed together in prayer, and beside him a second man in orange with a rudraksha mala sits with hands near the offerings. A young assistant in white dhoti and orange shawl holds a long ritual implement over the fire. Brass plates of fruit, flowers, coconut and small bowls of grains and spices line the left foreground, with a microphone on a stand behind. Several seated devotees in white and orange are visible in the background. The man in the centre wears what appears to be a person cues: orange robes, gold necklace and a seated position of honour.

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A homa fire ritual in progress: a brick-lined fire pit with a bright flame, scattered pink flower petals and offerings such as lemons, brass bowls and a tray of grains. Three men in saffron-orange robes sit close by; the central figure, with an orange cloth and gold beaded necklace, holds his hands over the flame while the man on the left, with long dark hair and a rudraksha mala, holds a sacred item. A man in white with an orange shawl sits at right beside a microphone stand. Seated devotees in white and yellow clothing sit in the background, and a carved wooden chair stands behind the central figure.2009-06-09June 09 20092009-06-09A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night. A central figure in orange robes and a gold bead necklace sits cross-legged before a brick-lined fire pit, feeding flames with a stick while flowers and offerings lie around the pit. To the left, a man in orange with folded hands sits beside a tray of flower garlands, fruit and brass vessels. To the right, a man in white with an orange shawl watches, and a seated crowd in white and yellow clothing sits behind them.2009-06-09June 09 20092009-06-09A homa fire pit lined with yellow brick, with flames rising from burning wood and offerings of seeds and red petals, is the centre of the scene. A man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged at the fire and tends the flames with a ladle. Beside him, a man in a plain orange cloth and a purple shawl kneels and tends the fire, and a seated man in orange robes with a gold necklace and a gold garland watches. Behind them, priests in white dhotis and orange cloths attend a row of small white lamps and a brass lamp stand, and a shelf of carved deity and animal figures is visible on the right. A central figure in orange robes, with long grey hair, sits calmly with hands folded. The scene appears to be a ritual homa in progress at an outdoor setup with a colourful striped mat.2015-09-14Photograph of a homa fire ritual in progress. In the foreground a white-brick square fire pit, edged with yellow flowers, holds a fire. A man in a saffron shawl with a floral garland and a rudraksha-style necklace kneels at the pit, feeding offerings from a brass dish, with a microphone stand beside him. Behind him, several men in white dhotis and orange shawls sit on mats, some tending offerings, while plates of flowers, grains and fruit, and a brass vessel, sit on the left. A bright orange fire glows at the back of the room. The man in front has distinctive long swept-back hair and ornate adornments, but the appearance is uncertain, so he is described by role only.2007-12-25September 21 20062006-09-21 +1 copiesJune 09 20092009-06-09A homa fire ritual in progress. A brick-lined fire pit holds flaming wood and ash at the bottom centre. A man in orange cloth sits cross-legged at the front right, pouring from a small vessel into the fire. Behind the fire, a seated man in a long orange robe with a bare upper body and a wide crimson-and-gold sash, adorned with a large gold pendant and a rudraksha-style necklace, sits with hands together. Beside him a man in a purple cloth and ochre dhoti is seated, and further back a man in white stands. On the right, brass lamps, a metal pot and rows of small white packets are arranged on shelves. Woven striped mats in red, green and blue cover the floor.2015-09-14A photograph of a homa fire ritual in a hall. A central fire pit is built of white bricks with yellow marigold petals scattered around its edge. Behind it, a bright fire burns. A figure seated at the centre wears an orange robe, a white and orange garland and a red forehead mark, holding a small ceremonial object over the pit while speaking into a handheld microphone. Around them, about a dozen seated men wear orange shawls over white kurtas, and several sit on mats. Trays of fruit, flowers, coconut, bowls and wood sticks lie on the floor. A peacock-feather fan stands on the right, and a white-clothed table is at the back left.2007-12-25A seated man in saffron robes and a long gold-beaded necklace holds a flaming oil lamp near his face during a ritual, with a brass bowl, flowers and a small brass kalasha-like vessel before him on brick and floor. A saffron-robed woman with palms pressed together sits to his left, and a man in white with an orange shawl sits at the right beside a microphone stand. Behind them a seated audience in orange and white clothing watches. The scene suggests a ritual aarti setting.2009-06-09A homa fire pit lined with orange-painted bricks burns at the centre of a ritual tent with red and multicoloured striped mats. A seated figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe with a horizontal white forehead mark and rudraksha-style beads holds a steel plate of grains, facing the fire. To the left, a man in rust-brown dhoti and a gold-coloured neck ornament holds a basket of sticks. To the right, a bare-chested man in a purple shawl and a mala sits near offerings. Behind, priests in white dhotis with gold-yellow borders and orange garments stand near brass lamps and stacked white offerings. Each cited figure's role is that of a participant in the homa.2015-09-14