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Outdoor night ritual at a temple-like courtyard under strings of lights. A yellow-gold square fire pit holds a lit homa fire, with oil lamps and bowls of rice and flowers arranged nearby on a striped woven mat. Several priests in saffron-orange cloth and white dhotis stand and sit around it, some with bare chests and tilak markings, some with orange turbans. Seated on a gold-bordered throne at right, a man in a red-maroon robe and rudraksha mala receives attention from a bare-chested attendant in a white dhoti. A tray of red flowers and a garland sit in the foreground. Many people are visible in the background.

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Night-time outdoor homa at an ashram. A fire burns in a square yellow-draped fire pit at centre, surrounded by brass vessels, flower baskets and red rose petals on striped mats. A central figure sits on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion, wearing a red-brown cloth, a beaded rudraksha mala and a gold necklace. Around him, several men in saffron-orange cloths with white forehead markings and bare upper bodies attend the ritual; one in white dhoti with a shaved head stands near a white-draped pedestal. A man in a cream dhoti with gold border stands at right. Strings of lights hang overhead. About ten people visible, with more devotees seated at the edges.2017-04-16April 16 20172017-04-16Night outdoor ritual at an ashram courtyard with a fire pit homa. In the centre, a bearded man in a red-brown robe with a rudraksha mala and ornate gold necklace sits on a large gold throne with a red cushion, appearing to be a probable Swamiji (appearance cues: long hair, ornate gold jewellery, rudraksha, distinctive throne attendance). Priests in saffron-orange dhotis with white-marked foreheads and bare upper bodies tend a square fire pit with a lit flame, offering bowls and a tray of red flowers nearby. Devotees in white and orange stand around; a woman in a red sari and a garlanded deity murti sit on a striped cloth rug. Strings of lights and a canopy frame the scene.2017-04-16Night-time homa at an outdoor ritual space under strings of coloured lights. A priest in orange with an orange turban and white body markings sits before a fire pit lined with yellow cloth, pouring offerings into the flames. Around him, several men in orange or white dhotis stand and sit, handling brass vessels, a tray of red flower petals and a plate of white grains. On a raised gold throne with a red cushion, a seated figure in a maroon robe and rudraksha mala receives the ritual. A standing attendant in white dhoti and bare chest with a long garland stands at the right beside a floral-decorated altar. Colourful striped mats cover the ground.2017-04-16A night-time homa at a pavilion with a striped multicolour cloth floor and white canopy. In the foreground a tiered wooden fire altar with a bright flame is ringed by white rangoli lines and pink flower petals, with a silver bowl and marigold garlands at its edges. A priest in orange robes stands at right, holding a flame-related ritual implement over the fire, with a bare-chested assistant nearby. Behind, a line of seated and standing devotees in saffron and orange clothes watch. At left a figure in a red-cushioned golden throne wears orange robes, a gold necklace and a mala, beside a pedestal fan. At right stands a gilded shrine with deity murtis draped in flower garlands, under a glowing light.2017-08-02 +1 copiesA night-time homa in a covered outdoor pavilion with a white tarpaulin canopy and a golden ornate chhatri above. A large wooden fire pit with flames rises at centre, rimmed with pink flower petals and white rangoli lines. A priest in orange and white stands at the fire pit with hands raised, and a bare-chested attendant in white dhoti with gold chain kneels at the right edge beside brass vessels. On the left, a seated man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits on a gold-and-red throne, with a row of orange-robed sannyasis seated on striped mats in front. Behind, a stone shrine holds deity murtis decorated with garlands, and string lights hang overhead. Flower offerings and a silver plate lie on the mat.2017-08-02A night homa or yagna in an open-sided pavilion under a white tent with coloured string lights. A square tiered fire pit burns with bright flames, decorated with white kolam lines and scattered pink petals. A priest in orange and white dhoti stands at the fire, hands raised near his forehead. Seated on a golden throne at left, a man with long hair, a red-brown robe and a gold necklace watches, with a golden canopy above him; this is an appearance-based candidate for Swamiji (probable) because of his long hair, ornate gold necklace and throne seat. Rows of seated people in orange and saffron robes sit on striped mats. At right a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala tends to offerings. Behind, an altar shows deity murti under an arch with a red backdrop and garlands.2017-08-02August 02 20172017-08-02A night-time homa at an outdoor ritual pavilion. A large yellow-painted square fire pit with a bright flame sits in the foreground, decorated with white and purple floral markings and scattered flower petals. Behind it, a priest in an orange-red turban and orange cloth, wearing a rudraksha mala, sits cross-legged and feeds offerings into the fire from a bowl. Beside him, another ritual assistant in an orange turban and orange cloth tends the fire. Standing men in white dhotis with gold borders, some bare-chested and some wearing shawls, stand in the background. Brass lamps, a tray of flower petals, a covered brass vessel and small offering plates sit on a striped mat, along with a silver puja tray holding pink flowers and lit wicks. Gold decorative arches stand behind the group.2017-09-17Night-time homa at an open-air ritual space under a corrugated roof and string lights. A large flame rises from a square fire pit in the centre, surrounded by many small plates of grains, herbs and offerings laid on striped mats. A seated figure in a red-brown robe with a flower garland sits on an ornate gold throne with red cushions, a trident and a canopy overhead. Nearby, bare-chested young men in white dhotis perform the ritual; one kneels in front holding up a hand, another stands behind with a decorated kalasha or altar of flowers. A devotee in a white dhoti stands at the left edge.2017-03-16 +1 copiesMarch 06 20162016-03-06 +1 copiesSeptember 17 20172017-09-17 +1 copies