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Night photo of a homa fire ritual at an ashram. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing orange-saffron clothing and many rudraksha malas and gold-coloured beaded necklaces, sits on an ornate silver-and-gold chair behind a sunken fire pit, with a flame burning in the pit. a person in the seat, with the saffron clothing and rudraksha cues. Around the fire, rows of seated devotees in saffron and orange robes, many with rudraksha necklaces; shaved-headed men sit on one side and women in orange saris with gold borders sit on the other. Brass vessels and offerings are arranged along the fire pit, and a light string glows in the background.

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March 10 20132013-03-10Night photograph of a homa or fire ritual at an ashram courtyard. A long-haired figure in orange robes and rudraksha malas sits on an ornate silver-backed throne above a brick fire pit with a bright flame. Around them, rows of orange- and saffron-clad sannyasis, many shaved-headed and wearing beaded malas, sit cross-legged on the ground, and women in orange and gold-bordered saris and red blouses sit with garlands. Brass vessels and offering plates line the ritual area, and a few people stand in the background under the courtyard lights. Three women with dark hair are seen from behind in the foreground.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A homa is performed beside a square fire pit with visible flames. Saffron-robed men with shaved heads and rudraksha malas sit in rows on the left, clapping or holding ritual items. On the right, a man with long dark hair, a gold-and-beaded garland and an orange robe sits on a raised platform with ritual vessels and brass plates before him. Women in orange and red saris with garlands sit in the foreground facing the fire, their long hair in braids. Offering plates with flowers and kumkum rest on the platform, and a mirror stands in the background. The gathering looks like a fire ritual with about 40 people visible.2013-03-10A nighttime homa or yagna in an open outdoor courtyard. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing an orange-saffron robe, layered rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and ornate gold-toned garlands, sits cross-legged on a low wooden seat with a white cushioned backrest, hands joined in namaskar (Swamiji (probable)). Before him a rectangular fire pit blazes with flames. Around the pit, rows of seated devotees in saffron and orange robes, many with shaved heads, sit with palms pressed together in prayer. Women in orange and maroon saris with gold borders and beaded necklaces sit among them. Brass vessels and oil lamps rest on the pit's edge, a fan stands behind, and coloured lights hang in the background. Several people in the foreground are seen from behind.2013-03-10Night gathering around a sunken fire pit (homa/yagna) with smoke rising from it. A person in saffron-orange robes and a long rudraksha-style mala sits cross-legged on an ornate carved wooden seat, raising a hand in blessing. Around the pit, seated devotees in saffron and orange robes with hands pressed in prayer, along with women in red and gold-bordered saris and floral necklaces. Brass vessels, kalasha-style pots, and offerings sit at the edge of the pit. A standing fan and a crowd of white-clad people fill the background, with festive lights in the upper right.2013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10March 10 20132013-03-10A photograph of a fire ritual at night. A central figure with long dark hair sits cross-legged on a raised golden throne draped with a leopard-print cloth, wearing an orange robe and layered garlands of gold-yellow beads, holding a small object in one hand. Before him a square homa fire pit burns with flames and stacked logs, with brass vessels and offering trays around it. Around the fire, shaved-headed men in orange robes and rudraksha malas sit in rows, several with hands raised in mudra or holding ritual items. Women in orange and red saris with gold borders and beaded necklaces sit or stand behind them, and a woman in the foreground with her hair pinned up faces the fire. Coloured string lights glow in the background. Visible people number roughly thirty.2013-03-10