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Night ritual fire ceremony at an outdoor ashram courtyard. A man in saffron-orange robes with a matching orange head covering and a gold bead necklace sits at the right, holding a ritual implement over a flame in a brass lamp, with a yellow shawl beside him. A rectangular white-tiled fire pit with a dark interior sits in the foreground, surrounded by brass vessels of flowers, bowls of offerings and yellow marigolds. Behind, a large crowd of devotees in white clothes sits in rows on the ground, hands pressed together in prayer, many with small red-lit oil lamps before them. A decorated golden-yellow altar or chariot with deity images stands at the upper left, and smoke drifts through the scene.

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December 30 20092009-12-30December 30 20092009-12-30A night ritual fire ceremony at an open-air ashram courtyard, with smoke rising. A man in saffron-orange robes and a gold necklace, seated at right, holds up a brass plate of burning camphor flame toward a square homa fire pit lined with flower garlands and filled with brass vessels. Rows of seated devotees in white dhotis and white saris sit with palms pressed together, many beside red-and-white tiled oil lamps. A decorated yellow vehicle with a painted deity image stands behind the crowd, with framed pictures on its side and a stone-tiled ground underfoot. About 60 people are visible, many in white.2009-12-30Night-time homa or yagna in an open courtyard with a square fire pit lined in white stone and marked with yellow marigold garlands and flower-decorated kalashas. A man in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala and a gold pendant sits at the front, holding a bell and ritual items, and appears to lead the ceremony. Around him, rows of devotees in white clothes sit on the ground with small red mats and lit oil lamps before them. Brass bowls of offerings, sweets and coins are arranged near the pit. Behind them stand a decorated shrine with colourful pictures and a yellow-draped structure, and a whitewashed building. Several people in white stand at the side. The a person candidate in orange has distinctive ceremonial cues but the identification remains uncertain.2009-12-30Night photograph of an outdoor ritual at an ashram. A man in an orange-saffron robe with a gold necklace and an orange head covering sits at the front right, holding a ladle over a square fire pit filled with offerings, with a microphone stand beside him. Behind him, a white-clad assistant wears a yellow cloth. Rows of seated devotees in white clothes face the fire, many holding small brass vessels, and red floor mats are lit by many small oil lamps. A decorated shrine with garlands and lights stands at the left, and a whitewashed building sits in the background. Visible people number roughly several dozen.2009-12-30Evening ritual at an open courtyard with many seated devotees in white clothes, many holding small lit oil lamps in red trays. In the foreground a square fire pit lined with white and gold surround holds flowers and offerings, with brass pots and bowls beside it. A man in orange robes, a rudraksha mala and a gold necklace sits at a microphone and gestures while speaking, possibly a homa or satsang. Yellow and orange marigold garlands decorate the offerings, and a yellow banner hangs on the right.2009-12-30December 30 20092009-12-30Night outdoor ritual at an ashram courtyard. A seated figure in saffron/orange robes and a long gold-beaded necklace speaks into a microphone and leads the rite beside a square stone fire pit with dark interior, surrounded by flower-decorated brass pots and offerings. Behind the pit, many devotees in white dhotis and saris sit in rows, with small red-based lamps burning with flames in the foreground. Yellow marigold garlands adorn the brass vessels, and a small shrine structure with decorations stands at the left. A yagna/homa-style fire ritual is visibly supported by the central pit and lamps.2009-12-30December 30 20092009-12-30A photograph of a large seated congregation at an evening ritual, with many people in white clothes sitting cross-legged on the floor before rows of small oil lamps. In the foreground a fire pit or homa area is decorated with marigold garlands, brass bowls and kalasha-style vessels in woven baskets. On the right a shaved-headed man in orange robes and a gold-beaded rudraksha necklace sits in front of a lit oil lamp and a microphone stand, while a man in a yellow shawl and white clothes sits beside him. Smoke hangs in the dim hall and a cloth-covered table holds offerings.2009-12-30December 30 20092009-12-30December 30 20092009-12-30