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A photograph of an outdoor homa on riverside ghat steps in the evening. A priest in orange-red robes and an orange turban sits at left beside a small fire pit of stacked yellow bricks with flames, a pan of offering, and bundled sticks. Behind them a decorated deity murti and kalasha-like pots with flower garlands stand on a draped table. Devotees in white kurtas and red shawls sit on the steps, one with palms pressed together in prayer. A drum and brass vessels lie on the ground in front. Other people in orange and red robes stand in the background.

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Outdoor riverside ritual on stone ghat steps at dusk. A priest in saffron-red dhoti with a red headwrap kneels at left beside a yellow-brown fire pit of stacked bricks with a flame, tending it and gesturing over a brass plate of offerings. Behind him a decorated altar table holds a deity murti garlanded with white and red flowers, with brass kalasha pots and oil lamps. Around the fire are brass bowls, a small hand drum and bundled sticks. Seated on the steps in white kurtas and dhotis are devotees wearing red shawls, some in western clothing, watching the rite. A saffron-clad woman stands in the background, and a yellow umbrella and tall white poles stand behind the scene.2014-03-18Outdoor riverside ritual on a stone ghat in Haridwar. On the left, a shaved-headed priest in an orange turban and orange-brown robe sits cross-legged with palms pressed together, his body marked with white paint. Before him stands a draped orange-cloth table holding two large decorated pots with garlands and green-and-red ornaments, and a homa-style arrangement of yellow bricks with brass vessels, a bowl of milk-like liquid and a ladle. Behind, a seated group in white clothes and orange or red shawls sits on the steps, several with hands in anjali. A man with white hair and a red shawl sits near the front, and a woman and a younger man in white beside him pray with folded hands. Two standing figures on the right hold tall trident-topped staffs. A video camera on a tripod and a speaker are visible on the left. A boat sits on the river behind.2014-03-18March 18 20142014-03-18March 18 20142014-03-18Outdoor riverside ghat ceremony with a large seated group on stone steps. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in saffron robe and rudraksha mala sits facing a brass puja setup with a bowl, a conch-shaped vessel, a small drum and flower petals, set on yellow-brick steps. To the left, decorated deity murtis with garlands stand on a draped golden table. Behind, several men and women in white kurtas and red-orange shawls sit on the steps, many with hands folded, while a figure in saffron and rudraksha stands near a yellow parasol and trishul staffs. A bald man in white and a grey-haired man in a red shawl sit at the right, and a man in a beige jacket is at far right. Red cloth bags sit on the steps, and the sky is pale above terraced buildings.2014-03-18Outdoor fire ritual on red sandstone steps beside a river, with a sacred fire burning in a central pit. Several people in saffron-orange robes sit on orange cloths facing the fire; one woman in orange leads the ritual near a microphone stand, and others in white or orange assist. Brass kalasha pots and metal vessels, offering plates with flowers and fruit, and a small brass lamp stand sit in front. Around them a large seated crowd in white, orange, red and blue clothing fills the steps, many holding offering bowls, while a crowd of onlookers stands on the rocky embankment above. A figure in orange stands at left on the slope. The scene reads as a homa with devotees gathered for the fire offering.2008-06-28Evening outdoor ritual on riverside steps at dusk, with a fire burning at right. A seated figure on a silver-covered raised seat at left wears a deep red garment and rudraksha-style beads, with a crown-like head covering; the image is too small and dim for a confident identification, so the figure is treated as an uncertain candidate. A row of devotees in white kurtas and red shawls sits on the steps, some with hands folded in prayer. At right a priest in red tends the homa fire beside a brown-draped table holding kalasha pots, brass vessels and garlanded offerings. Standing ritual poles with decorative tops line the left edge, and a multi-storey building stands behind the steps.2014-03-18Outdoor riverside ritual on stone ghats at dusk. A man in white kurta and dhoti stands barefoot at left, holding a flame in a small vessel near a bright fire pit. Centre right, a seated figure with long hair, a rudraksha mala and orange-red robes sits behind a small blue deity murti decorated with orange and yellow marigold garlands, with a silver trident beside it. Around them, a large crowd in white and red clothing sits with hands folded in prayer, and a few people hold silver staffs and tridents. Water of the river is visible in the foreground. a person cues: long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and saffron-red robes, shown seated beside the deity murti during the ritual.2014-07-27August 01 20142014-08-01Outdoors on a lawn, a homa fire burns inside a brick fire pit built from stacked reddish bricks. A person in an orange robe with an orange turban, large earrings, and beaded necklaces sits at right, holding a metal ladle or bowl over the fire. Around them, seated devotees watch: a woman in a red shawl and dark-red top holds a small offering near the flames, a bearded man in an orange jacket sits behind, and others wear white, red and grey wraps. A brass kalasha pot with green leaves sits at the left edge, and silver ritual vessels rest near the fire.2014-01-11March 18 20142014-03-18Outdoor Hindu ritual gathering in front of a large crowd of devotees, mostly dressed in white with red shawls and sashes. In the foreground a brick-lined fire pit holds a small flame, with a trident-shaped iron stand, a brass bowl of yellow paste, flower heaps, and silver and brass lamps and plates on the ground. On the left, a man in an orange-red dhoti with a gold necklace sits facing the fire pit with hands folded. Beside him, a red-clad altar holds deity murti decorated with orange marigold garlands. Several priests in saffron-orange robes with shaved heads and white marks sit near the fire, one seated with hands together, another performing rites with a yellow book on his lap. Children and adults fill the background, a cameraman stands on the right, and a shoulder-level homa or yagna is in progress.2014-08-01