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A homa ritual is performed at a brick fire pit with a bright flame. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold border and a long beaded mala sits cross-legged, pouring from a small metal vessel. Behind him, a second priest in white with a beaded mala sits near a gold-covered throne. To the right, brass kalashas with mango leaves and marigolds stand on a silver tray near a pink cloth-draped altar with garlands. Plates of offerings, a red-wrapped bundle, and a copper pot sit on the floor.

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December 23 20102010-12-23Two priests in white ritual dhotis with golden borders sit before a homa fire pit built of brick, with flames rising from the lit pit. The priest in the foreground, bare-chested with a gold-bordered cloth and a rudraksha mala, holds a silver tray or ladle over the fire. Behind them, a seated priest with a shaved head wears a white cloth and mala and watches quietly. Behind the altar stand three deity murtis dressed in ornate clothing and draped in white jasmine and red flower garlands, with brass kalashas and decorated offering pots holding green leaves in front. A tray of ritual items and banana-leaf offerings lies at the lower left, and a pink cloth covers part of the altar.2010-12-26December 23 20102010-12-23December 14 20112011-12-14 +1 copiesPhoto of a homa fire ritual in a temple-like hall. A young shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold-edged border and gold beaded mala sits cross-legged before a brick fire pit with a visible flame, scattering offerings with one hand while holding a bell in the other. Marigold petals decorate the bricks; a brass pot, kumkum cups and a bowl of yellow flowers sit on a silver tray beside him. Behind him, a second man in white wraps and beaded necklace sits near an ornate gold throne with red cushion.2010-12-23December 23 20102010-12-23A homa fire ritual in progress on a sunlit outdoor terrace. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold borders and a beaded garland kneels before a square brick fire pit with flames rising, pouring offering from a silver ladle-like vessel. Another person in white holds a large silver bowl of grains at left, and silver bowls and a plate with offerings sit nearby. Behind the fire, decorated kalasha pots with mango-leaf tops and turmeric-marked coconuts stand on a bed of rice. A microphone stands at the fire pit and orange fabric hangs overhead.2011-12-28December 28 20112011-12-28A homa or fire ritual in a temple hall. A young priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold-coloured sash sits behind a fire pit built of stacked yellow bricks, holding a flaming ladle over the kindling. A priest in white and red-bordered dhoti kneels at right beside a brass plate of offerings. Behind them, a standing man in an orange robe and a cameraman in white stand near a gold ornate throne-like chair with red cushion. On the right, several deity murtis are dressed with white and orange garlands, with brass kalasha pots holding coconut and mango leaves on a pink cloth. A seated man and other devotees sit in the background. A woman with dark hair in the lower left foreground has hands folded in prayer.2010-12-23A homa fire ritual in a temple hall. A bald man in white dhoti and kurta with a bright yellow shawl and rudraksha mala sits on an orange cloth, holding a small metal dish over a red metal fire tray with burning flames and offerings. A second man in white kneels at left with palms pressed together in prayer. Brass bowls of fruit and food, a brass oil lamp and a kalasha-style vessel sit nearby, and an orange cloth covers the floor.2010-01-14December 14 20112011-12-14A photograph of a homa fire ritual in an ashram hall. A fire burns inside a square pit built of orange-brown bricks decorated with white markings. Two priests in white dhotis with gold-bordered cloth sit on the floor; the foreground priest, bare-chested with gold necklaces and a bangle, raises a hand holding a ladle or spoon over the flames, while an older priest with glasses and a gold chain sits behind him. A gilded ornate throne with red cushioning stands against a red wall behind them. To the right are rows of brass kalasha pots with mango leaves and a red cloth-wrapped coconut, plus brass plates of yellow flowers, saffron-coloured threads and offerings. Two monks in orange robes stand in a doorway in the background.2010-12-23