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A photograph of a homa ritual on the ground under a shaded canopy with banana-leaf posts. A central figure in saffron-orange robes and a saffron head covering sits cross-legged, wearing a rudraksha mala and a large ceremonial gold pendant necklace, with a sacred ash mark on the forehead, and holds a small ritual vessel. Around him, young men in white kurtas with yellow shawls kneel and handle brass plates of offerings, a silver bowl and a small brass pot. Devotees in white and yellow sit on woven mats behind, some with hands folded in prayer. Seated people on white chairs and a row of others in white clothes are visible in the background.

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September 26 20092009-09-26September 25 20092009-09-25 +1 copiesA seated saffron-robed sannyasi with a shaved head, tilak marks, a red-and-saffron shawl and a heavy gold necklace performs a homa at an outdoor ritual ground beside a young banana tree. Around him, men in white kurtas wear yellow scarves and rudraksha malas; one man at left holds a silver tray of offerings and another kneels with a silver vessel. Women in white saris with folded hands sit in the background, and a wooden bench and mats cover the ground. Brass and silver ritual vessels and a small fire-pit area are in front of the priest.2009-09-26A photograph of an outdoor ritual on bare ground under a light shelter. A central figure sits cross-legged on a striped mat, wearing a saffron-orange robe with the head draped in orange cloth, a gold ceremonial necklace with a pendant, and a forehead marking. He holds a small ritual vessel while attendants in white kurta-style clothes and yellow shawls sit around him. One attendant to the left holds a silver bowl, another at the front right arranges brass plates of small white sweets and offerings, and a younger attendant in the background holds a tray of lamps. A wooden post stands in the middle of the scene with a chalk circle drawn on the ground nearby, and silver vessels and a brass plate sit at the lower left, consistent with a homa or puja setting. The central figure is an appearance-based a person candidate with saffron robes, a gold ceremonial necklace and a shaved head, seated among ritual attendants.2009-09-26A seated puja scene outdoors under a palm-thatched shade. In the centre, a man in saffron-orange robes and a long orange head covering sits cross-legged, wearing a heavy gold bead necklace with a pendant and a red-and-white forehead mark, while his hands hold smoking incense. Beside him, young men in white kurtas with yellow shawls and rudraksha malas sit on a blue mat, one holding a silver bowl. Women in white saris sit behind them. In the foreground, a large brass plate holds rows of cooked rice portions in leaf cups, with a small oil lamp and offerings nearby. a person candidate appearance: saffron robes, long swept-back head covering and gold necklace are present, but the face and features are not clear enough to confirm identity.2009-09-26Outdoor ritual gathering seated on blue and striped mats on dusty ground. A man in saffron-orange robes with an orange shawl and a tilak on his forehead, wearing gold bangles and a rudraksha-style mala, sits with a brass plate of offerings and a small silver bowl. Around him, devotees in white dhotis and kurtas wear yellow shawls, and several women in white sit behind them. A bamboo-like pole stands at center with marigold petals scattered at its base, and a brass lamp and plate sit on the ground in the foreground. The scene suggests a homa or puja with seated participants. a person (saffron robes, orange shawl, gold bangles and mala beads), seated and handling the offerings.2009-09-26Outdoor ritual scene under a canopy of banana leaves on wooden poles. A man in orange robes with a draped orange hood, rimmed glasses, a long gold-beaded necklace, and a silver bell in one hand holds a brass tray of offerings with a lit flame. Seated beside him, a man in a white dhoti and yellow shawl with a red rudraksha-style mala receives or handles a silver spoon and dish near the flame, while others in white and yellow sit on orange cushions. A framed portrait labelled with a name sits at upper left, and a standing figure in white at left holds his hands together. Small brass pots and a metal tray of food sit on a blue mat in the foreground.2009-09-25A photograph of a seated ritual gathering under a canopy of wooden poles and palm trees. A man in an orange robe with a hood, wearing a large gold ceremonial necklace with a pendant, sits cross-legged in meditation with his hands resting in his lap, a shaved head and glasses. Around him, young men in white dhotis and yellow shawls sit on a blue and red mat; one holds a silver bowl. A woman in a pink wrap sits nearby. In the foreground a large brass plate holds rows of small clay dishes filled with white offerings, beside a small oil lamp and brass vessel. Devotees in white clothes sit on chairs in the background.2009-09-26Outdoor ritual on bare earth beneath a banana plant with broad green leaves. A figure in orange-saffron robes, wearing a red head covering, a rudraksha-style beaded necklace and a gold-coloured garland, sits cross-legged on a mat while seated. Around him, young men in white dhotis and white shirts with yellow shawls and beaded malas sit on mats. One holds a brass tray with a small oil lamp and offerings, another holds a brass plate of small bowls with rice and grains, and a central brass tray holds yellow and orange flowers and a small metal vessel. Behind them, two older women in white saris sit with hands pressed in prayer, and a white vehicle is parked in the background. Ritual offering scene.2009-09-25A photograph of an outdoor ritual at a dirt-floored open-air site under a yellow canopy. In the foreground a young man in white clothes and a yellow shawl holds a silver bowl of flower petals. Centre, a shaved-headed man in an orange saffron robe with a rudraksha mala and a tilak on his forehead sits with palms pressed together in namaskar. Around him, men in white dresses and yellow shawls kneel, one holding a tray of small bowls and another a tray with a silver vessel and lamps. Banana leaves, brass vessels and a green plant are visible behind them. The swami in saffron has no distinctive a person cues strong enough to confirm identity, so he is described by role.2009-09-26Outdoor ritual photograph under a thatched shelter with palm trees behind. A man with a shaved head, in an orange-saffron robe with an orange shawl over the head and a heavy gold necklace with a large pendant, sits cross-legged holding incense and ritual items; the figure is an appearance-based a person candidate, with a shaved head, saffron robe and gold necklace, though his face and features are not visible enough for a firm identification. Around him, young men in white kurtas with yellow shawls and rudraksha malas sit at the ritual, a woman in a maroon shawl sits nearby, and other women in white and a woman in a patterned shawl watch from behind. In front, a large brass tray holds rows of white rice-based offerings in small leaf bowls, with silver bowls and a small oil lamp on the mat. Participants are seated on mats at a homa-style ritual, with a banner visible in the background.2009-09-26Outdoor ritual photograph at a homa or puja site. A woman in a saffron-orange shawl with a matching sari-style wrap sits cross-legged on a blue mat, her hands near a brass tray holding small leaf bowls filled with white rice and red and yellow offerings. Several young men in white kurtas with yellow shoulder cloths stand around, one holding a brass plate of yellow flowers and another carrying a brass tray. Behind them, a row of people in white and yellow sit on a raised platform beneath a cream-coloured screen and a green canopy. The scene is bright and sunlit.2009-09-25