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Night photograph of an outdoor Hindu ritual on a red-carpeted stage beneath bamboo arches and hanging mango leaves. A man in a white dhoti with a cream turban and a gold-beaded necklace sits on an ornate red throne, smiling with palms joined. Beside him an older bearded man in a saffron-orange robe, with white markings and a rudraksha-style mala, sits in a cream armchair with hands folded. A bare-chested attendant in white leans near the throne. Girls in red and magenta silk dresses sit in front holding flowers and oranges. Brass oil lamps and fruit, including bananas and watermelon, are arranged on the ground. Painted pillars in red and green frame the scene. The man on the throne has long hair and an ornate gold necklace, which is a presentation that could plausibly fit the a person candidate, but the appearance is not distinctive enough to confirm.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual photo. A smiling man in a white dhoti and a saffron-and-cream turban sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne, wearing beaded necklaces and an arm band. Beside him, a figure with a white-painted face and body, wearing a rust-red robe and a headwrap, sits in a cream upholstered chair with hands pressed together. A bare-chested assistant in white with a gold necklace kneels near an oil lamp. In front, several young girls in red and magenta silk dresses sit on the ground with fruit, oranges and flowers, and fruit trays of bananas and apples lie at the lower left. Behind them hang green mango leaves, a flower garland, painted pillars with bird motifs, and large circular hoops overhead.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ceremony under a decorated canopy strung with mango leaves and a floral garland. A man in an ornate gold-and-red throne is seated centrally, wearing a cream turban, white dhoti-style cloth, and multiple beaded necklaces; he is smiling. Before him, a shaved-headed man in white with a red-bordered cloth kneels at a stone yajna pit or homa platform strewn with flower petals and brass vessels, holding offerings. To the right, an older bearded man with white hair, bare chest, body markings and beaded necklaces sits with hands folded in namaste, and a shaved-headed attendant in white stands at the edge. A man in saffron clothes stands near the throne holding a ceremonial item, and young girls in red and maroon traditional dress with flowers in their hair sit at left. Painted decorative pillars and a red flag frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time ritual photograph at an open-air ashram venue with a yellow-and-green banner strung overhead and decorated pillars with coloured geometric patterns behind. A man in a cream cloth wrapped in orange with a light turban sits on a red ornate throne, smiling, with a rudraksha-style necklace. Beside him on a stone seat sits an elderly bare-chested sadhu with white beard and forehead markings, hands joined. In front, a bald man in white kneels at a square fire-pit altar with brass lamps, flowers and offerings. A girl in red and maroon dress, other children in pink and red, and a standing priest in white with garland and a brass vessel complete the scene. A fire pit with offerings suggests a homa.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time ritual at an outdoor ceremony. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti and a saffron-and-white turban stands beside an ornate red throne with gold trim, wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces. A bare-chested man kneels at a white stone altar decorated with yellow flowers and brass vessels, while a bearded sadhu with white-painted markings and a red-orange cloth stands at right. Several girls in red and maroon silk dresses with flowers in their braided hair sit in front. Decorative pillars with coloured patterns, mango-leaf garlands and a large wooden drum stand behind them, with ritual brass items in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a decorated pandal with hanging green leaves, a flower garland and painted pillars. A shaved-headed man in white dhoti with red border and gold necklace stands at right holding a small ritual object aloft. Seated near a fire pit and offering tray are a man in saffron robe, a turbaned figure in white, and a man with white markings on his forehead and bare chest, with a red throne-like seat at left. Several children in red and maroon silk clothing sit on mats in front, with fruit, flowers, brass oil lamps, a kalasha-like vessel and offering bowls. A man in white dhoti with a yellow cloth kneels at right beside a wooden drum.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual (homa) at an ashram. A standing man in white dhoti with an orange-and-gold turban and a gold-bead necklace presses his palms together beside an ornate red and gold throne. A seated priest in white with a gold necklace tends the fire pit, which has white-edged platforms and flower petals. On the right an older sadhu with long white beard, white forehead markings, rudraksha beads and a reddish-orange cloth stands with hands folded. Children in red and magenta silk dresses with braided hair sit at the left edge with offerings. Painted wooden pillars, leaf garlands and a wooden yoke-shaped board frame the scene, with a bright blue-and-white emblem at the top left.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ceremony in an open ashram courtyard lit by string lights and a lamp at left. A man in white dhoti with a gold-beaded mala sits in front of a square fire pit lined with white stone, placing offerings into the flames. Behind him on a red and gold throne sits a man in white garments with a yellow turban and a long mala, watching the rite. A bare-chested man in saffron cloth and a yellow headcloth stands at right beside an older bare-chested sadhu seated in a white armchair with ash-marked body and rudraksha beads. Several girls in red and maroon silk dresses with gold jewellery sit on the left, some holding flowers, and white-clad men with malas stand in the background. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha, fruit, marigold petals and a tray with flowers surround the fire pit.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time ritual on an outdoor stage decorated with green leaf bunting and painted pillars. A man in white dhoti and shawl with a gold turban and gold-bead necklaces sits on a red velvet throne with gold trim, smiling. Beside him an elderly bearded sadhu with a white turban and bare upper body, wearing rudraksha malas, sits on a cream throne. A bald priest in white dhoti with red borders stands at right raising one hand and holding a silver vessel, while another man kneels in front of the thrones. Several young girls and children in red, magenta and green silk sit on the floor before brass oil lamps, flowers and offering plates. A wooden stool and a printed banner with a photo of saints appear at the right edge.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor homa pavilion decorated with mango-leaf garlands, hanging cloth bunting and a circular golden ring motif. In the centre a fire pit burns on a low platform; a standing priest in white dhoti with red border holds an object at chest height. A large red-and-gold throne is occupied by a seated figure in white. Brass oil lamps stand on the left beside trays of bananas, limes, coconuts, turmeric and kumkum. Behind them a decorated deity murti with garlands. Several children in red and maroon outfits sit in front, and a bald man in white with a gold necklace sits on the right beside a brass vessel. Rows of seated devotees fill the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies