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Night-time outdoor ritual photograph. A central figure in white dhoti and shawl, with a yellow turban and layered rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, stands beside an ornate red and gold throne-like seat and smiles while holding a small item. A younger man in white with a red-bordered cloth bends over a white stone homa/yagna platform. On the right an older sadhu with a white beard, white sacred markings on his body and an orange-red cloth holds a strand of beads. Two girls in red and magenta dress sit on a mat near brass lamps, fruit and flower petals. Striped festival decorations hang overhead, with a wooden drum-like object in the foreground and a photo-display board behind.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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 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 outdoor ritual at a homa or yagna fire pit on a white-tiled platform. A bare-chested man in white dhoti with rudraksha-style beads kneels at the fire, scattering offerings. Behind, a man in white dhoti and gold-orange turban with a garland stands beside a large red and gold throne, and an older bearded man with white forehead markings and a light-coloured cloth holds a ritual item. Several young girls in red and maroon dresses sit near brass vessels, flowers and lamps. A wooden board and bell-shaped vessels are in the foreground, and a banner with a bird logo hangs at the top corner.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa or puja site. A man in white dhoti and shawl, wearing a saffron-and-cream turban and a long mala of beads, stands behind a red-cushioned gold-trimmed throne. Seated in front, a bare-chested priest in white with a shaved head and sandalwood markings works at a fire pit, with white and yellow flower petals scattered on the platform. Standing at right, a shaved-headed man in white with a gold necklace holds a ritual item. Smoke rises from the fire, lit oil lamps stand at left, and girls in red and pink saris with braided hair stand at lower left. Leaves and a garland hang from a bamboo frame above.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 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 outdoor ritual photograph at an ashram. A figure in white dhoti and shawl, with a gold and red-cushioned throne behind him, holds a silver tray of offerings, while a man in orange robes stands beside him. Another man in an orange-red robe and turban, with white-painted forehead and beaded necklaces, stands to the right. A seated man in white clothing with gold necklaces bends over a white stepped altar strewn with marigold petals, brass vessels and a bowl. A standing man in white with a raised hand speaks or chants at left. Three women in red and orange saris stand in the foreground. Green leaf festoons and a striped cylindrical pillar decorate the background, and a large wooden drum stands at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual photograph with a red and gold throne at centre. A man in a white dhoti and shawl with a turban and gold necklaces stands beside the throne with his hand on a seated devotee's head. A man in orange robes holds a silver tray. At right an elderly sadhu with white-painted forehead and grey beard in orange-brown cloth sits with a rudraksha mala. A young man in white dhoti with a microphone stands at left; three women in red and orange saris kneel at left. Smoke rises over a kund-like platform strewn with flower petals, brass pots, lamps and fruit. Painted pillars and leaf festoons frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copies