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Night-time ritual at an outdoor ashram setting with smoke rising above. A bare-chested man in white dhoti lies prostrate with his forehead to the ground in front of a white-tiered altar strewn with flower petals, silver vessels and a kalasha. Three women in red and orange saris sit on a purple mat to the left with hands folded. Behind the altar, a figure in white dhoti and rudraksha mala sits on an ornate red and gold throne, with a second man in white with striped sacred markings beside him, and a man in orange robes holding a silver plate behind. A wooden shield-like board stands to the right. The scene suggests puja or darshan rather than a labelled event, and no printed text is legible.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual photo at an ashram homa or puja space. A man in a white dhoti with a maroon border lies prostrate with his forehead to the floor before a low white-tiered altar strewn with flower petals, brass vessels, a bell and a small silver container. Several women in red and orange saris sit in a row on the left. Behind the altar, on a red and gold throne, a bare-chested man with a turban, a gold necklace and a rudraksha mala sits smiling, while a bearded sannyasi in white with painted forehead markings and a turban sits on a white throne beside him. Smoke rises in the background and wooden panels stand at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual on a raised wooden platform with orange and white striped edges. In the foreground a shaven-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders prostrates on the platform, hands flat before a low offering table laden with flowers, brass vessels, a plate of apples and a lamp. To the right another man in white with a gold necklace kneels beside him. Two women in red saris sit at left on a purple mat. Behind, a seated figure in white with a gold-trimmed crown or turban and gold necklaces sits on a raised red throne-like seat, with another seated person in white beside him, and an ornate gold arch frames the back. Marigold petals are scattered across the platform.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual on a raised wooden platform under a canopy of leaves. A bearded man in orange robes with a white-and-orange turban sits on a white throne-like seat with hands pressed together, while a woman in a white sari and gold necklace stands behind him beside a man in orange holding a plate. Seated at the front, several women in red and orange saris face the platform. At right, two men in white dhotis with red borders perform offerings: one has folded hands and another holds a plate of flowers. Before them lie a brass kalasha, bells, small metal vessels, a plate of apples and marigold petals, and a wooden drum with a cloth draped over it. A red throne with gold trim stands at upper left.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesJune 05 20122012-06-05Night outdoor ritual photograph. A seated figure in white robes and an orange-trimmed shawl sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne with a crown-like headpiece, while to the right a priest in red-orange clothing with a head wrap and beaded necklaces holds a ritual object and performs a rite. In front, a row of women in red and maroon saris and a woman with long dark hair kneel holding offerings, including a green coconut-like fruit, pink flowers and a small plate. Oil lamps burn on the low white and flower-strewn altar, with incense smoke rising. A large wooden drum stands in the foreground, and overhead are circular hoops and leafy garlands above lit red-and-gold decor. Several people are visible in the background near the altar.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual at a fire pit (homa/yagna) in an open-air ashram courtyard. A large square fire pit lined with wood sits at left, with smoke and embers visible. Seated on an orange cushioned throne at the back, a figure in a deep red-maroon robe wears a long white flower garland, with hands folded. Nearby, a man in white dhoti and a green-and-white upper cloth sits with palms joined, wearing a rudraksha mala. A woman in white garment with a bright pink head wrap and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged on a orange mat, hands folded, facing the fire. To the right, a standing man in saffron-orange and red clothes holds his hands in anjali, while another standing figure in white dhoti and a rudraksha mala also holds palms together. Rows of seated saffron-robed monastics and devotees fill the background. Women in red and gold saris with jasmine garlands kneel in the foreground, hands folded. Brass pots, kalasha-style vessels and flower offerings surround the fire pit.2014-10-03Night outdoor ceremony with a fire or incense haze rising. A seated figure in white robes with a white head covering sits on an ornate red-and-gold throne in the centre, holding a small orange cloth. To the right, a bearded man in a rust-red robe and a white turban-like head covering stands with raised hand beside a large wooden drum. Women in red and maroon saris sit in the foreground, several holding brass oil lamps and offerings of fruit and flowers on a white-draped platform with flower petals, brass vessels and a red cloth. Strings of leaves and coloured lights decorate the background, with two painted pillars holding circular hoops above.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa ceremony under a canopy strung with leaf garlands and a large golden om symbol. In the centre a seated figure in white robes, a white head cloth and rudraksha-style beads sits on a gold-and-red throne, a white ritual cloth draped over the lap. Beside the throne a priest in saffron-red robes with a sacred ash-marked face and bare upper body holds a vessel, while another priest in white stands at the right. A white altar platform in front holds flowers, brass vessels and a fire pit, with brass oil lamps and a wooden drum at left. A woman in a red sari in the foreground watches, and a row of seated devotees in white clothes sits at right.2010-10-16