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Night 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.

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A 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-time outdoor ritual photograph with a fire pit and smoke rising at centre. Two seated figures sit on a red and gold throne-like chair and a white chair beside it. The figure on the red throne wears a saffron turban, white dhoti and gold beaded necklaces, while the figure beside them wears a long grey beard, a saffron-orange robe and ash markings on the body. Several women in orange, yellow and red saris sit in rows on the ground before them, and brass oil lamps, kalasha-like vessels, fruit and flower offerings lie in front. Young men in white dhotis with gold necklaces stand at the left, and decorated pillars with painted panels and leaf garlands frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesNight 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 outdoor ritual photograph at an ashram. A standing man in a white dhoti with a white head cloth and a gold chain necklace holds a small lit lamp or plate while seated on an ornate red and gold throne. Beside him a man in saffron-orange robes holds a tray, and a man with white body markings and a grey beard in a red-brown cloth stands with hands joined. Seated on the left, several women in red, pink and green saris hold coconuts and pink flowers in front of a brass oil lamp and a fire pit. A large wooden drum stands at right, with fruit and flower offerings on a white-cloth altar. Strings of lights, hanging green leaf garlands and orange tassels decorate the background.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16A 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual photograph at an ashram setting. A man in a white dhoti with a white shawl and a yellow-white turban stands before a red velvet throne with gold trim, raising his right hand while bare-chested and wearing a long beaded necklace. To his right a man in saffron-orange robes holds a silver tray, and an elderly bearded man in red-brown robes with a white forehead mark and a rudraksha-style neck garland stands with hands folded. Along the front, several women in red, pink and green sarees sit on the ground before a white tiered platform scattered with flower petals, brass lamps, coconuts and offerings. Lit oil lamps, brass vessels and a wooden drum stand in the foreground. Hanging leaf garlands, orange-tipped banners and string lights frame the scene.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa or yagna at an outdoor ritual space. Smoke rises from a fire pit at top centre under strings of leaves and small triangular pennants. On the left, a row of decorated deity murtis stands lit by strings of red fairy lights. A brass oil lamp stands in the foreground beside trays of fruit (bananas, mangoes, apples, oranges) and heaps of kumkum and turmeric. Seated in the foreground, a girl in a red sari with a long braid faces the altar. A priest in white ritual dress with red-bordered cloth stands at the altar, while another priest in white kneels at the right, and a red and gold throne stands empty behind the altar. Devotees in white and red sit in the background.2010-10-16