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Night 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.

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Night 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.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual under a canopy strung with green leaves and lights. A man in a white dhoti and white shawl, with a cream turban, stands on a red and gold throne holding a silver plate of offerings. Beside him a man in saffron-orange robes holds a ritual item, and on the right a shaved-headed priest in orange robes with white body markings stands at the altar. Several women in saris, including one in red and one in green, sit on the floor before a brass oil lamp, flowers, fruit and offerings. A wooden drum stands in the foreground and a glowing fire pit lies at the edge of the altar.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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.2010-10-16Night 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 under a temporary pandal decorated with fresh green leaf garlands and a hanging ring structure. A man in a white dhoti-style garment and orange-and-white turban stands at a raised platform holding a silver plate or tray, offering it toward a figure seated on an ornate red and gold throne. Beside him, a monk in saffron robes stands near a second robed figure with white-painted markings on the body and a white turban. Foreground women in red and maroon saris sit on the left holding offerings, including fruits and pink flowers, while a woman with long dark hair watches. Brass oil lamps and flower petals are arranged on the platform, and a wooden drum-like object sits at right. String lights glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or puja. In the centre a man in white clothes with a white turban and beaded necklaces sits on a red and gold ornate throne, hands raised in a mudra. Beside him an elderly sadhu with a long white beard, bare-chested, wearing a rust-orange dhoti and orange shawl, holds a ritual object in his hand. Ornate white and red fire-platform steps hold flowers, petals, brass vessels and offerings in front of the throne. Brass oil lamps stand at left, a young woman in a red blouse and saree sits in the foreground, and devotees in white sit at right. Strings of leaves and orange cloth hang overhead, with a large round OM symbol above.2010-10-16October 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.2010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram setting lit by a string of red fairy lights and a bright lamp. In the foreground a woman with long dark wavy hair, wearing a red blouse and maroon sari, sits beside a tray of mangoes and bananas. Beside her, several women in saris (maroon, green and white) hold green fruit and offerings near a low white platform decorated with flowers, a brass lamp and a plate of tomatoes and fruit. In the centre a figure in white clothing sits on an ornate red and gold throne. To the right a man with a shaved head and beard, wearing an orange-saffron cloth and holding a ritual vessel, stands at the side of a wooden drum-like altar. Coloured cloth banners and a deity figure with an ornate headdress appear at the left edge.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16Night-time homa ceremony under a leaf-strung canopy hung with a large gold-outlined OM symbol and triangular saffron and orange pennants. A seated figure in white ritual clothes and a white head cloth sits on an ornate gold-framed red throne behind a white stepped altar, with a fire pit and flower-strewn offerings. Beside him an elder with long grey hair and a tall ascetic headdress, wearing a rust-red cloth, holds a ritual vessel, while a bare-chested attendant with a sacred thread stands at left. A woman in a red blouse and saffron sari sits in the foreground with brass lamps, fruit and marigold garlands nearby, and devotees in white sit in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies