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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16Night 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 ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram setting lit by a flame. In the foreground a woman with long wavy brown hair in a maroon blouse and patterned sari sits with her eyes closed and hands folded near offering trays of red apples, green-yellow fruits, and flower petals. A brass lamp and a burning flame held in a metal vessel are raised by a white-clad priest on the right. Behind them a red and gold ornate chair stands on a white and marigold-strewn platform, with a seated figure in saffron and white with a turban-style headpiece and rudraksha beads, hands joined in prayer. Another seated figure in orange and white sits to the right, and devotees in white clothes sit on the ground in the background beneath strings of green leaves and red-and-gold decorated pillars. A large wooden drum-like object stands in the middle of the scene.2010-10-16Night-time photograph of a ritual hall under a canopy hung with red, yellow and green pennant flags, tassel decorations and a large gold-outlined om symbol. In the foreground, a woman in a maroon blouse and patterned sari sits near offering plates of red fruit, and a second woman with long dark hair leans forward. At right, a young shaven-headed man in a white dhoti with red-bordered shawl stands with folded hands. Center background, a figure in a red garment with a crown-like headpiece sits on a gold-trimmed seat beside a tiered white altar-platform with brass vessels, while a figure in orange robes stands with hands joined. Brass lamps, marigolds, a fire-pit area with rising smoke, and seated devotees fill the scene.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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual photograph. A woman in a white sari and white head wrap stands on a red-and-gold throne-like seat, one arm raised, and wears a long beaded necklace. Beside her a man in orange robes holds a brass bowl, and a bearded man in white with a red cloth and white body markings stands at right with palms joined. Seated devotees in red and green saris kneel at left holding coconuts and flowers, with brass oil lamps and a kalasha-like vessel before them. A man kneels at centre near a white platform strewn with petals and offerings. Overhead hang mango-leaf garlands, orange cloth banners, string lights and a circular hanging frame; a wooden drum-like stand is in the foreground.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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.2010-10-16