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Night-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.

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A night ritual scene at an outdoor homa or puja space. In the foreground a young woman with long wavy dark hair and a maroon top and sari sits cross-legged, looking to her left, with a green-and-pink offering in her hands. Behind her, several women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a row holding offerings. Fruit, bananas, limes, vermilion and turmeric powder in metal bowls, and marigold petals cover the floor. To the right, a robed man in white sits on a red and gold throne, and beside him a man in saffron-orange cloth holds a plate. A large clay deity murti with many arms stands in the left background, surrounded by string lights and a fire-pit area with smoke. Ritual implements and a wooden stand are in the foreground.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 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. 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 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.2010-10-16Evening ritual at a dimly lit outdoor puja pavilion decorated with strings of red fairy lights and a large deity murti on the left wall. In the foreground a woman with long wavy dark hair, wearing a maroon blouse and a red-and-gold sari, sits on the floor holding a green fruit and a pink flower. Several other women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a row beside her, also holding fruit and flowers. On a raised golden-armrested red throne at the centre-right, a man in a saffron turban, white dhoti and a long beaded necklace stands holding an object. Behind him, a man in orange robes stands beside a tall decorated pillar. Brass oil lamps, bowls of fruit, marigolds, a kalasha-style setup and a wooden drum-like stand occupy the floor, with a folded red cloth in front.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-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 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.2010-10-16