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Night ritual outdoors under a canopy of green leaves strung between wooden posts with a large circular ring. In the centre, a man in a plain white dhoti stands with palms pressed together in namaskar beside a large carved wooden peetha or throne-like altar. To his left, another man in white holds a silver tray with a red cloth bundle. A bare-chested priest in white sits at the altar's right, and another priest in white with a gold-bead mala holds a small bell and spoon over brass vessels and offerings of flowers and fruit. Standing figures in white and a seated crowd of children and adults in white and orange gather in the background. Tall cloth-wrapped pillars decorated with bird motifs flank the scene.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram puja space lit by oil lamps. A man in the centre wears a cream-coloured turban and white dhoti and shawl, with a multi-strand necklace of beads and gold, standing with palms pressed together in prayer before a carved wooden throne-like seat with a round carved backrest. Around him, several shaven-headed men in white dhotis and beaded necklaces stand or kneel with hands folded; one holds a silver bowl. Brass plates with flowers and offerings sit on white cloth at the front, and a purple cloth covers a table at right. A garland of green leaves hangs overhead, with a decorated pillar and circular wooden hoops above. Children in white and yellow clothing sit at left, and a row of seated devotees in white fills the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa or puja site. A man in plain white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban stands at centre with palms pressed together in namaskar. Beside him, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with striped maroon border holds a silver bowl. Another bare-chested priest in white with a rudraksha mala stands at right with palms folded, and a seated priest in white with a mala sits near a carved wooden peetha. Brass vessels and a plate sit on a cloth before them. Behind, rows of seated children and adults in white and yellow clothes watch. Mango-leaf garland hangs overhead, and two large ring-shaped wooden structures with a saffron cloth hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual photograph at a homa or yagna site. A man in plain white dhoti and a cream turban stands at centre with palms pressed together in namaskar, a row of beaded ornaments on his chest. To his right, a bald man in white dhoti and layered beaded necklaces holds a metal bowl. Further right, another man in white with a beaded necklace presses his palms together. Behind them a leafy garland of mango leaves hangs across a rope, with two painted pillars and circular wooden hoops above. In the foreground stand a wooden circular carved seat, brass vessels, a kalasha-like bowl and small offering dishes on white cloth. About twenty seated children and adults in white and yellow clothes sit on a white cloth, many with palms together, forming a ritual gathering.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa-style altar. A man in white dhoti and shawl with a tan-yellow turban stands barefoot at the centre, hands pressed together in namaskar. Beside him, a bald priest in white with a gold-bead mala holds a silver bowl, and another priest in white with a mala stands with palms joined at right. A seated priest in white with a mala sits at the carved wooden peetha-style seat on the right. Behind them, a large group of seated children and adults in white clothes, some in orange and yellow shawls, watch. Brass plates with offerings sit on a white-draped table. Strings of green leaves and a tall painted pillar with circular rings form the backdrop.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor fire ritual at a homa site lit by a bright flame in a stone-lined pit in the foreground. A standing man in white dhoti and shawl with a beaded necklace holds a silver tray with a red cloth on it, while beside him a man in a cream turban and white dhoti with beaded necklaces stands with hands folded. A large carved wooden disc stands on the right, and a priest in white kneels near it. Several seated children and adults in white and orange garments sit on white cloth behind the fire. Strings of green leaves and a painted wooden pillar with blue and orange motifs decorate the scene, with brass plates and vessels around the fire.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual on a raised platform beneath a strand of green mango leaves and hanging brass rings. A man in a white dhoti and shawl, with a saffron-coloured turban, rudraksha-style beaded garland and gold-toned arm bands, stands with palms pressed together in namaste. Beside him a bare-chested priest in a white cloth holds a brass bowl, and another priest in white with a beaded mala stands at right with hands folded. A large carved wooden peetha stands on the platform with brass plates, a kalasha-like vessel and offering items in front. Seated and standing children and adults in white and yellow clothes fill the foreground, with some wearing orange and red garments.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual at an open-air ceremonial area. In the foreground a fire pit burns beside a carved wooden or stone yoni-style base and brass plates. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a tan turban holds a flaming lamp and a bell, while a shaved-headed priest in white with a red-bordered cloth and rudraksha mala holds a brass bowl. Behind them, shaved-headed priests in white clothes stand with palms pressed together, and a row of young boys in white with red scarves sits on the left. Green leaf garlands and a decorated pillar with colourful patterns frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copies