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A photograph of a ritual scene at a gold-trimmed seat. In the foreground, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with red-bordered cloth and gold chain holds a lit aarti lamp over silver plates of fruit, flowers and small bowls. Behind him, several men in white dhotis with red borders and gold necklaces hold lamps or offer flames. On the left, a figure in saffron-orange robes sits on a red-cushioned seat beside a gold-edged table laden with apples and metal vessels. Women in white, yellow and orange saris sit on the floor in the background, many holding small oil lamps, and a man in white stands at the upper left. The room has red walls and a white plastic chair, with a smoky haze in the air.

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A photograph of a padapuja-style ritual in a courtyard. On the left, a seated man in orange robes with a bare chest and shaved head sits behind a silver tray holding apples and brass bowls. Around him, men in white dhotis with red-and-white sashes and gold necklaces hold lit oil lamps aloft, and a woman in a yellow sari also raises a lamp. Several women in white saris with orange shawls sit in the background, and smoke drifts through the frame. Silver and brass vessels fill the foreground tray, and a man's shaved head is visible in the lower centre.2010-09-08A pada puja ritual in an indoor hall. Several people in white ceremonial dhotis and shawls sit on the floor around a gold-coloured stand holding brass vessels and a pink flower offering. A priest with a shaved head and vertical sandalwood marks holds a small lamp near the vessels. On the right, a figure in saffron-orange robes sits on a red-cushioned gold throne, his feet and hands visible; his face is not visible. A man at left raises a lamp above his head, and a woman in white with folded hands sits nearby. Two women with hair tied back are seen from behind in the foreground. A tray with fruit and flowers sits on a wooden cabinet behind the throne. Visible people: about 10.2010-10-19Outdoor group ritual with devotees seated on mats and cloth. In the foreground a bald man in white dhoti with a red border holds a silver lamp (aarti) over a silver thali of offerings, while a gold-chain-adorned man in white and a woman in a white sari with yellow border sit with hands in anjali. On the left a bare-chested man with gold necklace holds a small oil lamp with a flame. A woman in glasses and white attire with a yellow shawl and forehead marks is seated in the middle, and a woman in white with a yellow shawl and bangles folds her hands at right. Brass lamps and offerings lie on the floor behind, with more devotees in orange and white visible in the background.2010-09-08A ceremonial puja inside a hall with reddish-pink walls and rising incense smoke. A man in an orange robe stands at left with palms pressed together in namaste, beside a wooden lectern-like stand draped in red and decorated with fruit and flowers. Behind him, a bald man in a white dhoti and shawl stands with arms folded. In the foreground, several men in white dhotis with red-bordered cloth and gold chains hold silver aarti plates and lamps, while women in yellow and white saris and red-and-orange shawls sit in the background. Silver bowls of offerings with red fruit sit on a brass tray in front.2010-09-08November 02 20102010-11-02A ritual aarti scene in an indoor hall. A bald priest with white tilak and white dhoti holds a silver lamp stand with lit oil lamps, beside a woman in a yellow shawl and white sari with palms pressed together in prayer. A woman in a red-bordered sari and pink blouse holds another lit lamp. Behind them a man in a white dhoti with rudraksha-style mala and a saffron-robed man speak into a microphone. On the right, a figure in orange robes and gold-bordered cloth sits near a silver tray of fruit, flowers, betel leaves and small bowls. Foreground women with dark hair in ponytails face the offering tray. Dhoopa smoke rises in the air.2010-11-30A photograph of a pada puja ritual indoors. In the foreground, several devotees in white ceremonial clothes hold lit oil lamps (aarti) aloft, while others stand with palms joined in prayer. A man with a shaved head and sandalwood marks on his forehead wears a gold necklace and a white garment. Behind them, a tray holds fruit and offerings, and a richly gilded wooden seat draped with red cushions and an orange cloth is occupied by a figure in saffron robes whose face is not visible. Incense smoke rises in the background and a microphone stands nearby. The seat-occupant's identity cannot be confirmed from appearance, so no identification is made.2010-10-19A ritual scene inside a hall with a gold-trimmed altar draped in orange cloth and a tray of apples on a cabinet at right. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with white and red forehead markings, a gold necklace and a lamp in hand sits at center, facing a gold tray holding apples, pink flowers and lit lamps. Beside him, a woman in white sari with black beaded necklace presses her palms together. A man at left in white dhoti raises a multi-branched brass lamp, while a shaved-headed young man in orange cloth speaks into a microphone. Several people with long dark hair are seen from behind in the foreground. The scene looks like a puja or aarti offering.2010-10-19November 05 20102010-11-05A group of devotees performs a ritual with oil lamps and silver puja plates in an indoor hall. In the foreground a man in white dhoti with a red border and a rudraksha mala holds a small lit lamp, with white vibhuti horizontal lines on his forehead and arms. Beside him a woman in a red-bordered white sari and a bangle stands with hands folded in prayer. A young boy in white kurta holds a lamp near his forehead. At right a shaved-headed man wears an orange cloth and white vibhuti marks. Other people wear white and yellow garments, and a silver tray with offerings lies in front of them.2010-10-28September 22 20112011-09-22November 02 20102010-11-02