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December 16 2010

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December 16 20102010-12-16A standing priest in saffron-orange robes with a red-bordered drape over his head and a gold bead necklace with a pendant stands at a homa fire pit, holding a lit lamp in one hand and a bell in the other. Smoke rises around him under a canopy of palm leaves and fresh green foliage. Several seated people in white and yellow-bordered clothing sit around the fire, some with hands joined. In the foreground, flower petals, silver and brass vessels, and a brass tray with offerings lie on the white altar.2009-09-25A photograph of a night homa ceremony under a temporary pandal decorated with orange cloth and leafy garlands. A bald priest in orange robes with a red-edged shawl and a gold bead necklace holds a lit ritual lamp aloft in his right hand and a bell in his left. Smoke rises from a fire pit on a white platform scattered with yellow marigold petals and red kolam designs. Behind him an attendant in white dhoti and yellow shawl holds a long palm-leaf canopy stick, and seated devotees in white and yellow shawls sit on the ground. Brass plates of sweets, a kalasha and a brass lamp sit on the platform.2009-09-25A standing figure in saffron-orange robes with a hooded drape and a gold-beaded necklace holds a lit multi-wick brass aarti lamp in one hand and a small bell in the other during an evening ritual. Smoke fills the air, and a fire pit sits in front of him edged with yellow marigold petals, with silver and brass vessels and offerings on a tray. Seated devotees in white clothes with yellow shawls press their palms together, and one wears a rudraksha mala. Green palm fronds hang overhead. The lamp flame and aarti gesture suggest an aarti performed during a homa.2009-09-25Night-time ritual at an outdoor pandal with banana leaves and smoke in the air. A shaven-headed man in a saffron-orange robe with maroon borders and a gold chain with a pendant stands at right, holding a brass aarti lamp with a flaming wick over the head of a seated young man in white kurta, yellow shawl and rudraksha mala who has his palms raised. Yellow and orange marigold petals are scattered on the stone platform in front, with brass vessels and a bell visible. Other seated devotees in orange and yellow sit behind. The orange-robed man shows no clear a person cues such as long hair or ornate crown, so his identity is uncertain.2009-09-25A shaven-headed man in saffron-orange robes with gold borders stands at night, raising a silver aarti lamp with a large flame in his right hand while holding a silver kalasha-style vessel in his left. A rudraksha-style beaded garland with gold ornaments hangs on his chest. Seated devotees behind him, including women in saris and a few head-covered or fair-haired attendees, look up and clap. A white board with colourful printed graphics and a parked vehicle appear in the dim background.2011-10-05Outdoor night ritual at a brick-lined fire pit (homa/yagna) on a green mat. A bald man in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl, with a sacred thread and sandalwood tilak on his forehead, stands holding a brass oil lamp (aarti) over the flames. A second bald priest in white clothes sits to the left beside offerings, a kalasha and banana leaves. Around 25 seated devotees in white, yellow and orange clothes sit on white plastic chairs facing the fire, some with hands folded in prayer. Rangoli floor designs and a tripod camera appear at the edges.2010-12-16October 05 20112011-10-05February 11 20072007-02-11A shaved-headed man in an orange saffron dhoti and shawl with gold trim sits cross-legged on a green mat, holding a silver lamp with a bright open flame in his right hand and a silver handbell in his left. A long beaded necklace hangs on his chest and he has white sacred ash markings on his forehead and arms. Before him on the ground are brick-like blocks garlanded with yellow flowers, fruit, a silver plate of offerings and a kolam pattern. Seated behind him in white clothes, devotees sit on white chairs with hands folded in prayer, indicating a puja ritual. a person cues: saffron clothing with gold trim, beaded ceremonial necklace and a central ritual role, with the man performing the aarti.2010-12-16Night photo of an outdoor fire ritual on a raised yellow platform with a square fire pit filled with ash and surrounded by white and yellow flower garlands. A man in a flowing orange-saffron robe, with a shaved head, a beaded necklace and a long wooden staff, stands at the back holding a silver fire vessel aloft with flames rising from it. Around him, white-clad men and women sit and stand, some with hands joined, and a line of seated devotees fills the background under dim lamps. Coloured canopy umbrellas and smoke frame the scene. Other people wear white dhotis, saris and shawls, with orange stoles on some.2007-02-11January 08 20122012-01-08