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A photograph taken from above inside a small stone sanctum pit during a garbha consecration. A figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe with long dark hair stands barefoot at the centre, facing a sunken square chamber where a small brass or copper yantra-like object sits on the floor. Around him, a group of young men in white kurta-style clothes wear orange saffron shawls over their shoulders. One man at right holds a small brass bell and a bowl, another kneels with palms pressed together, and a man at left has hands folded near his face. A person at lower left holds a video camera. Stone walls and a wooden railing frame the scene. Roughly ten people are visible.

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Photograph of a night ritual inside a sunken stone pit or sanctum area. A central figure in a long saffron-orange robe, with long dark hair, holds a flaming oil lamp or camphor fire and a brass vessel while standing in the pit. Around them stand about eight young men in white dhotis and white kurtas with orange shawls draped over their shoulders, several with palms pressed together in prayer. One at the left holds a brass bowl of white offerings. A cameraman in a dark shirt with an orange garment films from the lower foreground. A brass tray and an offering plate rest on a wooden board at the upper right, and a folded cloth lies on the stone ledge. Bright light and fire glow mark a homa-style consecration.2006-12-11A night-time photograph of a sunken stone pit or garbha griha at a temple consecration. A central figure in an orange-saffron robe with long swept-back hair holds a lit flame, possibly camphor on a metal ladle, over a fire or offering. Beside him a white-clad priest with a metal vessel holds a bell-shaped pot. Around them, young men in white kurtas and dhotis with orange shawls stand with palms pressed together in prayer. Stone walls surround them, and a few devotees in white are seated along the upper ledge. Bamboo scaffolding and a small tray with offerings are visible at the edge.2006-12-11 +1 copiesA night ritual inside a stone-walled sunken sanctum pit. A man in a long saffron-orange robe with long, swept-back dark hair holds a brass lamp with a large open flame in one hand and a small brass vessel in the other, performing an aarti-style offering. Around him, several men in white dhotis and shirts with orange shawls stand with palms pressed together in anjali, some with clasped hands. Two men on the right wear white kurtas, one with a curly-haired head and beard. Along the top ledge, women in orange and white saris kneel and sit with hands folded, watching. A brass plate and small silver bowl rest on a wooden tray on the ledge, and a cameraman's camera is visible at the lower edge.2006-12-11A photograph taken from above of a ritual in a stone-walled pit or sunken sanctum. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl with long dark hair holds a brass lamp with a flame, offering it to a second man in white who holds a brass vessel. Around them, men in white dhotis and saffron-orange shawls stand with palms pressed together in prayer, and one bearded man kneels at the left. Two onlookers in white stand at the back, and a camera operator is visible at the bottom right. Stone steps and a brass plate with items are visible at the top edge.2006-12-11A dim, stone-walled sacred space shows a ritual in progress. A man in a long orange-saffron robe with long dark hair stands at center, holding a brass lamp with a flame and a small brass vessel, performing a fire ritual. Around him, a younger man in white clothes with a red-bordered dhoti and orange shawl stands with palms joined in prayer, and other young men in white garments with orange shawls stand and sit around the stone platform. Several bearded and clean-shaven men in white robes kneel or sit on the raised stone ledge in the background with hands folded. A square tray and a small brass dish rest on the ledge at right, and a camera operator is visible at lower right.2006-12-11A photograph of a temple garbha consecration in a stone-walled interior. A figure in an orange robe with long dark hair sits cross-legged on a square stone slab set into the floor, bending over it with hands working at the stone. Around the opening, several people in white dhotis and kurtas with orange shawls stand or kneel with heads bowed; one man in the centre holds a long dark staff and a rudraksha mala. In the top corner a small brass lamp holds a flame. The seated figure's identity cannot be determined from appearance, so no candidate is named and a person is unsure.2006-12-11A photograph taken from above inside a dim, unfinished stone chamber during a sacred ritual. A man in long dark wavy hair and an orange wrap stands at right, his hand reaching toward a small dark metal dish holding white substance held by a man in a beige sweater with his back to the camera. Two men in white kurta and orange shawls stand at left and bottom right, one bent forward with a hand near the dish. A low ornate inlaid wooden stool or peetha sits nearby on the floor. The scene suggests a consecration rite at a temple sanctum.2006-12-11A photograph of a sacred sanctum ritual in a stone-walled chamber. A long-haired man in an orange saffron shawl and robe stands barefoot, leaning forward with one hand gathering his shawl, looking down toward a small square opening in the floor. Beside him, a young man in a white kurta wears a white ID badge and folds his hands in reverence, while another in white holds a video camera. A man in white kneels at the lower right edge of the frame. Near the floor opening sits a folded white cloth and a brass-framed object with ornate detail. A brass oil lamp with a curved arm hangs at the top left. The scene suggests a garbha consecration in a sanctum. Four prominent people are visible, plus partial figures at the frame edges.2006-12-11Night ritual at a stone-lined sanctum area. A man in a saffron-orange shawl and robe, with long dark hair, holds a brass lamp with a large flame and a small brass vessel, smiling. Around him, young men in white dhotis and white kurtas wear orange shawls, several with hands pressed together in anjali. A man with a curly hair and beard stands at right, hands folded. At top right, seated devotees in white and saffron watch from the raised stone platform. A brass plate and a small mat sit at right. A camera and tripod are visible at the bottom edge. The scene looks like an aarti or puja at a garbha consecration.2006-12-11A photograph taken from above of a night-time ritual at a stone-floored shrine. A central figure with long, dark, swept-back hair and an orange garment kneels or squats on the floor, hands extended toward a small golden yantra-like object set on a copper plate atop a stone platform. Around him, several young men in white kurtas and orange shawls kneel or stand, one leaning forward to tend the object, another with a grey stone slab nearby. A white cloth lies beside the platform, and bamboo railing is visible in the lower corner. The setting appears to be a sanctum-style space with a brick wall behind. The scene is consistent with a consecration rite, and the central figure shows distinctive long hair and orange clothing cues, so this may be Swamiji (probable) performing the ritual.2006-12-11A dim, unfinished stone-walled chamber during a garbha consecration. A central figure in an orange robe with long, swept-back dark hair sits cross-legged on a low wooden stool, leaning forward toward a square stone base holding a brass yantra-style object covered in white cloth. Around him, young men in white kurtas with orange shawls kneel and bend close, one with hands raised over another's head. An older man in white dhoti with a maroon border stands at the right edge, hands folded.2006-12-11A photograph taken inside a dim, unfinished stone-walled room during a sanctum consecration. A long-haired figure in an orange cloth sits cross-legged on a grey stone slab set into a concrete floor, with bare feet, head bowed. Around them, men in white kurtas and dhotis with orange shawls stand or kneel with hands folded in reverence. A man at left holds a video camera on his shoulder. The scene looks like a garbha consecration with devotees gathered quietly.2006-12-11