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Photograph of a group of men gathered on a concrete floor at night during a ritual. In the centre, a man with long dark hair wears an orange saffron shawl and holds a small metal vessel in one hand while lifting a brass lamp with a flame in the other. Around him, several men in white dhotis and white kurtas, many with orange shawls, stand with palms pressed together in prayer or hold a flame-lit lamp. One man on the left wears a rudraksha mala, another on the right in white with orange shawl has his hands joined. A dark wet patch on the floor sits in front of the group, and the edge of a white-clad figure appears at the top. The scene suggests a consecration rite; the lamp is the visible ritual object.

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Photograph taken from above of a group of devotees in white dhotis and white kurtas, several wearing saffron-orange shawls draped over their shoulders, standing around a dark square pit in a stone-floored sanctum. A single small flame burns at the centre of the pit, which appears to hold dark liquid. On the right, a figure with long, swept-back dark hair wears a plain orange-saffron robe and bows his head toward the pit with hands at his sides. Other white-clad devotees stand with hands folded in prayer on the left, and an elderly man kneels in the lower left corner with palms pressed together. Bare feet are visible on the stone floor.2006-12-11A 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 night-time photograph of a ritual at a stone-walled pit. A long-haired figure in a saffron-orange robe holds a flaming camphor or ritual flame over a brass vessel, with a small brass cup nearby. Around him, several men in white dhotis and white shirts with orange shawls stand with palms pressed together in prayer. A man with a full beard and curly hair at lower right and a seated devotee in a beige shirt with a tray and cloth at upper right are also visible. Flame light illuminates the scene, and a camera operator is visible at the bottom edge. The people in the foreground are kneeling or standing in prayer, while devotees watch from the stone steps above. A low, dim stone enclosure shapes the background, consistent with a sanctum-related ritual space.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 copiesNight 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 inside a dim stone chamber during a temple consecration ritual. A man in a long-sleeved saffron-orange garment stands centrally with long dark hair, holding a brass lamp with a bright flame in one hand and a brass bell in the other. Around him, a ring of devotees in white dhotis and kurtas with orange shawls stands with palms pressed together in anjali. A camera on a tripod is in the lower left foreground, and a stone ledge with a tray of offerings is visible at the top right. The setting resembles a sanctum with rough stone walls.2006-12-11A photograph inside a stone-walled sunken sanctum with a camera operator visible at lower left. A central figure in a long orange robe with long dark hair holds a brass vessel and a lit camphor flame over a small brass lamp, performing a ritual. Around them, several men in white dhotis and white shirts with orange shawls sit or kneel with palms pressed together in prayer. One bearded man at lower right wears an orange shawl and clasps his hands. Behind them, further people in orange and white sit on stone steps with hands raised in folded-palm gestures, and a small brass pot and tray rest on a wooden board at right. The scene suggests an aarti performed during a consecration.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 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 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.2006-12-11A dim, unfinished concrete chamber with a bare grey wall. In the right foreground a long-haired man in an orange robe sits cross-legged on the floor with his hands extended toward a small brass or metal plate set into the floor. Five younger men stand or crouch around him in white kurta-style clothing with orange shawls draped over their shoulders, looking down or upward attentively. One man at the lower centre bends forward with an open hand reaching toward the floor opening.2006-12-11