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Night procession at a temple. In the left foreground a bare-chested man with long swept-back dark hair and an orange cloth wrapped at his waist holds up a lamp or ritual vessel toward the crowd. Behind him, two large multicolored umbrellas with tasselled edges and lotus motifs shelter the scene, and smoke drifts above. On the right, a decorated deity palanquin or ratha with a colourful garlanded arch frames two carved deity murti. Devotees in white dhotis and shirts, some with folded hands in anjali, cheer and press forward along the procession route.

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December 23 20062006-12-23 +2 copiesDecember 23 20062006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23 +1 copiesNight procession at an ashram with a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and saris moving between rows of white crosses-like wooden posts. At centre, a palanquin-style deity murti decorated with a colourful multi-coloured garland arch is carried under a large ornate umbrella in red, blue and gold with a printed emblem. A bare-chested priest in orange cloth walks ahead holding a torch, while a woman in an orange-bordered sari carries a silver vessel and others in orange shawls follow. Flaming torches are held up on both sides. A portion of a shaved-headed man in white is in the foreground. Several people are visible; the crowd beyond is dense.2006-12-23Night procession at a KAILASA temple with a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and shirts. Several large umbrellas with multicolored tassels and the printed name Dhyanapeetam stand above the crowd. At center a decorated palanquin or ratha with a rainbow-striped arched canopy and a deity murti is carried forward. Silver trishul staffs are held upright on both sides, and some men in orange shawls and an unclothed bare-chested man with long hair walk among the bearers. Spectators line the left edge behind a rail, with many hands raised in folded-palm greeting.2006-12-23Night procession with a bare-backed man in orange cloth in the foreground, seen from behind, long dark hair falling to his shoulders, holding a brass oil lamp aloft with one hand while a second hand raises a ceremonial staff. Behind him, crowds of men and women in white dhotis and shirts clap and smile with palms pressed together. Multicoloured ceremonial umbrellas with tasselled fringe shelter the scene. At right, a deity murti is decorated with garlands and sits under a large arched canopy with a red, green and yellow fringe and gold-tipped ornamentation. Smoke or incense haze hangs in the air.2006-12-23Night procession at an outdoor temple event. In the left foreground a man with long, loose dark hair and bare back, wearing an orange-saffron dhoti, holds a brass lamp or aarti vessel with flame toward a crowd. A decorated ratha or palanquin on the right carries deity murti figures framed by a ring of colourful striped padding and bulbs. Overhead, a multicoloured canopy with tassels shelters the procession. Men in white dhotis and shirts with maroon towels around their necks stand with palms pressed together in greeting, some smiling. Night sky above.2006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23 +2 copies