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A ceremonial puja in an indoor hall. A man in a rust-red dhoti and shawl with a dark rudraksha mala holds a lit flame before a richly decorated deity murti draped in green and red silks and garlanded with yellow and red flowers. Behind him, several men in saffron-orange robes and turbans stand in a line, one holding a brass puja tray and another a vessel. At left, a fire pit with burning flames and offering plates sits on the floor, and a figure in white and red stands further back. Smoke rises through the scene.

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April 30 20152015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30A temple-style ritual in an indoor hall with dark curtains. A priest in a rust-brown dhoti with a gold border stands at right, facing a decorated deity murti framed by a gold arch, garlanded with white jasmine and yellow-red flower strands, and wafting smoke. Three young attendants in saffron-orange robes and orange turbans stand at left; one holds a silver bowl of rice and another a silver puja plate with a lamp. A gilded lion-shaped stand and ornate red-and-gold chair sit between them. Flower petals are scattered on the floor.2015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30A photo of a homa fire ritual in an ashram hall. A man in a rust-red dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala and glasses, bends over a square yellow-tinted fire pit, holding a small ladle over the flames. Around him, saffron-clad sannyasis with orange turbans stand or kneel with palms pressed together. Behind them, a seated figure in orange with garlands and a gold chest pendant sits on an ornate red and gold throne. Offerings sit on brass plates and bowls, with rice and marigold petals scattered, and a pink and green decorated deity murti stands to the right. The setting is a carpeted hall with a stair railing on the left.2015-04-30A homa fire ritual in a hall with a deity murti adorned with white and yellow flower garlands and gold ornaments on the right. In the centre, a standing priest with a shaved head and gold-bordered maroon-and-orange dhoti holds a small silver vessel above a burning fire, with smoke rising. He wears a rudraksha mala and red-and-gold bangles. Behind him, a seated figure in orange-and-maroon robes with a flower garland sits on a golden throne with a red-and-gold canopy. To the left, two seated figures in orange robes and orange turbans sit with palms joined in namaskar beside a silver bowl and wicker basket. On the right, a standing attendant in orange robes and an orange turban holds a ritual item. Offerings, brass pots, a kalasha and lamps surround the fire on a mat.2015-04-30May 17 20132013-05-17A photograph of a ritual at a fire pit with flames at the lower left. A bare-chested priest in rust-red dhoti and wrap stands at left holding a silver vessel with a lit flame. Seated on an ornate gold-and-red throne with striped red and gold backrest and gold lion-form armrests is a figure in saffron-orange robes with a red-and-white flower garland and a rudraksha mala, holding a ceremonial staff. Several saffron-clad attendants in orange head cloths sit with hands folded in namaste. Garlanded flowers, a silver vessel and brass items sit on the floor, and a decorated deity murti with flower garlands stands at right. Marigold petals are scattered on the floor.2015-04-30May 17 20132013-05-17A ritual puja before a decorated deity murti on an ornate golden throne-like shrine draped with yellow and white marigold garlands and a red-and-white floral backdrop. A man in a rust-orange turban and orange-brown dhoti, wearing red and white rudraksha-style malas and a gold pendant, stands at right holding a silver bowl and raising a small offering to the deity. Beside him a bald man in an orange-and-saffron garment pours from a bowl. Five women in red and maroon sarees, marigold garlands and bangles sit cross-legged on the left before a yellow brick-like fire pit with lit oil lamps, offerings and smoke rising. A decorated figure of a lion-supported deity stands on the far left. a person cues: the turbaned man wears distinctive rudraksha malas and ceremonial gold ornamentation, while the bald priest is a separate attendant.2015-10-21 +2 copiesA ritual puja in an indoor hall with gold and red thrones and a tiger-skin cloth. On the left, a bearded man in maroon robes with a long white flower garland holds a brass cup and touches his forehead with a stick of incense. Beside him a man in orange dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha mala and gold necklace holds a small bell. In front, a large flaming fire pit with a brass lamp and a marigold-and-rose-lined tray. On the right, a figure seated on a gold throne is draped in an orange-and-gold garment and heavily garlanded with red roses and yellow marigolds, wearing a crown-like headdress. A brass oil lamp stands nearby and a green backdrop completes the setting.2017-06-10