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A Pongal ritual on bare earth under an open pavilion. In the foreground, a kolam of white rangoli lines surrounds a pair of earthen pots with marigold garlands and a bundle of sugarcane. A brick hearth with a clay pot sits in the centre of the courtyard, decorated with yellow flower garlands. Four men in saffron-orange dhotis and sashes stand or kneel by the offering tables; one kneels and lights a lamp on the ritual platter, while others stand with hands folded. A woman in orange stands with palms pressed together. On the left, a man in a red-brown robe with a maroon turban and layered bead and flower garlands stands with hands folded beside a red carpet, with a young girl in white and several other people in orange behind him. Trays of bananas, fruit and offerings sit on striped mats, and a saffron banner with a bird emblem hangs at upper right.

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January 14 20182018-01-14A Pongal ritual in an open-sided pavilion at an adheenam. On the sandy floor, clay pots with brass lids and yellow marigold garlands sit beside a white kolam rangoli design. A clay stove with a bronze pot is ringed by flowers. A standing man in a maroon dhoti and maroon shawl, wearing a long garland and gold necklaces, holds his hands together. Men in saffron cloth and rudraksha malas stand at the right, one tending brass lamps. Leaves on the left hold banana, fruit and sweets offerings. Women in saffron and white and children stand at the left edge. A saffron flag hangs on the right pillar.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14Pongal celebration outdoors under an open pavilion at a temple site. A man in a maroon-brown dhoti and a red-and-white turban stands with palms joined in namaskar, wearing a long white flower garland and heavy gold-toned necklaces. Behind him, a line of devotees in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand with hands folded, and a white-clad man and women in colourful saris also join. Two women in orange saris on the right hold offering plates. On the ground, a kolam of white rangoli patterns is outlined in yellow marigold garlands. Clay pots filled with flowers, a pineapple, bananas, a brass lamp, and trays of rose petals and fruit sit on striped mats. Three stacked clay-brick hearths with sugarcane and flower decoration form the Pongal cooking area. Drummers in orange stand behind, and a striped ceremonial umbrella stands at the top. Roughly 25 to 30 people are visible.2018-01-14Outdoor pavilion with a red floor cloth, leafy bamboo and mango-leaf decorations, and a mud-plastered ground. A man in a maroon-brown dhoti with a saffron-red turban and a marigold garland stands at left, while saffron-robed attendants and a bare-chested man in orange cloth tend the ritual area. Several clay pots with leaf-wrapped rims sit on flower-strewn mud platforms beside a white kolam design and bananas, fruit and offerings on banana leaves. At right, a decorated altar holds flowers, oil lamps and a row of silver-toned items, with saffron-and-white triangular banners hanging on the posts.2018-01-14Outdoor pongal-style ritual in an open-sided pavilion with a red-and-white metal roof, garlanded wooden gateway and marigold garlands. On the ground, large dark clay pots with banana leaves and yellow flower garlands surround a kolam floor design, with bananas, sugarcane and offerings nearby. Several men in saffron-orange robes stand in a line by the entrance, one bending over the offerings. At left, a woman in a maroon sari with gold-trimmed jewellery and flower garland stands near the stove. At right, a man in orange robes with a bare arm holds a microphone, and a camera on a tripod is visible. Five people are visible in total.2018-01-14A photograph of a Pongal celebration in an open-sided pavilion. Saffron-robed sannyasis and women in orange saris stand on a red mat around a clay pot sun offering, with a kolam of white rice flour and flower garlands on the ground. A man in a maroon robe and gold-bead necklace, with a red turban and flower garland, stands at left with hands joined. A bare-chested sannyasi with rudraksha beads stands with palms together, while a woman kneels to arrange brass plates, bananas, sugarcane, and offerings on a striped cloth. Clay pots, a brass lamp stand, and a saffron banner with a bird emblem complete the scene. Visible people number about ten.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14 +1 copiesOutdoor Pongal-style ritual in a covered courtyard. A large white kolam with floral border sits on the earth, surrounded by yellow and red marigold garlands, clay pots with mango leaves and coconuts, pineapples, bananas and brass plates of offerings. Saffron-robed sannyasis and women in orange and red saris stand and bow with hands folded. A standing man in a red-and-gold turban, gold necklaces and a garland on the left looks on. In the right foreground a saffron-clad man lies prostrate on a striped mat. Brass lamps and a decorated ceremonial umbrella with a kalasha emblem stand at right. Approximately ten people are visible.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14