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Night procession at a temple, with a crowd of men in white dhotis and shirts pulling or following a decorated deity palanquin topped with a colourful fringed arch of green, yellow, red and white garlands and flame-like lamps. A bare-backed figure with long dark hair and an orange cloth draped over the shoulders in the left foreground holds a brass bell-shaped vessel toward the crowd. Two large multicoloured umbrellas with tasselled fringes and a white dove emblem shade the procession. Several men in white clothing clap and raise their hands in devotion, and some wear orange shawls. Lit oil lamps on tall brass stands are visible at right. The deity murti sits within the palanquin, adorned with garlands.

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December 23 20062006-12-23 +2 copiesDecember 23 20062006-12-23Night 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.2006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23 +1 copiesNight procession with a decorated deity murti carried on a palanquin-like float under a colourful umbrella canopy with a rainbow-coloured arch of tassels and peacock-style fringe. An umbrella panel reads Dhyanapeetam. Devotees in white garments and orange shawls walk alongside, some holding flaming torches and brass lamps, while women in white saris and orange wraps stand at the sides with folded hands. A bare-backed man in an orange cloth leads near the front holding a fire torch. Wooden poles and white painted frames stand in the background.2006-12-23Night 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.2006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23 +2 copiesNight 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 at a temple-style event. In the foreground, a bare-backed man with long dark hair and an orange cloth draped over his shoulder holds a brass vessel, facing away from the camera toward the crowd. Around him, many men in white dhotis and shirts press together, several with palms joined in namaskar, smiling and celebrating. A man in a red shirt stands at centre with hands pressed together. Behind them, two colourful umbrellas with tassels and dove emblems are held aloft over the procession. At right, an ornate ratha or palanquin decorated with multicoloured garlands and a gilded canopy carries a deity murti adorned with garlands and gold ornaments. Several people in orange cloths stand at the left edge.2006-12-23December 23 20062006-12-23Night procession at an ashram with a large crowd in white and orange clothing. At the centre, a decorated palanquin or deity float with a colourful arched canopy of pink, green and yellow bands and peacock-feather style ornaments carries a deity murti. A tall ornate silver trident stands in front, and a red-and-multicolour umbrella with tassels is held overhead. Devotees in white dhotis and saffron shawls walk alongside, a bare-backed man in an orange cloth is at centre, and a woman in pink sari stands at right. Thatched huts and a tiled building are visible behind the crowd.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.2006-12-23