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Night-time photograph of a Karthikai Deepam lamp ritual in an outdoor courtyard. A large circular tiered stone structure is filled with lit oil lamps in the centre, and rows of small lamps glow along the walls and paths behind. A tall bamboo-like pole stands near the group. Around the lamps, about a dozen people in white and cream clothing sit on mats in meditative or ritual postures, while a single woman in white sits near the central structure. At the left foreground, a small statue of a deity figure with red adornment and flowers sits on a pedestal beside a low plant bed. A small sacred fire burns with offerings, plates and a brass vessel placed nearby.

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December 11 20082008-12-11Night photograph of a Karthikai Deepam lamp ritual outdoors. A tiered white stepped structure is ringed with many lit oil lamps, and a tall pole stands at its centre. Several people in white and cream clothes sit cross-legged on the ground around it. A seated figure in white at the centre-right faces the platform, and a figure in a cream shawl kneels at the right beside small lamps and offerings. Flames rise from a fire pit at left near a basket of flowers and offerings. Strings of lamps glow along a wall in the background.2008-12-11A night-time outdoor ritual photographed from above at an earthen ground with a tall bamboo pole. A central tiered circular platform is ringed with many lit oil lamps, and a separate small fire burns on a low stone ledge beside a green plant. Several people sit on the ground in white and light-coloured clothing around the scene. One seated person near the centre wears a white shawl and sits behind a metal plate and offerings. On the left, a deity murti or doll-like figure in red and white dress sits on a plinth beside a red box and flowers. Flaming torches stand at the right edge.2008-12-11December 11 20082008-12-11Night photograph of a Karthikai Deepam lamp ceremony in an outdoor courtyard. Rows of small oil lamps glow along the ground and walls. In the centre, a tiered circular platform is ringed with lit lamps. Three men in light white kurtas and dhotis stand at the platform, holding lit oil lamps and flames aloft in ritual gesture. A man in a white shirt and cloth sits in the background among the lamps. Potted plants and a dark tree stand at the right edge. A tall lamp post with a bright light rises at centre. The scene is dim and warm, lit mainly by flames and lamps.2008-12-11Night photograph of an outdoor Karthikai Deepam lamp ritual at an ashram. A figure in white robes stands on a raised platform holding a lit lamp, with flames rising from a circular arrangement of oil lamps set on a low stone base. A tall figure in a long light garment stands in the foreground beside a tall pole. Small lamps glow along a planter and a stone ledge, and a row of seated devotees in white clothing sits in the darkness at right. A low white building and a flagpole appear in the background. The scene is lit almost entirely by the flames.2008-12-11A night-time outdoor ritual gathering with a large crowd seated on the ground in rows. Many participants wear white clothes, and some women wear saris in purple and maroon. Each person sits behind a small square brick enclosure holding a brass oil lamp or fire pot with a flame, and some hold incense sticks or offering items. A tall street lamp and a stage light stand at the edges, with a dark field of people extending into the background. A purple bird logo appears at the upper left and copyright text overlays the lower centre.2007-11-18December 11 20082008-12-11December 11 20082008-12-11December 11 20082008-12-11Night photograph of a Karthikai Deepam lamp ritual in an outdoor courtyard. A ring of lit oil lamps surrounds a circular stone platform in the foreground. A man in white clothes holds a lit lamp aloft near a wooden pole, while another figure in white stands at right beside a tall lamp post. Strings of small lamps glow along a dark roofline behind them, and potted plants sit at the right edge. A few other people are partly visible in the dark at left and centre.2008-12-11December 11 20082008-12-11