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Outdoor ritual homa or yagna under a corrugated tin shelter with palm fronds, the ground arranged with rows of white brick-like fire-pit blocks and brass vessels. A central figure in saffron-orange robes with a white flower garland stands barefoot among the pits, appearing to be the officiant. Around him, devotees in white dhotis and sarees, some women in orange, stand with hands folded or kneel and sit on mats. A white banner in the background shows a portrait and text, and a decorated backdrop with a deity image, garlands and red-and-pink hangings frames the scene. Brass lamps and offerings lie on the ground.

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December 25 20062006-12-25Outdoor ritual ground under a tarpaulin canopy with palm fronds and coconut palms. A man in an orange-saffron robe with a white and red flower garland walks forward through the centre. He appears as a person candidate, with short dark hair and a garland, though the image is not clear enough to be certain. Around him, women in white and cream saris with gold borders stand with folded hands at several white-brick square altars with brass bowls, small oil lamps and offerings. Behind them a white banner with a printed date and portrait, and a decorated stage with red and pink flower garlands on the right. Several people in white and orange clothes stand in the background.2006-12-25A open-sided temple pavilion with a white tarpaulin backdrop and palm fronds overhead shows a homa in progress. Several people in white ritual clothes sit on mats around low brick fire pits, while one man in saffron orange cloth kneels at the front left to make an offering. A large banner reads Sri Anandeshwar Temple Maha Kumbhabhisheka on 1st January 2007, 6 am, with a portrait of a man with an orange turban and a shaved head printed on it. Behind them, a decorated altar holds small deity murtis beneath a multicoloured arch, with a sitting figure in orange near the centre. Devotees, including children and a woman in a green sari, stand and watch in the crowd on the right, and smoke rises from the fire pits.2006-12-24A photograph of an open-sided pandal at an outdoor ashram ritual site with a dirt floor and palm trees. Rows of white-clad people sit on mats before rectangular brick-like fire pits built from white blocks, with dry sticks and offering plates laid out. Many participants wear white robes; a woman in a cream sari stands at centre and others in white and patterned garments move between rows. Garlands of yellow and orange flowers hang from the posts, and pink and blue balloons are tied at the left edge. A banner at the back shows a bearded figure's portrait with printed text for a Maha kumbhabhishekam, and a decorated shrine with a deity murti sits at the rear beside a draped table. The crowd is large but not all individuals are clearly distinct.2006-12-24Outdoor ritual under a tin-roofed pavilion with orange flags, a banner reading "Maha kumbabhisheka" beside a portrait labelled "Sri Nithyananda", and palm trees behind. Many devotees, mostly women and girls in white saris and white clothing, sit on mats in rows on the ground, with white brick-like blocks marking the floor. On a raised dais, a pyramid of kalasha pots and offerings stands before a deity murti framed by an ornate arch, and priests in white dhotis sit performing the puja. Pink and red drapes decorate the side. A homa or puja with pots is in progress, and a man in saffron robes sits in a chair near the altar.2006-12-29A photograph of an outdoor homa ceremony under a corrugated roof and tarpaulin canopy, with palm trees and bunting visible. Rows of people sit on mats in white and cream clothes, several women in blue, pink and yellow saris, with brass vessels and pots placed before them. White brick-like blocks arranged in rows mark the ground. At the front, a central altar holds a kalasha pot, a deity murti and small figures, flanked by a decorated arch. A banner above shows a portrait labelled "Sri Anandeshwar Temple Maha kumbhabhisheka" with an event date. Behind the altar, a standing figure in orange robes appears near a tall decorated stand. A small sign on the right reads "This day goes to Seattle".2006-12-29Outdoor homa ceremony under a corrugated tin canopy beside palm trees, with bunting and red-and-white draped cloth around the stage. Dozens of devotees sit on mats in white and pastel clothes, many women in saris and some in white dhotis, before rows of white brick fire pits (kundas) filled with dry sticks and offerings in brass bowls. Behind them a raised stage holds a large mound of offerings, a decorated kalasha-like arrangement, and deity murti statues. Garlands of yellow and red flowers hang on the right side near a seated officiant in white. A banner on the backdrop shows a portrait of a saffron-robed man with a printed caption reading Mahaabhisheka and a 2007 date.2006-12-29A photograph of an open-sided temple pavilion with a corrugated metal roof and palm trees behind it. A large vinyl banner hangs on the back wall reading "Sri Anandeshwar temple" and "Kumbhabhishekam" with a portrait labelled "Paramahamsa Nithyananda" showing a smiling man in an orange turban and saffron clothing. Below it, a decorated altar holds deity murtis and a golden ornate structure. Several people in white dhotis and orange-saffron shawls stand and kneel near the altar, one kneeling in orange clothing with a pot before them. Children in white school-style uniforms and other devotees in white stand in a crowd along the right side, with a videographer filming near the back right.2006-12-24Outdoor ritual in a open-sided canopy with palm trees and red-and-white draped fabric. Many people in white clothes sit on mats in rows around a ritual area marked with white stone blocks, a fire pit, and offerings. A central ornate arch and decorated altar hold deity murti and a kalasha with coconuts, with a small ritual fire at the front. A large banner shows a portrait labelled "Sri Nithyananda Paramashivam" and text about a Maha Kumbhabhisheka on 1 January 2007 at Dhyanapeetam, Bidadi. A man in an orange turban and orange clothing with rudraksha malas stands near the arch, with a person candidate present in the scene.2006-12-29A photograph of an outdoor ritual pavilion with a corrugated roof and palm trees, decorated with mango-leaf and marigold garlands. A banner reads Sri Anandeshwar Temple, Maha kumbabhishekam on 1st January 2007, 6 am, with a portrait of a bearded man with a saffron-robed figure. Many people in white clothes sit on mats behind small white brick-like blocks arranged in rows, with some in saffron robes and a few children in bright clothes. A decorated arched shrine with a deity murti and a kalasha stands at the back, with flower garlands and pink and orange balloons at the left edge.2006-12-24An outdoor ritual gathering under a open-sided canopy at an ashram site, with many people seated on the sand in white clothes. Rows of seated devotees, mostly women in white saris and some men in white dhotis, face a raised platform. Near the front a white-clad person sits in a pit of small white brick-like stones. At the back a seated figure in orange robes with a garland sits before a decorated stage under a banner bearing a portrait labelled with a printed name. A large decorated deity murti and a tall heap of kumkum-dusted offerings stand by the stage; a sign on the right reads "This deity goes to Seattle." Red and maroon drapes and palm leaves frame the scene.2006-12-29A photograph of an outdoor ritual homa under a tent canopy with palm trees behind. Many people in white clothes sit on mats around rows of white brick-like fire pits, some holding brass vessels and offerings. Priests in white and saffron-coloured shawls tend the fire at left and centre. A decorated deity murti with a rainbow arch sits on a tiered platform at left, and a banner at upper left shows a portrait with a Maha Kumbhabhisheka notice. Red and purple pennants hang across the tent, and draped maroon fabric lines the back. A portrait of a seated figure in saffron garb is placed on a throne-like seat at the right, though the image is too small to confirm the identity of anyone shown.2006-12-29