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Photograph of a youth initiation or homa-style ritual at dusk. In the foreground, a seated figure in an orange-red sleeveless top with a white, green and purple flower garland sits on a low stone platform, his back to the camera, and is receiving a boy in a pale yellow polo shirt who bends forward and holds his hands together. Around them, a crowd of boys and young men stands and watches; several wear white kurtas, orange shawls and rudraksha-style necklaces. Two men at upper right raise cameras. At left, a person in a red and orange checked lungi stands. Marigold petals and a brass vessel lie on the platform.

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A seated figure in an orange dhoti and red sleeveless top, with long dark hair and a white-and-orange flower garland, holds hands with a young boy in a blue-and-white striped shirt who kneels before him. Behind them, standing and seated youths in white shirts and orange shawls watch, and a man in a white shirt films with a handheld camcorder. A woman in a red top and yellow-green checked skirt stands at the left edge. Flower petals and a brass-like plate lie on the stone platform in front.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25A photograph of an indoor ritual gathering with a crowd of children and youths in white shirts and a girl in a green silk dress with gold necklaces. In the foreground a seated figure with long dark hair wears a red sleeveless top and a white-and-multicolour flower garland, bending toward a kneeling boy in a blue-and-purple checked shirt with a rudraksha mala who holds his hands together. A white stone platform with flower offerings and small lamps lies in front. Behind them, a man in an orange shawl and white clothes holds a video camera, another person in white and orange photographs, and a small child and a ceiling fan are visible; paper streamers hang on the wall. The figure in red is shown from behind, so the appearance cues needed to identify a person are not clearly visible.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25Indoor photo of a ritual gathering in a plain white-walled room with a ceiling fan and small coloured paper decorations. A seated person in a red sleeveless top and white flower garland, with a dark mala, is at the centre, facing a boy in a grey-and-navy shirt who reaches toward them and holds something small and red. Standing around them are children, a young woman in a red dress with a rudraksha-style necklace on the left, and adults in white clothes with orange shawls, one holding a camcorder. A low white platform with flowers sits in the foreground. a person's candidacy is unclear from appearance, so the seated figure is described only by role.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25A photograph of a fire-pit ritual at night. In the foreground, a long-haired figure in a sleeveless red-orange garment and white and purple flower garland sits on the ground beside a low brick hearth, holding hands with a young woman in a red top and gold bangles who bows her head. Smoke rises from the fire area and a yellow flower lies on the brick. Behind them, a crowd of boys and men in white shirts and orange shawls stands watching, and a man in the background holds up a video camera. A pedestal fan is visible at right. This appears to be a homa or initiation scene.2007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25December 25 20072007-12-25Indoor photograph of a youth initiation or blessing scene. A young girl in an orange and green silk dress with gold trim kneels and holds hands with a seated figure in a bright orange-red sleeveless top with a white and purple floral garland, who is holding a peacock-feather fan. Behind them, several boys in casual shirts, one in a striped blue shirt and one wearing a rudraksha-style mala, stand watching. Men in white kurtas with orange shawls stand at the back, and a small oil lamp and offerings sit on a low stone platform in the foreground. A white pedestal fan is visible on the right.2007-12-25A photograph of a ritual gathering indoors on a tatami-style mat floor. A young boy in a white collared shirt and a rudraksha mala stands with cupped hands, receiving something from a woman in a red sleeveless top wearing a white and orange flower garland. Men in orange shawls over white clothes sit and kneel nearby, and a standing man in an orange shawl and white kurta looks on. A woman in white with an orange shawl films with a handheld video camera. Several children and adults stand along the left side. A white electric fan and orange curtains are visible in the background. No identifiable a person figure is clearly visible.2007-12-25