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Night photograph of a fire ritual on a sandy open ground. A large bonfire of bamboo and wooden poles blazes in the centre. A bare-chested man in a dark red dhoti lunges forward on the right, raising a long bamboo pole overhead with both hands. Another man in white dhoti stands at left near a second pole, and a further figure in red cloth stands beside the flames. To the right, a line of people in white clothes watches, and illuminated decorated chariots or palanquins glow in the background under electric lights.

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Night photograph of a large, bright fire blazing on a sandy ground beside a rectangular wooden frame of logs, with thick smoke rising above. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and shawl stands at right, raising a long pole or torch high overhead toward the fire. Several other men in orange and red garments stand at left, some holding poles, near the flames. At right, a line of people in white traditional clothing watches. Behind them, illuminated decorated chariots or palanquins with lights glow in the dark, and strings of coloured lights hang at left.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a large bonfire on a sandy open ground, flames rising high beside a wooden frame of poles. A man in an orange-red dhoti and bare upper body stands to the right, raising a long stick above his head near the fire. Several other men in orange and red dhotis stand around the blaze, and a crowd in white dhotis and white clothing watches from the right and left edges. Behind them are illuminated ornate processional palanquins or chariots decorated with red, gold and white lights, and a canopy structure with strings of coloured lights. The scene suggests a fire ritual performed during an outdoor festival procession.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a fire ritual on a sandy open ground. A large bonfire of bright flames and dark smoke burns inside a bamboo frame. A man in an orange-red dhoti and matching upper cloth leaps high beside the fire, holding a long wooden staff raised overhead. Several other men in orange-red clothing stand around the fire, one with arms raised. Spectators in white dhotis and white clothes line the right edge, some with hands folded. In the background are illuminated chariots or ornate processional structures with lights and fairy lights strung across the ground.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a large fire blazing in an open courtyard, with a bamboo frame beneath it. Several men in red and maroon dhotis and bare upper bodies lift long spears or staffs overhead on the left and right, moving near the flames. Behind them, people in white dhotis and shirts stand in a loose crowd, and illuminated decorations, a lit pillar and ornate festival structures glow in the background. Smoke rises from the fire into the dark sky. The scene resembles a ritual fire ceremony, but the exact rite is not clear from the image alone. No individual can be confidently identified as a person.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night outdoor scene at a temple-style festival ground. A large bonfire blazes in a bamboo frame at centre, sending up smoke. Around it, several men in saffron-orange and red dhotis with bare upper bodies hold tall wooden staffs topped with trishula (trident) and small flags; one holds a staff with a decorated pennant. On the right, a man lifts a trident-topped staff with a decorated ornament. Behind them, a crowd in white clothes watches, with coloured lights strung in the background.2016-01-02