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Night photograph of a large open fire blazing on sand in an outdoor ground, with a wooden frame of crossed poles beneath it. Several men stand around the fire holding long bamboo poles and staffs raised overhead, some in white dhotis and shirts, others in red-orange cloth. Behind them a crowd in white clothing stands at the edge of the ground, and strings of coloured lights and a decorated palanquin or ratha with a deity murti are visible at the sides. Smoke rises into the dark sky.

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January 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 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of an outdoor ritual ground where a large bonfire burns beside a wooden frame of bamboo poles. A figure in white dhoti and shawl stands near the flames holding a long staff, while another person in white stands behind. Illuminated decorated chariot or float with deity figures appears at left, and a decorated ratha-like structure with colourful ornaments stands at right. A lit pavilion and a crowd of people in white and gold-bordered clothing stand along the background. Strings of coloured lights decorate the scene.2016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02Night photograph of a large bonfire on sandy ground, with tall flames rising from a wooden frame. Several men in white dhotis and orange-yellow garments stand around the fire, one raising a long pole overhead. Dark-robed attendants with a long staff move at the left edge. Behind them, a lit deity murti or float with illuminated figures and garlands is visible, along with people in white clothes and a row of decorated poles with colourful lights at the right.2016-01-02Night photograph of a large bonfire blazing on a bed of stacked wooden logs on bare ground. Several people in white dhotis and white garments move around the fire, some carrying long staffs and a trident-like tool with ornate metal ends. Other figures stand in the dark background, some raising arms. Flames and sparks dominate the frame, and motion blur shows the dancing or ritual movement of the group.2010-11-11Night-time outdoor photograph of a firewalking or fire-ritual scene on a dirt road. A large bonfire of burning logs and flames sends sparks upward, with a row of wooden poles laid across the ground in front. On the right, men in white dhotis with red sashes stand holding long wooden staffs and poles. Behind the fire, a crowd of onlookers in white and checked shirts, some in white dhotis, watches, with one man raising his arm. The motion blur suggests movement through the scene. No individual can be reliably identified as a person from appearance, so no candidate is claimed.2010-11-11