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Night photograph of a row of saffron-robed monks seated on steps during a ritual, most with shaved heads, sacred ash marks on foreheads and arms, and rudraksha malas. They sit with palms pressed together in anjali mudra, and in front of them stand black stone Shiva lingams on pedestals with brass bowls beside them. Behind them, coloured lights, a red flag, golden decorations and a canopy frame the scene.

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Night outdoor ceremony with a long row of saffron-robed sannyasis seated on a stone step, many with shaved heads, rudraksha malas and white ash markings on their arms and chests, palms pressed together in prayer. Black stone lingams stand in front of them, with brass vessels nearby. Behind them, a colourful striped canopy and a decorated ratha-style structure, with string lights and flags. A few women in maroon saris and men in white dhotis stand in the background.2016-12-23A night-time gathering of young, shaved-headed sannyasi-style devotees in saffron-orange dhotis sits in rows on tiered seating lined with black and gold kalasha-shaped vessels. Several wear rudraksha malas and bare upper bodies with white and red markings on the arms and chest. Many have palms raised and open in prayer or chanting, and their faces show focused devotion. Behind them stand a metal fence and blue-lit structure. The scene resembles a satsang or puja observance.2016-12-23Night ceremony on stepped stone ghats lit by bright floodlights, with rows of saffron-robed men seated along the steps. Many shaved-headed monks wear orange dhotis, rudraksha malas and gold chains, and raise their hands in anjali or prayer gesture. Dark black lingam stones on tall bases are arranged on the steps, with brass pots and vessels in front. Behind them, colourful festival flags, strings of lights and a multicoloured canopy stand over the scene. Devotees in purple and pink saris sit at the lower right, one bowing.2016-12-23Photo of a large outdoor evening ceremony with many devotees seated on tiered red-brick steps. Rows of men in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, with rudraksha mala necklaces and white vibhuti marks on their foreheads and bodies, sit with hands pressed in anjali and clap. Black ceremonial shiva lingas sit on the steps in front of them, with brass kalasha-style pots and brass vessels among them. Blurred people in the foreground and seated figures in white dhotis behind complete the scene, with string lights and a decorated backdrop above.2016-12-23Night outdoor ritual on a tiered stone stepped platform lit by bright white floodlights. Rows of saffron-orange robed sadhus with shaved heads, white tilak markings and rudraksha malas sit with palms pressed together in prayer, several with hands raised in anjali. Black stone shivalingams stand on the steps in front of them, interspersed with brass kalashas and brass vessels. Behind, a white-clad priest stands with arms extended near the steps, and a multicoloured canopy and strings of lights and flags frame the scene. a person candidate not clearly identifiable among the seated group.2016-12-23Night outdoor photo of a row of shaved-headed men in orange and saffron robes seated on a red-brick ledge, several with bare upper bodies and rudraksha malas, clapping or pressing palms together. Many wear white horizontal tilak marks on their foreheads and arms. Black Shivalinga stones with brass kalasha-style vessels line the front edge, and festive string lights and yellow garlands decorate the stepped stage behind. The scene suggests a satsang or ritual gathering with seated priests and devotees, and no clearly identifiable a person figure is evident in the foreground rows.2016-12-23Night ritual scene with rows of saffron-robed men seated on a tiered stone platform, many with shaved heads and white tilak marks, rudraksha malas and bangles, palms raised in devotion as they chant. Rows of black stone Shivalingams with brass vessels and lamps sit along the steps in front of them. Colourful strings of lights, flags and a striped canopy frame the evening abhishekam setting.2016-12-23Night outdoor photo of a row of saffron-robed sannyasis seated on a stone platform, clapping with raised hands. Several shaved-headed men wear orange and maroon dhotis and shawls, some with tripundra vibhuti marks, rudraksha malas and bracelets. Small black shivalingas with brass bases sit in the foreground. Strings of lights and orange and red flags decorate the background.2016-12-23December 23 20162016-12-23Night photograph of a large group of saffron-robed sannyasis seated in rows on red-brick steps, many with bare shaved heads and white tilak markings on their chests, wearing rudraksha malas and gold bangles, palms raised together in prayer. Rows of black stone Shiva lingams and brass pots and bowls sit on the steps in front, with bright floodlights and strings of colourful flags overhead. A multicoloured canopy stands on the right. A woman in a dark saree sits at the lower right edge. Several figures wear saffron cloth and one prominent man is seated in the middle row, but no individual can be confidently identified as a person from appearance.2016-12-23Night photograph of a long row of male devotees seated on steps in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, many bare-chested with white ash markings, rudraksha malas and beaded necklaces, palms pressed together in namaskar while gazing forward. Several have shaved heads; some wear glasses. Bronze kalasha vessels and brass lamps sit at the front of the steps. Behind them stands a multi-coloured illuminated festival structure with strings of lights and a red-and-yellow flagged canopy. No individual can be confidently identified as a person from appearance alone.2016-12-23Night photo of a large outdoor ritual on stone steps lit by bright floodlights. Dozens of devotees in saffron and orange robes, many bare-chested with white and ochre markings and rudraksha malas, sit in rows with hands folded in prayer. Black stone lingams and brass kalashas or lamps are placed on the steps. A decorated multicoloured canopy stands at right, and a woman in a dark orange sari stands near it. Strings of flags and lights decorate the fence behind.2016-12-23