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Outdoors among tall coconut palms, a man in a white dhoti and white shawl walks barefoot across a long trench of glowing embers and grey ash, as a fire-walking ritual is performed. Lining both sides, a crowd of devotees in white kurtas, dhotis and cream sarees watch closely, many with hands raised or pressed together. On the left a woman in a white saree and a man in a bright green shirt stand near a decorated bamboo-pole rail, while on the right a drummer in white clothes plays a large drum and a young man in white with a red shawl stands by. A red-and-white striped structure and a sprawling palm grove form the background under bright sunlight.

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December 31 20082008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31Outdoors among palm trees, a young boy in white clothes walks barefoot across a shallow trench filled with pale stones and fire-heated coals, a firewalking rite, while carrying a large red and cream drum slung at his side. Along the edges, a row of people in white dhotis, kurtas and saris watch closely, and two people at left blow long black horns. Several bystanders stand near the pit, some wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces. Orange-tinted water lies at the far end of the pit and a red-and-white striped tent stands behind the crowd. The setting appears to be a festival procession ground with a dirt path.2008-12-31Outdoors under palm trees at a rural ashram site, devotees in white dhotis, mundus and white kurtas stand in two lines beside a long trench of glowing embers and coals. A woman in a long white robe walks barefoot across the centre of the coal path, while a man in white stands at the near edge and a drummer in white holds a drum with a stick on the right. Onlookers in white and colourful saris, including green and pink, watch behind a rope barrier. A white tent and a thatched fence form the background, and a red bucket sits at the lower left.2008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31Outdoors under coconut palms, a bald man in white clothes and a white shirt walks barefoot across a shallow pit of glowing embers, with a child in a blue outfit held near him. Devotees in white dhotis and saris line both sides of the pit; a man in a lime-green shirt stands near the path, and a drummer in white with a red-and-gold drum stands at right. Men with long wooden poles stand along the edges. White tents and a blue-and-white logo appear at upper left. This appears to be a fire-walking ritual, with the bald man's identity not established from appearance.2008-12-31Outdoors under palm trees beside white tent canopies, a man in a plain white shirt and white dhoti walks barefoot across a long rectangular pit filled with glowing embers or hot coals. Along both banks, a crowd of devotees in white and cream clothes stands watching; a man in a bright green kurta and white dhoti holds a long bamboo pole and walks barefoot near the pit. On the right, a drummer in white plays a large drum with a red-and-white cloth, and a bare-chested man in a white dhoti stands nearby. Below the pit, a small red-orange water or liquid pool reflects in the earth, and a red bucket sits on the left edge. Coconut palms and a line of pennants appear behind the crowd.2008-12-31A large outdoor crowd of devotees in white traditional clothing walks along a dirt path lined with coconut palms on a sunny day. A woman in a white sari and a man with a long bamboo pole lead the way, while women in white cloth kneel at a freshly poured strip of dark material, pressing their hands on it. Several people in yellow and orange garments stand among the crowd. Makeshift white tent structures and a thatched roof line the path. The scene resembles a ritual procession or walk during a festival, with many participants wearing white and some holding small brass pots.2008-12-31A photograph of an outdoor fire-walking ritual under coconut palms at a festival site. A barefoot person in white clothes walks across a long pit of glowing embers while beating a red drum. Along the pit, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis, white kurtas and white saris stands behind a rope barrier, with several women in colourful saris and a man in a yellow shirt among them. On the right, a man in white garments stands by the pit. A person in the foreground on the left holds a long horn-like wind instrument. Temporary white tents and a small brass vessel sit at the edge of the site.2008-12-31Outdoor photo of a fire-walking or ember-crossing rite at an ashram-style site under tall coconut palms. A bald man in white dhoti and white shirt with a lanyard carries a small child in a blue garment across a long trench of glowing grey embers, while devotees in white and cream clothes line both sides holding his arms and steadying him. A woman in a yellow-bordered white sari and a man in a bright green shirt reach toward them. Behind them a crowd of white-clad men and women stands, and a drummer in white with a red sash plays a drum at the right. Tarpaulin tents and a red-and-white flag line appear in the background.2008-12-31