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Outdoor riverside ritual at a ghat on the Ganges in Haridwar, with a crowd of devotees standing and seated along the stone steps above the water. On a low wooden platform at the water's edge, a man in saffron robes bends forward to tend a brass and silver puja setup, with a small silver shrine holding a deity murti decorated with marigold garlands. Seated beside it, a man in orange and red dhoti with a red turban, gold necklaces and a rudraksha mala holds his hands together in devotion, with another seated monk in red robes beside him. Several long silver-tipped trident staffs stand upright in the foreground, and an orange-wrapped red chariot or palanquin is visible behind the crowd. Women in saris and salwar kameez and men in white and blue shirts watch from the steps.

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Outdoor riverside ritual on a stone ghat beside flowing water. A central figure in a red-orange turban and orange-red robe, with a long beaded garland and gold armband, sits behind a small silver puja stand holding a decorated deity murti with orange and red garlands. Before him, a robed attendant in orange kneels and offers a tray. Around them devotees sit and stand, many in red shawls, white and orange clothing, watching closely. Silver trident-topped staffs stand beside the platform, and a red-and-orange palanquin-style structure is at upper left. Puja items and flower offerings sit on a low table over the water.2014-03-20Outdoor riverside ritual on a ghat at the water's edge. A man seated centrally wears a maroon-red turban, an ornate gold necklace with a large pendant, bangles, and an orange-red shawl over saffron clothing, sitting cross-legged before a silver-framed deity murti decorated with orange marigold garlands and a red cloth. Silver tridents and staffs stand upright behind him. A bald man in saffron robes to the left holds a ritual item, while a man in a white shirt kneels at a low table with brass vessels and a white silver-tiered offering stand. Devotees in red and saffron shawls and white clothing crowd behind on the steps and a red vehicle at the top left, and a photographer in white stands at the right edge. Water lies in the foreground.2014-03-20Outdoor riverside ritual on a ghat, with a seated figure in an orange-red turban, orange-saffron robe and a heavy gold necklace and bangles, gesturing with both hands before a silver-framed deity murti and marigold garlands on a low wooden platform. Beside him a man in white kurta kneels or stands in the shallow water, and a seated man in grey vest and a seated bald man in orange sit nearby. Behind them a large crowd of devotees, many women in white with red and orange dupattas, sits and stands along steps and rails, with silver trident staffs (tridents) visible at left. Water and floating offerings are at the bottom of the frame. Not a deity or devotee text. Visible crowd of about 30 people.2014-03-20Outdoor riverside gathering at a ghat beside flowing water. A man in an orange-red turban, gold necklaces and bangles, with a saffron-orange wrap, sits with hands joined in prayer on a raised wooden platform draped in red. Before him stands an ornate silver-framed deity murti decorated with marigold garlands, with brass puja vessels, a kalasha-like pot and a white flower garland nearby. Behind him, saffron-clad sannyasis and seated devotees, many in red and orange shawls, face the platform with trishula-topped staffs rising behind them. A man in a grey vest assists at the left and a standing man in a light blue shirt watches at right. Seated devotees fill the steps behind the crowd. Appearance-based candidate Swamiji (probable) is seated centrally in the turban and gold jewellery, performing puja.2014-03-20A riverside ghat ritual on water in the evening. A priest in a dark red and orange dhoti and a red turban stands on a raised red-carpeted platform, holding a silver vessel and pouring water, beside a second robed priest in orange with a gold armband and rudraksha beads. Behind them, a silver ceremonial stand holds a decorated murti with marigold garlands and a small silver tree-shaped lamp stand. A man in white kurta and shawl stands with palms joined in namaste, and silver staffs with tridents and an axe-like ornament stand nearby. Dense crowds of devotees and onlookers watch from the steps, many photographing, with flowing water and floating offerings in the foreground.2014-03-20Outdoor riverside ritual photograph at a ghat with dark water in the foreground. A man in a red-orange turban, gold necklaces and a saffron-and-red wrap sits cross-legged behind a low wooden table holding a silver-framed deity murti draped in red and decorated with orange marigold garlands, a white flower-garland stand and brass pooja vessels. Around him are saffron-robed sadhus, one standing at left in orange with a rudraksha mala, and a man in a grey vest seated at left. Behind them a large crowd of devotees and visitors stands and sits on steps, many in white, red and teal clothing, some holding red shawls. Silver trishul staffs are raised at upper left and a yellow cart and red structure appear at the top. A man in a light blue shirt with folded arms stands at right. Roughly thirty-five people are visible.2014-03-20Outdoor photo on a riverside ghat with a crowd seated on steps behind. In the centre a man in an orange-saffron robe with a red and gold turban, gold necklaces and rudraksha beads sits cross-legged on a low wooden platform at the water's edge, hands folded in a ritual gesture. Before him stands a small decorated altar with orange and yellow flower garlands, a kalasha and brass vessels. A man in white clothes performs the puja nearby, and a priest in orange stands at left holding a trident-topped staff. Several people in orange and red robes sit beside the platform. Behind the crowd, women in red and white saris and men in casual shirts watch.2014-03-20Riverside ghat ceremony with a crowd of devotees in white and red clothing seated and standing on steps above water. In the center, a seated man with long dark hair, a red-and-orange robe, and orange-and-marigold garlands sits behind a silver puja stand holding a small blue-draped deity murti and an oil lamp, with a fire burning in front. Two men in red robes stand with trishul staffs nearby, and a man in a light blue shirt tends the fire on the left. Devotees fold their hands in prayer around the scene, and a red wooden platform sits behind. The setting resembles a riverside aarti or homa on the ghat. a person cues: long swept-back hair, saffron-red robe and orange garlands seated at the central puja.2014-07-27Evening aarti at a riverbank ghat with a crowd of devotees in white and red clothing seated on steps. A bare-chested man with orange-marked forehead and an orange-and-saffron garland sits centrally before a small ornate deity murti set on a raised platform draped with a patterned cloth. Two men on either side hold large flaming oil lamps on tall trident-topped stands, and a man in white dhoti at left holds a lamp. Devotees in white and red shawls sit with hands folded in prayer, and a red wooden boat-like structure stands behind. Dusk light falls on the water.2014-07-27March 20 20142014-03-20Outdoor riverside ritual on stone ghats at dusk. A man in white kurta and dhoti stands barefoot at left, holding a flame in a small vessel near a bright fire pit. Centre right, a seated figure with long hair, a rudraksha mala and orange-red robes sits behind a small blue deity murti decorated with orange and yellow marigold garlands, with a silver trident beside it. Around them, a large crowd in white and red clothing sits with hands folded in prayer, and a few people hold silver staffs and tridents. Water of the river is visible in the foreground. a person cues: long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and saffron-red robes, shown seated beside the deity murti during the ritual.2014-07-27July 27 20142014-07-27