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Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach lit by a blazing fire pit. A bare-chested priest in a pink-striped cloth pours liquid from a vessel over two golden metal deity murtis on a red platform at right. Beside the fire, a seated priest in white dhoti and a purple-and-green cloth tends the flames near stacked logs. Two standing priests in white dhotis with garlands and gold-coloured chains stand behind a turquoise-draped altar holding flowers and lamps. A large seated crowd in white and red clothing watches from the background, and a woman in red in the left foreground is seen from behind. Scattered lights glow in the distance.

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December 25 20152015-12-25Night-time outdoor homa on a sandy beach. A fire burns on a low brick-and-wood platform in the foreground while a bare-chested priest in a striped cloth and gold necklace tends it. Another priest in a purple turban sits cross-legged beside the fire, and a third standing priest in a white cloth raises a vessel near golden metal deity murtis on a red pedestal at right. A teal-covered offering table holds flowers, fruit and brass lamps. A seated woman in red sari with gold bangles watches at left. Around 30 white-clad devotees stand and sit in the background, with city lights beyond.2015-12-25December 25 20152015-12-25Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach with a seated crowd watching. A shirtless priest in a striped wrap pours liquid from a vessel beside a blue-draped altar holding flowers, fruit and brass vessels. A bright wood fire burns in front, with stacked logs and an oil lamp nearby. Three gold-coloured deity murti stand on a red platform at right. A person in a dark head covering and red garment sits at left, and a seated figure in a white dhoti and turban-style cloth sits at the fire. Smoke rises into the dark night sky.2015-12-25December 25 20152015-12-25Night outdoor fire ritual on a sandy beach. A sacred fire burns on a low red-and-gold platform in front of a crowd of seated devotees in red, orange and white clothing. Several priests sit cross-legged around the fire: one in white with a rudraksha mala, one bare-chested in a purple and white dhoti, and a man in an orange robe beside a red-and-gold figure. Two large gilded deity murti stand on the right, including one holding a trident-like staff, beside a blue-draped altar with offerings. Water containers sit at the lower right. Some people are visible at the far left, and the figures are small in the distance on the right.2015-12-25Night beach ritual on sand with a crowd of seated devotees in white and red clothes behind. In the foreground left, a figure in red robe with gold necklace sits on a leopard-print cushioned seat beside a tall silver trident. Center, several men in white dhotis and garlands stand at a teal-draped altar with flowers, kalasha-style offerings and an oil lamp, while a small fire pit with burning logs and smoke rises nearby. Right, a second person in red sits on the sand and several metal deity murti figures stand on red-cloth bases. Smoke drifts across the scene.2015-12-25Dusk beach ceremony with a small fire pit of burning coals on sand, a homa or yagna. Three priests sit on green mats: a bare-chested man with a white dhoti and beaded necklaces at left, a man in a white dhoti with a pink turban at centre tending the fire, and a woman in a purple-and-maroon sari with a microphone at right. A large crowd of seated devotees fills the background. Brass vessels, a kalasha and flower offerings sit on a teal-draped table. At right stand golden deity murtis, one holding a lamp-like object.2015-12-25Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach. A fire burns on the sand beside a low table draped in teal cloth holding brass vessels, flowers and a garland. Several standing and seated priests in white dhotis, one bare-chested with a purple-and-green cloth and another with a purple turban, tend the fire and offerings. Four golden metal deity murtis stand on a red platform to the right. Around twenty or so devotees sit in white and red clothing watching in the background, and a seated figure in a red garment with dark hair appears in the foreground left. Lamps glow in the distance.2015-12-25December 25 20152015-12-25Night outdoor fire ritual on a sandy beach. Four priests sit before a blazing fire pit (homa/yagna): one in an orange robe with rudraksha beads, others bare-chested with white dhotis and purple sashes, one wearing a pink turban. A teal-draped altar behind them holds offerings, flowers and a kalasha-like vessel. On the right stand two bronze deity murtis, one a standing figure with a trident-like staff and the other a smaller figure. A silver-toned statue sits at left. A crowd of devotees, many in white and orange, sits in the background.2015-12-25Night outdoor ritual on a sandy beach. A bald man with a red-orange cloth draped over his shoulder and wrapped at the waist stands facing a small blazing fire pit with stacked logs and offerings in front of him. To the right, a bare-chested priest in white and gold-bordered dhoti raises his arm near copper-coloured deity murti on a red-draped platform. A woman in a red-orange sari sits on a cushioned chair at left, facing the fire. A large crowd of seated devotees in red, orange and white clothing fills the foreground and background, and lamps glow in the distance.2015-12-25