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A photograph of an outdoor ritual at a large banyan tree with many aerial roots. In the centre, a person in a bare-chested, draped red-orange cloth and a white flower garland holds a lit oil lamp (aarti) toward the tree while speaking. Around the tree, flower garlands in white and orange-red hang in swags on the trunk and roots. Behind and to the left, a group of about a dozen men in white shirts and white dhotis stand with palms pressed together in prayer. A person at the far left holds a gold-topped staff. The ground is bare earth with a dark stone slab in the foreground. The person in red has no visible crown, turban or rudraksha, so the identity is uncertain.

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A photograph of an outdoor puja beside a large ancient banyan tree whose trunk and aerial roots are draped with red and white flower garlands. A bare-chested figure in a red-orange dhoti-style cloth and white flower garland stands at the centre with hands folded in namaskar, facing the tree; a small flame burns near the base. Around them about a dozen people in white shirts, white dhotis and white kurtas stand with palms pressed together in prayer, one young boy in white at the left edge. The setting is a dirt clearing among thick branches.2007-07-29A photograph of an outdoor ritual beneath a large, sprawling banyan tree with many aerial roots. A person in a red-orange robe with a white and red flower garland holds a lit flame or camphor aarti lamp toward the tree, which is decorated with white jasmine and red-and-white garlands and a yellow marigold garland draped along its trunk. Behind them, several men in white shirts and white dhotis stand with hands folded in prayer, and one holds a bell. The ground is sandy with a dark stone slab in front and a striped mat at the right edge.2007-07-29Outdoors beneath a large banyan tree with sprawling aerial roots, a man with long dark hair and a white-and-orange garland stands bare-chested, wrapped in a red-orange cloth, holding a metal lamp with a bright flame and a small bell in his other hand as he performs an aarti. The trunk to the right is decorated with red, orange and white flower garlands. Around him, about a dozen people in white ritual clothes stand with palms pressed together in prayer, some wearing rudraksha malas, and a few children are visible at the left edge.2007-07-29A photograph of a puja at a large banyan tree with many hanging aerial roots and branches overhead. A figure in a flowing red-orange robe with long dark hair and a white flower garland stands on a dark polished slab, holding a lit lamp toward the tree, which is draped with red and white flower garlands. Beside them, a man in a white shirt and orange shawl holds a brass plate of flowers, and a golden staff with a finial rests in the foreground. Behind them about a dozen men in white dhotis and shirts stand with palms pressed together in prayer. Whether the figure in red is the swami cannot be confirmed from appearance alone.2007-07-29Outdoor ritual at a large banyan tree with sprawling aerial roots and dense green foliage. A bare-chested man in an orange-red wrap and a white flower garland holds a silver lamp with a flame in one hand and a handbell in the other, performing an aarti. Around him, a group of men in white shirts and white dhotis stand with palms pressed together in namaste. A garland of orange and white flowers hangs on the tree trunk at right. A ceremonial staff with a gold top is visible at the left edge. The ground is bare earth. Because the lead figure has long swept-back hair, a flower garland and a saffron wrap, a probable identification applies to the person conducting the aarti.2007-07-292004 - First Sannyas Deeksha At AdiKailaasa2004-07-02A photograph of an outdoor ritual beneath a large spreading banyan tree with many aerial roots and branches. A central figure with long dark hair, wearing an orange-red wrap over the shoulder and bare upper back and a white flower garland, holds a metal lamp with a visible flame at the level of the hands. Around them, devotees in white shirts, white dhotis and white garments stand with palms pressed together in anjali. On the left edge, a person holds a tall golden staff with a decorative top. Sandy ground and greenery surround the scene.2007-07-29July 07 20092009-07-07Outdoor photo beneath a huge banyan tree with thick aerial roots wrapping its trunk. A standing devotee in a flowing orange saffron wrap, with long dark hair and a green leaf garland over the shoulder, faces the trunk while holding a lit oil lamp or offering. Yellow and orange marigold garlands hang on the roots. In the foreground at right, a white cloth covers a seated or offered object beside an orange cushion, a small brass vessel and a stone base, with white kolam designs on the ground. Another orange-clad figure stands at the far right edge. The scene shows an outdoor puja at a sacred tree.2007-12-22Outdoor photo beneath a large spreading banyan tree with aerial roots. A central figure with long dark hair, bare-backed in a red-orange cloth and wearing a white flower garland, holds a lit oil lamp or arati flame in a brass vessel and performs a ritual offering. Around them, men in white shirts and white dhotis stand with palms pressed together in prayer. A man at left in an orange shawl over white holds a brass tray with flowers and a ceremonial staff topped with a gold finial stands in the foreground. Bare sandy ground and greenery surround the gathering.2007-07-29December 25 20062006-12-25A photograph of an outdoor ritual beneath a large banyan tree with thick hanging aerial roots. In the centre, a man in a saffron-orange garment with a rudraksha mala and bare feet holds a brass aarti plate with a lit flame raised high. Around him, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and white kurtas stand and sit with palms pressed together in namaskar. Some women wear sarees in yellow and white. On the right, a stone deity or sacred figure is adorned with a multicoloured garland of flowers and a rope of yellow and maroon flowers, and a golden cobra-hood figure sits near the base. A man in white at the edge of the frame appears to be pouring or offering something at the shrine. The setting is a shaded outdoor sacred grove.2006-07-23