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Night ceremony in an open ashram setting with smoke rising. A smiling man in a white dhoti and shawl, wearing a beige turban, a rudraksha-style bead mala and a gold bangle, stands raising a white flower in one hand beside a red and gold throne. Behind him an orange-robed attendant holds a silver tray, and a bare-chested bearded sadhu with white tilak marks holds flowers. A white-clad priest kneels at a white altar strewn with petals, with silver vessels, a silver lamp, fruit and a folded red cloth. Two women in red saris sit at left, and a man in white stands at the back. Ring-shaped decorations hang overhead with leaf festoons.

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A photograph of a night ritual at an outdoor ceremonial stage filled with smoke. A smiling man in a white dhoti and shawl, wearing a saffron turban, a rudraksha mala and a bangle, raises a white flower in his right hand while standing beside a red and gold throne. Behind him, a man in orange robes holds a silver tray of flowers, and an elderly bearded priest with white tilak marks and rudraksha malas stands with folded hands. In front, a seated priest in white with a rudraksha mala tends the ritual setup. On the white altar steps are silver vessels, a kalasha, oil lamps, marigold and rose petals and fruit. Two young women in red stand at the left edge. A decorated kalasha pot and leaf garlands hang above.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a ceremonial homa-style worship at night. A smiling man in a tan turban, rudraksha-style gold-bead necklace, and white draped garment stands before a red and gold throne, throwing yellow and white flower petals into the air with one raised hand. Behind him an attendant in orange robes holds a silver tray of flowers, and a bare-chested sadhu with a white beard and beaded mala stands at right. In front, a seated priest in a white dhoti with a gold bead necklace tends a low white stepped altar strewn with petals, with a silver kalasha, conch shell, and small lamps. A brass oil lamp with a lit flame stands at left, and a large wooden drum rim is visible at right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a homa or puja platform decorated with marigold and yellow flower petals. A man in a white dhoti and cream turban stands on a red and gold throne, raising his right hand and scattering yellow flowers, smiling. Beside him a man in white cloth with a shawl and gold beaded necklace speaks into a microphone. A bare-chested priest with white body markings and rudraksha beads kneels at the fire pit, and another priest in orange robes holds a silver tray. Young girls in red and pink dresses stand in the foreground. Green leaf festoons and painted pillars frame the scene, with a wooden ritual vessel at right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night ceremony at an outdoor stage with a red and gold throne. A man in a cream turban, white dhoti and beaded rudraksha-style necklace stands smiling before the throne, with white flower petals falling around him. Behind him, a man in orange robes holds a silver tray of flowers, and an older bearded man in orange with a turban stands at right. In the foreground, a seated priest in white and a white-clad figure perform rites at a white stepped altar scattered with marigolds and petals, holding brass pots, a conch and a kalasha-like vessel; fruit rests on a tray at lower right. Two women in red saris with flowers in their hair sit at left, facing the altar. Decorative green leaf garlands and a circular ring hang overhead.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night homa in progress beside a fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flower petals. A smoking fire rises from the square pit, and brass vessels and a plate of offerings sit at its edge. A priest in white dhoti with gold necklaces sits cross-legged at the pit, while a woman in orange and red sits nearby. Behind them, several deity murti figures with garlands and red-and-gold decorations stand in the background. On the right, a man in a white robe and turban, wearing gold necklaces, sits on a red and gold throne holding a plate, and an elderly sadhu with white hair and white body markings sits in orange robes. A standing attendant in white holds an offering, and red string lights glow behind.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at an ashram-style pavilion. A man in white dhoti and a gold-and-cream turban stands at center, raising a lit flame in his right hand while holding a garland of beads. Behind him is a red and gold throne, and a large trident-like wooden frame with bunting and banana leaf garlands hangs overhead. To the right, a man in orange robes holds a silver plate, and a bare-chested elderly sadhu with white-painted marks and a long white beard stands with folded hands. Women in red and maroon saris sit at left beside brass oil lamps, fruit and flower-strewn offerings on a low table. A wooden drum-shaped object is in the foreground. Strings of small lights glow at left. The scene appears to be a puja or aarti with oil lamps and offerings.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual photograph at an ashram setting. A man in a white dhoti with a white shawl and a yellow-white turban stands before a red velvet throne with gold trim, raising his right hand while bare-chested and wearing a long beaded necklace. To his right a man in saffron-orange robes holds a silver tray, and an elderly bearded man in red-brown robes with a white forehead mark and a rudraksha-style neck garland stands with hands folded. Along the front, several women in red, pink and green sarees sit on the ground before a white tiered platform scattered with flower petals, brass lamps, coconuts and offerings. Lit oil lamps, brass vessels and a wooden drum stand in the foreground. Hanging leaf garlands, orange-tipped banners and string lights frame the scene.2010-10-16