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Night outdoor ritual photograph. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with red-bordered edges, wearing a beaded necklace, stands centre holding a lit flame in a brass vessel while waving it before him. Around him, seated devotees in white clothing with palms pressed together face the scene; one has a shaved head and tilak markings, another wears a gold necklace. In front, brass lamps, bowls of offerings, marigold garlands and a green and purple cloth sit on a low platform. Palm fronds, bamboo-hung leaf garlands and a decorated banner hang overhead, with circular metal hoops above. The scene suggests an aarti or homa-style puja.

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October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time ritual at an open outdoor pavilion hung with yellow-orange ribbons, leaves and a looped brass arch. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border stands centrally holding a brass lamp and a bell, with beaded necklaces. Seated around a white-draped low table, several men in white dhotis and shawls sit with hands folded in prayer, one holding a bundle of grass. A brass lamp, flower garland, a green silk-covered object and offering plates sit on the table. Other onlookers stand in the background.2010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at a yagna or homa setup. A bald man in a white dhoti with an orange-red border and a long beaded mala stands centre, holding a lit flame in his right hand and a small bell in the other. Strings of green leaves and hanging banners in red, yellow and blue decorate the open pavilion above him. In the foreground, a brass lamp with a burning flame and a brass kalasha-style vessel rest on a white platform, beside a flower garland and a green silk-wrapped deity murti. Seated devotees in white clothes with mala beads sit with hands folded in prayer on the left and right. Mats, metal plates and offerings are spread on the ground.2010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a canopy of green leaf festoons and hanging colourful tassel banners. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border raises a lit camphor-style aarti flame in a brass lamp holder, with a bell in his other hand, standing before a large circular golden ring. Seated devotees in white clothes with folded palms surround a low table holding brass vessels, flowers, fruit and a green and gold cloth. A bald man in white with a gold chain and rudraksha-like beads sits in anjali posture on a purple mat at right, and a brass oil lamp stands in the foreground. Several other seated participants fill the background.2010-10-15Night outdoor ritual homa under a temporary roofed pavilion decorated with orange triangular pennants, hanging colourful tassel decorations and leaf garlands. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at right pouring an offering from a vessel into a fire pit, with flames rising. Seated devotees in white and red-bordered clothes sit around the fire pit; a seated figure at left in a green silk garment and garlanded red cloth holds a small bell or instrument. A large red cushioned throne with gold trim stands at left, beside a framed portrait photo on it. Brass lamps glow on the ground and oil lamps burn at the edges. A printed backdrop and sculpted statues appear at the back.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies