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A photo of a ritual in a covered hall with a corrugated roof and red-and-cream walls. In the foreground a bare-chested young priest in white dhoti with red border swings a large white whisk or fan overhead. Beside him a second priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a flat wooden item. Central focus is an empty red velvet throne with gold trim, on which a framed portrait of a saffron-robed sannyasi with long hair sits. Red carpet runs before it, with brass plates of fruit, yellow sweets, flowers and cooked offerings, marigold garlands and a pile of herbs on mats. Behind, a line of women in white and cream saris stands along the wall, and seated devotees in white and yellow sit on the floor. A man in orange robes stands center, and hanging decorations fill the background.

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Indoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof at an ashram hall. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with red border waves a white fly-whisk (chamara) over a spread of offerings: bowls of yellow and white food, red kumkum, fruit, marigold garlands and a brass lamp on a mat. Beside him, a second priest in white with a shaved head holds a small object near a red velvet throne with gold trim that bears a framed portrait of a woman in orange. A robed figure in orange stands on a red carpet near the throne, and a line of women in white saris and yellow shawls stands at left while seated devotees in white fill the back. Hanging decorations and a banner-like sign are visible.2010-11-12A ritual puja in a covered open hall with a corrugated metal roof and orange-brown walls. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red borders swings a large white fan or chamara over offerings. Around him are brass plates of fruit, yellow sweets, flowers, betel, and a spread of puja items on a woven mat and red carpet. Behind, a group of women in white and yellow saris stands and sits. On the right, an ornate red velvet throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure, and a second priest in white stands beside it. A seated, shaved-headed priest in white garments is at centre back, and a figure in orange robes stands behind the carpet. The scene is a ritual honoring the throne portrait, with no clear identification of any physical person as a person.2010-11-12A photograph of a ceremonial puja in an open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof. In the foreground a bare-chested man in white dhoti with a red border holds a long brass ceremonial implement and gestures toward offerings laid on a white cloth: bowls of sweets, fruit, red kumkum, yellow and white powders, and a small fire or incense burner emitting smoke. Beside him a large red throne with gold trim holds a framed painted portrait of a seated figure in orange robes and beads. Standing near the throne, a man in white dhoti attends it. On the red carpet, a man in an orange robe stands holding a camera, and a row of seated devotees in white and yellow clothing sit on the floor. Women in white saris with yellow borders stand at the left. Hanging decorations, lamps and garlands line the ceiling.2010-11-12A photograph inside a covered ashram hall with a corrugated metal roof and orange-painted walls. In the foreground a shaved-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with a red border stands with his back to the camera, holding a ritual object near a tray of offerings. A central figure in orange robes and a tall head covering stands on a red carpet holding a long staff, facing a red and gold armchair with a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure seated in a meditative pose. Brass and ceramic plates of fruit, yellow and red powders, flowers and grains sit on the floor, with a small fire vessel nearby. Seated devotees in white and yellow garments line the sides of the hall, and a man in white stands at the right edge holding a fan. A sign on the wall shows a printed name, and a banner with text hangs at upper left.2010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12November 12 20102010-11-12A photograph inside an open-sided ashram hall with a corrugated metal roof and orange-painted walls. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth stands before a small brick fire pit with burning embers, offering incense or smoke. Around him are brass plates of offerings including bananas, sweets, flowers and turmeric, and a red carpet runs across the floor. Seated on the left, a row of devotees in white clothes with yellow shawls sit with palms pressed together. On the right, several people in white and yellow saris and dhotis stand with hands folded in namaste, and a figure in orange robes stands near the entrance. A red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure. A floral garland of red and orange flowers rests on a deity murti at the lower right, and rose petals are scattered on the floor. Hanging decorations line the ceiling.2010-11-12A photograph of a ritual reception under a corrugated metal roof in an orange-walled hall. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl with a garland and gold chain holds a brass bell and vessel, while a man in white dhoti with a red-bordered shawl and a gold necklace stands before him, hands together. On the left, a clean-shaven man in an orange kurta with a rudraksha mala and bracelets stands with folded hands beside a man in a maroon shirt and cream trousers. Behind them, several people in white and orange robes stand with palms pressed together. At the right, an ornate gold throne with a red cushion sits beside a red carpet. Framed photographs hang on the orange wall in the background.2010-10-04 +1 copiesIndoor ritual hall with an orange-painted wall, corrugated roof and hanging decorative tassels in orange, blue and yellow. A man seated on an ornate gold-and-red throne is dressed in saffron-orange cloth with a garland, a seated figure with a shaved head in saffron robes sits in the foreground, and rows of devotees in white clothing sit on the floor, some with rudraksha-style beads. Trays of fruit, flower garlands, coconut and grass bundles sit on the floor in front of the ritual participants. A portrait with a framed image hangs on the wall. The throne figure's appearance does not clearly match the a person candidate cues, so role is given without identification.2011-11-06November 06 20112011-11-06A photograph of a ritual hall with a large crowd seated on mats on the floor, many in white clothing. At left, a seated figure in a red-and-gold turban and red robe sits on an ornate gold throne draped with yellow-and-red flower garlands, with a tall ceremonial fan behind. In the centre foreground, a standing priest in a saffron-orange dhoti holds a lit camphor or aarti flame aloft in front of a yellow-and-white kalasha-style pitcher while people in red and orange saris sit with hands folded. Brass oil lamps and offering trays with flowers and fruit sit on the floor, and a green backdrop hangs behind. The scene appears to be a puja or aarti ceremony with a throne-seated figure presiding. Ceiling fans and white walls frame the hall.2015-10-21 +1 copies