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A photograph of a Pongal celebration in an open-sided outdoor pavilion. In the foreground, a seated figure in orange robes with a bare back and a headband sits before a large flower-covered tray of white rice and yellow and red blossoms, arranged on a striped mat. Beside it, a standing figure in orange bends forward to place offerings. Sugarcane stalks and bananas lie on the ground, and a white kolam with a marigold garland border decorates the floor. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha pot sit nearby. Behind them, a group of people in orange clothes stand with hands folded in namaskar. One man at left wears a red turban, a multi-strand flower garland and a rudraksha-style necklace over a white garment. Other devotees in orange and white stand along the back, and an orange banner with an emblem hangs at upper right.

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Outdoor ritual in a covered open-sided pavilion with a sandy ground. Sannyasis in saffron-orange robes sit on striped mats around a floral kolam drawn in white on the floor, edged with yellow marigold garlands, with brass kalasha pots, pineapples, bananas, and a flower-covered platform with an offering tray. A bare-chested priest in orange cloth with a rudraksha-style headband pours from a vessel at the right. A standing figure at left wears a maroon-brown robe with a tall red turban, long beaded mala and large ceremonial garland, and stands before a crowd of devotees, many in orange, some children with palms together, others in white dhotis and maroon saris. A brass oil lamp and a yellow ceremonial flag stand at right.2018-01-14A photograph of a Pongal celebration in an open-sided pavilion. Saffron-robed sannyasis and women in orange saris stand on a red mat around a clay pot sun offering, with a kolam of white rice flour and flower garlands on the ground. A man in a maroon robe and gold-bead necklace, with a red turban and flower garland, stands at left with hands joined. A bare-chested sannyasi with rudraksha beads stands with palms together, while a woman kneels to arrange brass plates, bananas, sugarcane, and offerings on a striped cloth. Clay pots, a brass lamp stand, and a saffron banner with a bird emblem complete the scene. Visible people number about ten.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14Outdoor ritual at a Pongal celebration: a figure in a tall red turban and long gold-and-bead necklaces with a garland stands at the left, hands joined, among a crowd of people in orange and saffron clothing with palms pressed together. In the centre, seated figures in orange robes sit on striped mats before a rangoli kolam design, pineapples, bananas, sugarcane stalks and a tray of flowers, with a large flower-covered platform on the right. A standing attendant in orange holds a brass lamp and a ceremonial item. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha pot and a yellow banner with a red emblem appear at the edges. Some figures bear vibhuti and rudraksha malas.2018-01-14A Pongal celebration outdoors under an open shelter with a red-brick wall. In the foreground, a seated man in orange cloth sits on a striped rug with his back to the camera, facing a white kolam rangoli design decorated with marigold garlands, bananas, and a small kalasha-like pot with coconut and leaves. Clay pots with garlands stand at left, and a large offering tray heaped with yellow flowers, rose petals and lit lamps sits at right. Sugarcane stalks lie at the lower right. Behind them, a standing man in a maroon robe and a large saffron-and-gold turban wears a long marigold garland and gold necklaces, hands folded in prayer. Around 20 people in orange and saffron robes and white dhotis stand behind in a semicircle, many with palms joined, including several children. A decorated ceremonial parasol with a crest appears at upper right.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14A photograph of an outdoor ritual space with a sandy floor and a white kolam design. A central figure in a rust-red dhoti with a maroon-and-gold turban, a gold necklace and a flower garland stands with palms pressed together in namaskar in front of a large flower-covered platform of yellow marigolds and white petals with red offerings. Around him, figures in orange-saffron robes hold trays of flowers and offerings, and a standing man in white dhoti with hands joined watches. Brass lamps, a kalasha pot, bananas, coconut-leaf decorations and a bundle of sugarcane lie on coloured striped cloths. An orange-and-yellow ceremonial banner stands at right. Several devotees in orange and white watch from the left. The setting suggests a puja at a Pongal-season gathering.2018-01-14Outdoor Pongal ritual at the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam under a canopy. Several people in saffron-orange robes stand and kneel around a white kolam decorated with yellow marigold garlands. Clay pots with leaves and bananas are arranged on the ground, and a woman in a blue sari pours or arranges items near a clay pot. A standing sannyasi in saffron holds a small brass vessel and a bell, and another kneels at a tray of flowers, kumkum and offerings. Behind them, a row of devotees with palms pressed together watches the ritual. Concrete steps and a red-striped sun umbrella frame the scene.2018-01-14A Pongal ritual inside an open-sided pavilion with bamboo and palm-leaf decorations. Several people in saffron-orange robes stand and kneel around a sand-floored area with clay pots and stone hearths, one with a fire built from stacked bricks ringed with marigold garlands. A woman in a teal sari kneels at lower left stirring from a clay vessel. Along the right, a platter of fruit, bananas and sugarcane sits on a kolam-decorated floor beside brass lamps and flower-covered offerings. A bare-chested man in orange garments and rudraksha-style mala raises a hand near the altar, and a woman in an orange sari stands at the right edge. The atmosphere is of a festival puja.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14