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Outdoor ritual at a freshly dug earthen pit on a bright day, with a large umbrella of red, orange, white and green tassels held overhead by a bare-chested attendant in orange dhoti and beaded necklaces. A central man in a bright orange fleece jacket, rust-coloured dhoti, long dark hair and forehead markings holds a silver bell in one hand and a silver incense or aarti vessel with smoke in the other. Beside him a bare-chested man in a white dhoti with gold border holds a red cloth. A woman in orange with folded hands stands among other devotees, and flower petals are scattered on a patterned mat at the pit's edge.

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Outdoor ritual at a sandy site for the last rites of the bull Nandi. A central figure with long dark hair, a fresh tilak and an orange fleece jacket over rust-orange dhoti waves both palms in blessing while standing barefoot on a striped cloth scattered with flower petals. Behind him, a bare-chested attendant in orange dhoti and rudraksha mala holds a tall ornate parasol with red, green and white tassels. To the right, a man in a white dhoti with gold border holds a folded maroon towel. Other orange-clad attendants, a drummer and a bald priest with rudraksha beads stand nearby, and a blue-and-white decorated kalasha or sacred pot sits at the lower left. Water tanks and trees are visible behind.2016-12-30December 30 20162016-12-30Outdoor photograph of a funeral rite at a sandy dug pit covered with a colourful striped cloth scattered with flowers. A central man with long dark hair, a beard and a forehead tilak wears an orange zip fleece and rust-coloured dhoti while holding a small silver bowl and a silver lamp from which smoke rises. To the right, a young man in a white dhoti with gold border and a pink towel, with a tilak, stands watching. On the left, a bare-chested attendant in an orange dhoti holds a tall bamboo pole with red and green tassels. Behind them, a white-haired woman in orange clothing has her hands joined in prayer, with several other people in orange and maroon clothes nearby. Water tanks and trees appear in the background.2016-12-30December 30 20162016-12-30December 30 20162016-12-30Outdoor photograph at a burial or last-rites site on bare earth beside a multicoloured cloth spread with flower petals. A long-haired, bearded man in an orange fleece zip jacket and rust-orange dhoti stands barefoot at centre, smiling. To the left, a bare-chested attendant in orange cloth holds a tall wooden staff topped by a red, green and white tasselled umbrella canopy. Behind them, orange-robed people with rudraksha malas stand near a drum, and a shaven-headed man in orange cloth holds footwear. On the right, a bare-chested man in white dhoti with gold border holds a maroon cloth. Water tanks and trees appear in the background. Visible people: about seven.2016-12-30Outdoor photograph of a ritual at a sandy site under a clear blue sky. A long-haired, bearded man in an orange fleece zip jacket, rust-red dhoti and tilak raises one hand in greeting while smiling. Beside him a bare-chested priest in orange cloth holds a tall wooden staff with a red and green tasselled ceremonial umbrella overhead. A younger man in white dhoti with gold border holds a folded maroon cloth. Behind them, saffron-clad attendants, a drummer with a drum, and a woman in orange sari stand near a colourful cloth strewn with flower petals. Water tanks and trees fill the background.2016-12-30Outdoor ritual at a dirt-mound burial site on a sunny day. A central man with long dark hair, a white forehead mark and a short beard wears an orange zip fleece over a rust-red dhoti and walks barefoot on a striped cloth scattered with flower petals. Behind him an attendant in a bare-chested orange dhoti holds a long pole carrying a multicoloured fringed umbrella canopy. A bald man in a rudraksha mala and a bare-chested drummer stand nearby, and a young man in a white dhoti with gold border stands at right holding a maroon cloth. Water tanks and trees fill the background.2016-12-30Outdoor ceremony on bare earth beside a colourful multi-tasselled ceremonial parasol held on a long bamboo pole by a shirtless man in orange dhoti and rudraksha beads. In the centre, a bearded man with long dark hair and tripundra on his forehead wears an orange fleece jacket and orange dhoti, palms pressed together in a gesture of prayer on a striped mat strewn with flower petals. To his right, a man in white dhoti with gold border and a red shawl stands ready. Behind them devotees in orange and maroon robes, a woman in maroon sari, and a drummer. At left, a partially visible deity murti adorned with garlands sits on the ground. Water tanks and trees appear in the background under a clear sky.2016-12-30Outdoor ritual scene at a sandy burial-type ground during last rites. A bearded man with long dark hair and white forehead markings wears an orange fleece jacket over rust-orange dhoti and gestures with an open hand, standing on a multicoloured cloth scattered with flower petals. Behind him, a shirtless attendant in orange dhoti and rudraksha mala holds a tall bamboo pole topped by a colourful tasselled canopy. To the right, a man in white dhoti with gold border holds a folded maroon cloth. Other men in orange and maroon robes, one with a shaved head and rudraksha beads, stand nearby, and a drummer with a drum is visible. Water tanks and trees appear in the background under bright sky.2016-12-30Outdoor ritual photo at a sandy burial or last-rites site under a bright sky with trees behind. A central man with long dark hair and a beard, wearing an orange fleece zip-up jacket over a rust-brown dhoti, stands barefoot on a colourful striped cloth scattered with flower petals; he has white tripundra marks on his forehead and an open hand gesture. To his left, a bare-chested man in orange cloth holds a tall wooden staff topped with a red and orange tasselled canopy. To the right, a younger man in a white dhoti with gold borders holds a folded maroon cloth. Behind them, orange-robed attendants, a drummer with a drum, and a bald man wearing rudraksha beads stand in the background. A small mound of earth is in the foreground.2016-12-30December 30 20162016-12-30