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A seated group of young boys and some adult men in orange and maroon robes perform a ritual with oil lamps and brass vessels on a cloth-covered floor. Many have white sacred ash marks across their foreheads and rudraksha malas around their necks. Several hold lit lamps aloft or beside brass bowls, and a brass kalasha-style vessel sits in front. Behind them, a few devotees in white and dark clothes watch from chairs in a hall. No figure is clearly identifiable as a person from appearance cues.

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April 06 20132013-04-06March 27 20132013-03-27March 21 20132013-03-21A photograph of a large seated group during a ritual at an indoor hall with tiled floor. In the foreground, a row of young shaved-headed boys in saffron-orange dhotis and maroon-edged shawls sit cross-legged, holding small oil lamps (diyas) and brass implements, with white tilak marks on their foreheads and rudraksha malas around their necks. Brass pots, small plates of offerings and a metal bowl are arranged on mats before them. Behind them, adults in white clothing and red lanyards sit and some hold lamps or join their palms in prayer. Fans and cabinets are visible at the back of the room. The scene suggests a puja or aarti being performed by the group.2013-03-25A group of young boys in saffron-orange robes sit closely together during a ritual, holding small brass oil lamps with lit flames. Many have white vertical forehead marks and rudraksha malas around their necks. Some have shaved heads, and several hold brass lamps and dishes of offerings on silver-toned trays. Behind them, older devotees in orange and maroon garments also hold lamps, and a dark-clad figure with glasses is visible in the rear. The scene suggests an aarti or puja with lamps being offered.2014-04-04 +1 copiesSeptember 09 20132013-09-09A photograph of a large seated ritual gathering in a hall. In the foreground, several young boys and youths in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, some with red or maroon wraps, sit cross-legged behind small silver-topped low tables. They have white ash marks on their foreheads and bodies, and rudraksha malas around their necks. Several hold small oil lamps with lit flames, and brass vessels, bowls of red kumkum, flowers and puja items sit on the tables before them. Behind them, many adults in white clothes and some in saffron sit in rows, hands folded or joined in prayer. The scene suggests a puja or lamp-lighting ritual.2013-05-01A group of young saffron-robed students sit cross-legged on a tiled floor performing a ritual with brass vessels, oil lamps and small flames. Many wear white forehead bands and orange cloth with beaded malas, some with red and orange sashes. Silver trays hold brass puja items, flowers and offerings. Behind them, older men in orange and white robes, some with malas, join in the worship. Gold and orange decor and a red curtain fill the hall.2013-05-03September 26 20132013-09-26A seated group of young boys and adolescents in saffron-orange robes and maroon-and-orange sashes performs a ritual with small oil lamps held in their hands. Many have white vertical tilaka marks on their foreheads and wooden rudraksha malas around their necks. Brass dishes, a small bell and offering plates sit on white floor mats in front of them. Several older men in white clothing sit in the background, some also holding lamps, in a plain room with maroon curtains and a white door. Gold-bordered text is absent; the scene is a lamp-lighting puja or aarti.2013-03-20A group of young saffron-robed initiates sit cross-legged on a hall floor performing a ritual. Most have shaved heads with white vibhuti horizontal stripes across their foreheads and wear orange robes with rudraksha malas. Several hold small brass ritual implements and bells, and silver-toned trays, flowers and small offering items are set on the floor before them. An older man in a white shirt sits with hands pressed together at the back, and a figure in a red and orange cloth sits in the foreground holding a bell. Motion blur suggests active chanting or puja.2014-09-03March 18 20132013-03-18