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Outdoor ritual at the edge of a deep rectangular pit dug into red earth. Several men in white dhotis with rudraksha malas and orange-striped shawls stand around the rim, and a bearded man in a maroon robe with a large gold pendant necklace stands centrally, hands joined, beneath a red and gold ceremonial parasol. Behind him a man in an orange robe holds a tall silver staff, and men in white and orange surround the scene. Two men in a plaid shirt and a light green shirt crouch inside the pit, and a man in a purple shirt and khaki trousers kneels at its edge gesturing toward it. Marigold garlands, flower petals, bundled offerings and a brass pot sit on the ground, with a decorated canopy and hills in the background.

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Outdoor photograph of a ground-breaking or foundation ceremony on reddish earth. A rectangular pit has been dug in the foreground, and several men in checked and striped shirts crouch inside it, one lowering a white cloth-wrapped bundle. Around the pit stands a crowd in white dhotis and shirts and orange or maroon robes. A bearded man in a maroon robe and a long gold-coloured necklace stands centre, flanked by others with rudraksha malas. A man in a dark purple shirt and beige trousers leans forward, and a man in a white shirt reaches toward the pit. A red and gold ceremonial umbrella is held overhead, and garlands and flower offerings sit on the ground. Behind, a white and steel pavilion decorated with yellow and orange flower garlands stands near a hillside with palm trees.2017-02-03February 03 20172017-02-03A photograph of an outdoor ritual at a deep rectangular pit dug into red earth. Two men in striped lungis and a third person bend inside the pit, handling a white cloth bundle, possibly offerings or a burial-style rite. Above, a bearded man in a rust-red robe with a gold necklace and rudraksha-style beads stands barefoot at the pit's edge, flanked by a man in a red umbrella-shaped canopy held overhead and a group of men in white dhotis with sacred threads. A man in a purple checked shirt and beige trousers and an older man in white shirt watch nearby, and a man in orange holds a tray of flowers. Marigold garlands decorate a silver canopy structure in the background, with hills and palm trees beyond.2017-02-03February 03 20172017-02-03February 03 20172017-02-03Outdoor ritual photo at a red-soil site with hills and palms behind. A man stands inside a deep rectangular pit wrapped in a white cloth, with a bundle beside him and offerings of flowers, fruit and a metal pot at the edge. Above, a central bearded man in a rust-red robe with a large rudraksha mala and gold ceremonial necklace stands with hands folded, while a tall man holds an ornate red umbrella over him. Around them, men in white dhotis with gold-bordered cloth and bead malas stand, along with a man in an orange-saffron robe and men in shirts and trousers. A white canopy with floral garlands stands at right. The scene resembles a traditional burial or samadhi rite; the robed central figure's appearance is uncertain and his identity is not established.2017-02-03Outdoor photo of a burial or samadhi-style ritual at a deep rectangular pit in red earth. A man in a striped shirt kneels inside the pit beside a white-wrapped bundle. Above, a crowd of about 20 people stands around the edge. Near the center, a bearded man in a rust-red robe and layered rudraksha malas and a gold pendant stands barefoot beside a man in white dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth and rudraksha mala. A man in saffron/orange robe with long hair and a mala stands to the right, holding a staff. A red and gold ceremonial umbrella is held over the central figure. Offerings in plastic bags, a metal pot, and scattered flowers sit at the pit's edge. Hills and palm trees form the background, with a decorated vehicle at right.2017-02-03February 03 20172017-02-03February 03 20172017-02-03Outdoor photo of a burial or samadhi-style rite at a red earth pit in the open. A young attendant in orange robes holds a long silver staff and rudraksha beads. Behind them a man in a purple shirt raises his fist and points, and several onlookers in white, blue checks and red saris watch. Flower petals and a garland of yellow and pink blooms are thrown into the pit, where a white-shrouded figure lies. A white metal stretcher stands at right and a white structure with garlands is behind.2017-02-03Outdoor ritual at a deep rectangular pit in reddish-brown earth. Workers in the pit lower or handle white cloth bundles and offerings among marigold petals. A bearded man in a rust-brown robe with a large gold necklace and rudraksha mala stands at the pit edge under a red and gold parasol held by an attendant. Around him stand men in white dhotis with orange sashes and mala necklaces, a man in an orange saffron robe with mala beads, and onlookers in shirts and dhotis. Plastic bags of offerings and a metal pot sit at the edge, with a white pavilion and marigold garlands at right and hills behind.2017-02-03Outdoor ceremony at a deep rectangular pit dug into red earth, with a shrouded body wrapped in white cloth lying at the bottom, dusted with white powder. A man with long dark hair, a dark beard and a forehead mark stands at the edge in a rust-brown dhoti and large gold-and-bead necklace, under a red and gold ceremonial umbrella held by an attendant. Around him are men in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas, and priests in white dhotis with gold borders. Onlookers in shirts and lungis crowd the edges; a man pours white powder into the pit from a yellow sack. Hills and palm trees show in the background, with a decorated white structure and garlands at the right.2017-02-03