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Photo of a ritual aarti performed in an open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof. Five young men stand in a row raising brass oil lamps with lit flames, four in saffron-orange robes and orange shawls with beaded necklaces and one in white with an orange shawl. Behind them a seated audience watches. In front, several women in white saris with black rudraksha-style necklaces sit on a mat beside rows of polished brass lamps, bells and a brass kalasha-style lamp stand. Colourful hanging decorations and a banner are visible on the back wall.

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A photograph of a ritual aarti performed under a corrugated roof at an ashram hall. Four men in saffron-orange robes with orange shawls and gold beaded necklaces stand at the back, raising lit oil lamps and ringing handbells. A fifth man in white with an orange shawl stands at the right, holding a bell aloft, and another figure in white stands at the far left holding a lamp. Seated women in white saris line a long metal table in front, with rows of brass oil lamps, bells and a brass plate on the floor. A seated audience fills the background, and a colourful hanging mobile and garlands decorate the ceiling.2008-12-24Outdoor-style covered hall with corrugated metal roof during a ritual with brass oil lamps. Four men in orange saffron dhotis and shawls with ceremonial gold necklaces stand in a row raising lit brass lamps overhead, while a man in white with an orange shawl on the far right raises a lamp and holds a bell. Seated along a long metal table, several women in white saris and white clothes with red borders tend tall brass lamps, a bell and brass vessels. A crowd of seated devotees watches from behind. Hanging decorations, a colourful mobile of toys and a framed picture are visible on the walls. This is a photograph of an aarti-style lamp offering in progress.2008-12-24A covered outdoor ritual space where four men in saffron-orange shawls and orange-and-gold beaded necklaces raise lit oil lamps (aarti) with both arms, while a fifth man in white clothing and an orange shawl at the far left also holds a lamp. Seated in front of a long table are several women in white saris with gold borders, beside rows of polished brass lamps, a brass kalasha-like vessel and a large brass bowl. Behind them a seated audience fills the hall, and hanging decorations with small toy figures and red garlands are visible on the right. a person is not clearly identifiable among the men.2008-12-24A photograph of an outdoor temple-style ritual under a corrugated metal roof. Four men stand at a raised metal counter lifting oil lamps and bells: three wear saffron/orange dhotis and shawls with beaded necklaces, and the fourth on the far right wears white clothes with an orange shawl. Seated on a mat in front are six women in white and cream saris, several holding bells, and a row of polished brass bells, lamp stands and a conch-shaped brass vessel lies on the floor. Behind them a seated audience watches. A printed banner hangs on the wall and colourful toy-like decorations hang from the ceiling on the right. This appears to be an aarti with handbells during a festival celebration.2008-12-24A covered outdoor temple-style area during a ritual. Four men in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls stand along a long metal table, holding lit lamps aloft and ringing handbells; one of them wears a marigold garland. A younger man in white with an orange shawl stands at the far right holding a bell and lamp. Women in white saris sit cross-legged on a mat in front, surrounded by polished brass oil lamps, a tall brass lamp stand and brass bowls. Seated devotees fill the background. Hanging plastic toy-like ornaments and a red garland decorate the ceiling, and a framed picture hangs on the white wall. A ritual aarti-style offering of lamps is underway.2008-12-24December 24 20082008-12-24A photograph of a covered outdoor ritual hall where several devotees perform aarti with lit oil lamps. Four men stand in the centre and right wearing saffron/orange dhoti-style garments and orange shawls, one raises a flaming lamp and others hold bells and lamps; a man in white dhoti with an orange shawl raises a flaming lamp at far right, and a woman in white with an orange shawl does the same at left. Seated women in white saris with red or gold borders and rudraksha-style beaded necklaces tend rows of brass lamps and bell-shaped vessels on a long metal table in front. Behind them a seated audience fills the hall, and the walls show a small framed picture, colourful bead garlands and a hanging mobile of toys.2008-12-24December 24 20082008-12-24Photograph of a temple aarti ceremony under a corrugated metal roof. Six people stand in a row holding tall brass lamps with lit flames on their tiers; most wear orange or saffron garments and white, and one wears white with an orange shawl. Seated before them on a mat, several women in white saris with gold-toned accessories play rows of brass bells and handheld cymbals. Behind, a large seated crowd of devotees in white watches, and a hanging ornament decorates the shrine area. Mention of a children's festival is not visible in the scene.2008-12-24A covered outdoor ritual hall with a corrugated metal roof and a long metal table. Five men stand behind the table raising lit oil lamps (aarti) overhead; four wear saffron-orange dhotis, shawls and beaded necklaces, while the man at far right wears white with an orange shawl. Seated women in white saris with gold borders play brass bells and hand cymbals on a mat in front of the table, with brass lamp stands and a small bell-and-lamp arrangement. Behind them a crowd of devotees sits watching. Garlands and colourful hanging lights decorate the ceiling, and a framed picture hangs on the white wall.2008-12-24December 24 20082008-12-24A covered outdoor stage under a corrugated metal roof shows a ritual performance. Four people in orange-saffron robes with gold-beaded necklaces stand at the back, holding small brass bells and ritual implements, while a person in white with an orange shawl stands at the far left and another in white with an orange shawl stands at the right. Several women in white saris sit along the front of the stage behind rows of polished brass oil lamps and brass lamp stands, some holding bells or small objects. Behind them, seated spectators in white and dark clothing fill the hall. Colourful hanging decorations, a mobile of small figures, red garlands and a wall poster with pictures hang in the background.2008-12-24