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Outdoor ritual at a stone wall: in the foreground a figure in saffron-orange robes with a gold necklace raises an arm toward a bright fire burning on a stone courtyard, while a second saffron-robed priest with a shaved head and gold ornaments stands beside him with palms joined. Behind them a man in white dhoti with a yellow-and-orange border stands at left, and a large seated crowd of devotees in white clothes, some in red and yellow shawls, press their hands together in prayer. Flower garlands rest on the ground at left. Several people in the front hold the same devotional gesture.

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Outdoor ritual gathering at a stone-walled ghat or temple courtyard with a large crowd seated on the ground. In the foreground a figure in an orange-saffron robe with long swept-back dark hair stands facing away, arm extended toward a flame in a fire vessel, a rudraksha-style necklace visible at the neck. Beside him a shaved-headed man in white dhoti with an orange-and-gold shoulder cloth stands attentively. The seated devotees wear white with yellow and orange shawls, hands pressed in anjali; one woman in a red blouse and white sari sits prominently. The scene reads as a fire offering or aarti. The orange-robed figure is an appearance-based probable Swamiji with distinctive long hair, saffron clothing and necklace cues, performing the fire ritual.2010-12-29A large outdoor gathering of devotees sits and stands before a tall dark stone wall during a ritual. Two central figures in saffron-orange robes face each other; one, with a shaved head and gold-rimmed glasses, holds up a lit flame in a metal vessel while the other, with long dark hair, raises a hand toward it. Both wear beaded necklaces. Nearby, a man with a shaved head wears a white dhoti with gold border and a red sash, hands folded. Devotees in white and orange-red clothing sit with palms pressed together, and a man in a blue jacket and a photographer in a red shirt stand at the left edge. A flower garland rests on the ground at center. Crowds fill the steps behind.2010-12-29December 29 20102010-12-29December 29 20102010-12-29A man with swept-back dark hair, wearing an orange saffron dhoti and shawl, a rudraksha-style beaded mala and a gold pendant, holds a lit oil lamp aloft with his right arm outstretched in an aarti gesture. Beside him stands a shaved-headed priest in orange robes. Behind them, a large crowd of devotees sits on the ground, many in white clothes with yellow borders, several with hands folded in prayer. Stone temple walls with carved pink and grey stonework frame the courtyard, and palm trees appear at the top left. A photographer in a red shirt watches from the left. Swamiji (probable) is the lamp-bearer, identified by distinctive visible cues of swept-back hair, saffron clothing and a beaded mala, performing aarti.2010-12-29December 29 20102010-12-29Outdoor ceremony in a temple courtyard before a grey stone wall and pink temple wall, with palm trees above. A large seated crowd in white dhotis and orange-saffron robes fills the ground, many with hands pressed in namaskar. In the centre, a man with long dark hair wears an orange-saffron cloth and gold necklaces and stands while another bald man in orange and gold-bordered white stands nearby. A bald man in orange and a long gold necklace holds a small brass vessel and extends a hand toward a seated devotee, appearing to bless or sprinkle. A silver tray of flowers and garlands lies in the foreground, and a photographer with a camera is visible at left. Cloth and ritual items suggest a blessing or puja.2010-12-29December 29 20102010-12-29December 29 20102010-12-29Outdoor temple courtyard in Thiruvannamalai with a large crowd seated and standing against a grey stone wall and pink-trimmed temple wall, palm trees and gopuram tops behind. In the foreground, several men in saffron/orange dhotis and shawls with gold-striped borders and gold necklaces stand and sit near a stone pedestal holding a silver tray with brass lamps and offerings. A bald priest in saffron stands center with hands folded, while men in white dhotis and a woman in orange sit on the stone floor. Many devotees in white and orange fill the courtyard; press photographers with cameras stand at left.2010-12-29Outdoor gathering in front of a high stone temple wall, with a crowd of many devotees seated on the ground. A bald man in saffron-orange robes stands centre, next to a woman in orange with a yellow-orange garland and a long dark braid, and a bald man in orange seated at the front. Several devotees in white dhotis with orange-gold borders sit with palms pressed together in prayer. A tray of flowers and offerings sits on an orange cloth at lower left, and a photographer and camera operator film the scene. Several men in casual clothes stand at the left edge. The gathering appears to be a satsang or puja, though the exact ritual is not clear.2010-12-29Outdoor ritual photograph at a stone pillar. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in orange robe with gold border sits facing away, holding a brass plate and an oil lamp with a bright flame. Beside him a man in white dhoti and shawl with gold border sits with palms joined, and further right a figure in orange robe with long dark hair and gold necklaces sits with hands folded in prayer. Other devotees in white and orange sit nearby, and a crowd of onlookers, some holding cameras, stands behind a low wall. Brass vessels with offerings lie on the ground.2010-12-29