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Five people gather around a metal plate holding a lit oil lamp in an open, smoky setting. On the far left, a figure in orange robes with a tilak on the forehead and beaded mala leans in. Beside him, a woman in a red turban and gold-and-red attire with a long garland of gold beads holds the plate. In the centre, an older bald, white-bearded man in orange robes extends his hand over the flame. On the right, a man in orange robes and a shawl, with a tilak, reaches toward the lamp, and another man in white stands at the edge. Other figures in white and orange stand in the background.

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A photograph of a ritual flame ceremony outdoors under a white canopy. In the centre, an elderly bald man with a white beard and saffron-orange robes holds his hands over a flame burning in a metal tray, with offerings of yellow flowers and food. Beside him a woman in a red turban and gold-beaded necklaces holds the tray; to the left an older man in orange robes, and to the right two men in orange shawls extend their hands toward the fire. A man in white stands behind. The scene suggests a fire offering ritual with oil lamp-style flame and food offerings.2015-01-13Photograph of a ritual aarti at an outdoor tented gathering. In the foreground, a woman in orange robes with white vibhuti marks on her forehead holds a silver tray with a burning flame and yellow flowers. Beside her, a younger woman wears a red turban, rudraksha mala garlands and orange clothing, her hands joined over the tray. A bald, white-bearded man in orange robes and a man in orange with a white shirt reach toward the flame. Behind them, devotees in orange and white stand under a white canopy, and a figure at left stands with palms pressed together wearing a striped shawl and beaded mala.2015-01-13Outdoor ritual at dawn-like hazy light: a woman in a rust-red turban with a small gold emblem and ornate beaded gold necklaces, wearing a dark embroidered garment, smiles while her hands rest over a metal tray holding a small flame. Beside her an older man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala holds a lit flame over the tray, and another older man in saffron robes with a shaved head and white beard extends his hands over the fire. Behind them, several men in orange and white robes and turbans stand watching, and a few hold palm leaves or cloth. This appears to be a fire offering or homa-style ritual.2015-01-13Outdoor photograph in bright, hazy light of a group of saffron-robed people standing shoulder to shoulder, looking upward. On the left, an older bald man with a white beard wears an orange wrap and holds his hands together. In the centre, a person with long dark hair wears a rust-red turban with a crest, a red-brown robe and a long gold-beaded garland with a dark mala. Beside them, a woman in an orange shawl holds her hands clasped at her chest and wears a dark bead necklace. Behind them a man with short hair wears an orange robe, and at the right edge a person wears a yellow and orange cloth with a dark mala. The central figure is a person by appearance cues of swept long hair, a crown-like turban and ornate garland, though this is uncertain. Four to six people are visible.2015-01-13August 09 20072007-08-09January 13 20152015-01-13Outdoor ceremony under a white tent with a hazy, bright atmosphere. At centre, a man in a red-maroon turban and a dark brown dhoti with gold-toned trim and a long beaded mala holds a silver tray with a lit flame and yellow flowers, while an older woman in orange robes and a white forehead marking and beaded necklace holds the other side of the tray. Behind them a bald older man in orange robes and a man in an orange shawl extend their hands toward the flame. At far left a man in an orange-and-brown striped wrap and rudraksha mala presses palms together in prayer. Several men in white and orange turbans stand in the background, with onlookers and hanging decorations visible. The ritual appears to be an aarti with a lit flame over a tray.2015-01-13August 09 20072007-08-09A ritual scene in a hazy, smoky tent with people gathered around a row of coconuts wrapped in red, blue and green cloth and set on the floor with flower petals. A man in a red turban and dark robe holds a brass plate with a flame in the centre. Beside him, a woman in orange robes and a long beaded necklace stands near a man in an orange shawl and bare upper body with white sacred markings. Several men in orange and saffron robes, one in a white turban, and men in white kurtas stand around. A camera operator is at the right edge. The scene resembles an aarti or homa-style offering with coconuts. Another person in white-robed attire holds a mala-like garland near the centre. This appears to be a puja with flame and coconut offerings.2015-01-13January 13 20152015-01-13A photograph of a fire ritual in a hazy tent. Five men stand around a round metal tray holding a small flame, with one man's hands reaching over it. The man second from left wears a red-orange turban, a rudraksha mala and a shawl. A bald man in the centre wears an orange robe and white beard. A man on the right wears an orange robe and stole, and a bald man at far right wears white with an orange shawl and mala. Several people stand behind, including a man in white and a man in yellow at the left edge. Camera equipment and a tripod are visible in the background. The flame and offering tray suggest a homa or aarti ritual.2015-01-13A photo of an outdoor ceremony under a white canopy decorated with marigold garlands. In the foreground a group of saffron-robed sannyasis stand together with hands pressed in namaste. On the right, an older man with a white beard and forehead tilak holds a large brass aarti lamp with multiple lit wicks, topped with a decorative brass ornament and flower garlands. Several people in orange and saffron robes stand behind, with a person in red clothing among them. Ritual aarti in progress.2007-08-09