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Night photo of a ritual at a courtyard with string lights strung overhead. A tall copper-coloured flagstaff stands on a white raised platform, and a man in an orange robe stands on the platform, reaching up to the top of the pole and tying or hoisting saffron and red cloth. Around the base, about a dozen people in white dhotis and white kurtas stand in a loose ring, several holding ropes or looking up. A woman in a white sari with a red border stands at the left edge. A white building with a sign is behind them, and a small wooden stool with a brass lamp sits to the right. The scene looks like a flag-raising or pole-hoisting ceremony.

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December 21 20072007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21Night photograph of an outdoor ritual at an ashram-like compound lit by strings of multicoloured fairy lights stretched in arcs from a tall central wooden pole. A bright vertical light column rises at the pole's centre. Around the base, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and white kurtas or saris stands in a loose ring, with several women in orange and saffron saris and one in a yellow sari. Palm trees frame the right side and a white stepped platform sits near the pole. A figure in an orange robe stands close to the pole, apparently at a ceremonial focal point. a person's presence cannot be confirmed from appearance, so the figure is described only by role and dress.2007-12-21Night scene in an open courtyard strung with multicoloured fairy lights and glowing bulbs. A figure in orange robes stands atop a tall copper-coloured ceremonial pole, holding its top and reaching toward a hanging cord, with green foliage and a red cloth bundle at the pole's top. Around the courtyard, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and kurtas, several with orange shawls, stands with hands folded and faces raised in worship. A man in white holds a rope, and a brass plate of offerings sits on a small wooden stool at right. White-washed buildings form the backdrop. The scene resembles a festival pole-raising or flag-hoisting rite.2007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21Night photo of a ceremonial flagstaff or dhwaja stambha wrapped with strings of fairy lights, with a tall copper or brass pillar carved with ornamental bands and a small deity relief near its base. Strings of lights radiate outward from the pole to the dark sky. At the lower left, a man in a white shirt and white dhoti pulls a rope or guide line. Near the base, a woman in an orange top kneels beside the pole, and another man in white and a man in orange stand nearby holding ritual items. The scene appears to be a night pole-raising or pole-erection ceremony at an outdoor event. A cross-hatched orange cloth hangs from the base of the pole.2007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21December 21 20072007-12-21Night photograph of a ritual at a white stone platform beneath a tall copper-coloured ceremonial pole strung with lights. A man in an orange robe and orange shawl stands at the top of the platform, with a bundle of grass or straw held near the pole. Around the platform, devotees in white dhotis and orange shawls hold ropes that run up to the pole, and some hold leaves or offering plates. A woman in an orange garment in the lower right holds a brass plate of flowers. Palm trees and strings of electric lights frame the scene. Some people appear to be pulling on the ropes to raise or position the pole.2007-12-21Night outdoor ritual beneath strings of lights and palm trees. A tall copper-coloured ceremonial pillar rises centrally, with a woman in an orange saffron sari standing on a raised white platform, reaching up to tie or hoist an orange flag with green leaves attached to the pillar. Around her, a crowd of people in white clothes with orange shawls or stoles stands with hands raised or folded, some holding small objects; a few onlookers wear red and dark clothing. Illuminated garland lights stretch diagonally across the frame. A pale platter of offerings sits on the platform near the base.2007-12-21