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A photograph taken under a corrugated metal roof with bamboo supports in an open outdoor shrine set against a rocky hillside. In the foreground a figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe holds a bright flame aloft in both hands, performing an aarti or fire ritual. Beside the flame stands a brass oil lamp stand with multiple tiers. To the right, a small carved wooden shrine holds a framed deity image garlanded with orange and yellow flower garlands, with a deity murti and a bowl beside it. A green cloth with white border covers a low platform, and heaps of marigold and yellow flowers and fruit offerings lie before the shrine. A tall decorated pillar wrapped in colourful patterned fabric stands in the background. Several men in white shirts and dhotis stand at the left edge, watching the ritual.

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A photograph of an outdoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof supported by bamboo poles, with rocky hillside and grass behind. In the foreground a figure in an orange-saffron cloth draped over the back, facing away, holds a lit flame aloft over a fire pit or offering area. Several men in white dhotis and shirts stand at left. On the right a shrine holds a framed portrait garlanded with a flower necklace and a deity murti, with brass oil lamps (kuthuvilakku) beside it. Floral arrangements and offering trays covered with green and white cloth lie in front, and a painted decorated pillar stands near the centre.2008-11-11A photograph of an outdoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof with bamboo supports. A woman with long dark curly hair in an orange sari holds a lit flame or camphor-type torch over a tiered stone altar draped with a teal cloth and decorated with marigold and flower garlands. Around her, several people in white clothes stand with hands folded in prayer. Behind the altar, a painted pillar with red and blue patterns rises, and on the right, brass figures and pots adorned with yellow flowers are arranged. A rocky hillside and trees form the backdrop. Visible people number about six to eight, and a dark wooden cladding, a kalasha-like pot and a shrine-like structure with figures appear behind. Some items suggest a homa or puja setting.2008-11-11Outdoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof with bamboo poles. In the foreground a man with long dark hair, bare-backed and wearing an orange cloth, leans over a tiered wooden platform decorated with yellow marigold and pink flower garlands. To the right, a cameraman in white clothes with an orange shawl films the scene. Behind them a wooden shrine holds a framed portrait garlanded with orange and white flowers, a deity murti with a flower garland, and rows of brass oil lamps and flower-decorated kalasha pots on a green-and-white cloth. A painted cylindrical pillar with coloured geometric patterns hangs at left, and a rocky hillside shows in the background.2008-11-11A photograph taken under a corrugated metal roof on a rough outdoor site with a rocky hill behind. In the foreground a figure with long dark hair wearing an orange-saffron garment leans over a long wooden platform decorated with yellow and red flower garlands and marigold petals, apparently performing an offering. Behind the platform a rectangular green cloth is spread, and a tall decorated wooden pole with painted geometric panels stands at left. To the right stands an ornate dark wooden palanquin or shrine canopy hung with white and red floral garlands, with a framed image inside, flanked by brass pots and brass vessels filled with yellow flowers and a small deity figure. Several other people in white and light clothing stand at the left edge, and one person in white sits near the centre background.2008-11-11A photograph of an outdoor ritual shelter under a corrugated metal roof with bamboo poles, set against a rocky hillside. A figure in an orange robe, bare-backed with long dark hair, holds a flaming lamp or camphor fire over a fire-pit altar decorated with rows of yellow and orange flower garlands. Two men in white dhotis and shirts stand behind, one in the foreground at left. On the right, a carved wooden throne-like altar holds a framed portrait garlanded with red flowers, flanked by a deity murti decorated with yellow garlands, brass pots and offerings, and a brass oil lamp stand. A green cloth covers the lower altar. The scene appears to be a fire ritual or aarti.2006-11-11An outdoor ritual shrine set against a rocky hillside with dry grass. In the foreground, a figure in a saffron-orange robe with long dark hair holds a lit lamp toward the altar. Behind the altar, a man in white clothing raises a metal vessel overhead while smoke rises from a fire pit. The shrine holds a framed portrait of a figure in orange garlanded with marigold and red flower strings, flanked by small deity murtis and marigold offerings. A tiered brass lamp stand stands at right beside a bamboo scaffold and a teal cloth-covered offering table.2008-11-11A photograph of an outdoor fire ritual under a corrugated metal roof supported by painted wooden pillars. A woman with long dark hair wearing an orange saffron sari holds an offering over a large flaming fire pit (homa/yagna). The fire pit is built up in layers of earth and decorated with yellow and pink flower garlands, with a brown carved backdrop and a teal and white cloth draped over the foreground. Around her, people in white clothes and orange shawls stand with hands folded in prayer, and others sit on the ground, including a man in white playing a musical instrument on the right. Brick construction blocks and ritual items are arranged nearby.2008-11-11Outdoor puja at a makeshift shrine on a rocky hillside with a bamboo frame. A priest in orange clothing holds a flaming oil lamp (aarti) at left, while a second figure in white garments raises a vessel overhead. Before them are two bronze deity murti adorned with white and yellow garlands, flower offerings, and a framed portrait beneath a carved wooden canopy. The portrait shows a figure in orange robes and rudraksha beads, decorated with garlands. Tall brass oil lamps stand at right, and tables are covered with striped green and pink cloths and marigold petals.2008-11-11Outdoor puja under a corrugated metal roof held up by bamboo poles, with a rocky green hillside behind. On the left, two people in white with orange shawls sit at a raised platform decorated with marigold petals, one speaking into a microphone beside a small flame. On the right, a large dark wooden throne-like seat with a canopy of striped fabric holds a framed portrait garlanded in red and orange flowers, flanked by small deity murtis and a bull figure. Brass kalasha pots with mango leaves and a tall brass lamp stand in front, and a teal cloth covers a low table in the foreground. A tall striped and patterned banner hangs on a post at left.2008-11-11Outdoor ritual under a tent with a corrugated roof and bamboo poles, rocky hillside behind. A man in long dark hair and saffron-orange robes stands at left, holding a white ritual fan or whisk, facing a tiered fire pit with a flame and flower-strewn edges. Behind the fire, a seated man in white clothes tends the offering. On the right are two orange-and-gold deity murtis with garlands, a framed portrait draped in marigold garlands, and brass vessels with flowers on tables covered in striped cloths. Other people in white and orange stand at the left edge. This appears to be a homa or fire ritual.2008-11-11Outdoor ritual scene under a corrugated roof supported by bamboo poles, with a rocky hillside behind. On the left, a person in white clothes holds a lit flame or lamp above a long low platform decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands, with smoke rising. On the right, a carved wooden throne-like seat holds a framed portrait of a figure in orange-red garments, draped with white and orange flower garlands. Before it stand a small deity murti with flowers, brass and ornate vessels, and a striped green-and-red cloth draped over a table. A green cloth covers the foreground table with a metal plate.2008-11-11November 11 20062006-11-11