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Night-time ritual at a stone ghat-like terrace lined with rows of black Shiva lingas and small oil lamps. A standing figure in a leopard-print wrap, red-brown dhoti and a long gold-and-beaded necklace walks down the stone steps, with a shaved head and a red mark on the forehead. Seated devotees fill the steps on the left, some in white, pink and teal clothing, and red triangular flags and string lights decorate the railings and the right side. Lamps and lights glow against the dark sky.

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Night photograph of a stepped ghat-like pool area at a temple event, lit by bright floodlights and strings of coloured lights. Dozens of seated devotees in saffron, pink, teal and white clothes fill the tiered steps on the left, and many black Shiva lingas stand in rows along the steps. A single standing man in a red-and-brown patterned lower garment and a red-brown head wrap wears a long gold-and-beaded garland and walks down the central stairway. Red flags line the walkway on the right, and rows of small lamps are arranged on the far steps.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night-time outdoor ritual at a stepped tank-side arena lit by floodlights and strings of coloured bulbs. In the foreground a bare-chested man in a leopard-print wrap and maroon dhoti stands with palms joined in namaskar, a rudraksha-style mala around his neck, his head covered with a red cloth. Behind him, dozens of seated devotees in white, cream and bright saris and kurtas hold small oil lamps and lit wicks. Rows of black stone Shiva lingas with brass fittings and small flames stand along the steps. Red flags and a loudspeaker are visible at the edges.2016-12-08Night outdoor ritual at a tiered stone ghat-style stepped platform lined with black Shiva lingas on pedestals. A large crowd of devotees, many in white, cream and pastel clothing, sits on the steps, some with hands folded in prayer. In the foreground a figure in a rust-brown wrap and leopard-print skirt, with a dark turban and a strand of marigold garlands, stands with arms raised facing the audience. Strings of colourful lights, red flags and bright floodlights frame the scene, and a camera rig is visible at left.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night photograph of an outdoor ritual at a stepped pond or ghat, lit by tall white floodlights and strings of coloured lights. A man in a red-and-maroon turban and a leopard-print sleeveless top with a dhoti stands on the lower stone step in front, wearing a heavy yellow-gold bead necklace. Behind him, many seated devotees in white, teal, purple and orange clothes fill the tiered steps, with rows of black Shiva lingams on the left and red flags along the railings. The scene is busy with spectators, ritual objects and lit lamps.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large outdoor ghat-style stepped amphitheatre during a Rudrabhishekam ritual at a healing pond. Rows of seated devotees fill the left steps, many women in pink, green and white saris and some men in white, while rows of small black Shiva lingams line the steps in front. A lone bare-chested man with a long yellow-beaded necklace and a leopard-print wrap over rust-coloured dhoti walks down the stone steps at centre, with a red-and-white flagged railing behind him. Red flags, string lights, bright floodlights and a glowing illuminated arch decorate the background.2016-12-08Night ritual on stone steps at an illuminated outdoor pond. In the foreground a bearded man in a brown and maroon wrap with a leopard-print drape, a maroon turban, and a long yellow-and-gold bead garland walks barefoot down the steps. Rows of seated devotees on both sides, many with palms pressed together in namaskar, face him. Black Shiva lingas are arranged along the steps in front of the seated crowd, and small oil lamps line the terraces. Red flags, string lights and floodlights frame the scene.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large outdoor ritual on stone steps lit by bright floodlights and strings of coloured lights. Many seated devotees, mostly in white and light clothing, fill the tiered steps, with black Shiva lingas arranged along the stairs in front of them and small oil lamps glowing. In the centre stands a bearded man with a dark wrapped head cloth, bare-chested, wearing a long yellow-gold garland and a leopard-print dhoti over a maroon cloth, hands on his hips. Red flags flutter along the railings on the right. The setting suggests a Rudrabhishekam ritual at a pond-side ghat, though the standing man's exact role is not stated.2016-12-08