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A bearded man in an orange-brown robe stands at the centre of a temple hall, wearing a long garland of yellow and red flowers with green leaves around his neck. He has white and ash forehead markings with a red-brown central line and holds a bundle of green leaves and a stalk in both hands. Around him, other men in saffron-orange robes and a woman with a white forehead mark stand near a tall golden staff; the hall has strings of small coloured lights overhead. The scene suggests a ritual or ceremonial moment, with the central man appearing focused on the leafy offering.

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March 02 20182018-03-02March 02 20182018-03-02March 02 20182018-03-02March 02 20182018-03-02A photograph of a ritual at night under a red-and-gold umbrella hung with colourful tassels. A central figure in an orange-brown robe wears a garland of white jasmine and red roses and holds a bundle of green leaves, sprinkling or waving them over a metal vessel in front. To the left, a woman in a red-brown shawl stands with hands folded, and behind, several men in orange robes stand with palms pressed together. On the right, a young man in orange holds the gold pole of the umbrella, wearing a rudraksha mala and a white forehead mark. Bamboo scaffolding, string lights and a camera tripod surround the open-air space.2018-03-02A photograph of a bearded man in an orange-brown ochre sannyasi robe standing outdoors at night, with a large garland of yellow marigolds, red flowers, white blossoms and green leaves draped over his shoulders and chest. He has white and red tilak markings on his forehead and holds a bamboo staff in one hand. Another person in white dhoti and white shirt with a ring on his finger hands him a small offering or receives his hands in a greeting. Behind them, a second man in a yellow and white dhoti holds green leaves, a red carpet lies on the ground, red curtains hang on a pillar, and white deity statues stand in the background of a temple courtyard.2018-03-02A bearded man with swept-back dark hair, wearing a long brown-orange robe and a large garland of red roses, yellow marigolds and white flowers, stands with eyes lowered while a man in orange clothes raises a green leafy branch above his head. Ash lines mark his forehead and a red-and-white thread is tied on his wrist. Beside him a young attendant in orange robes and a rudraksha mala holds a tall gold-handled umbrella with a red canopy and tassels. Other saffron-clad attendants stand behind, some with hands folded in prayer, on a sandy floor inside a scaffolded hall with pillars, speakers and a stand. The scene suggests a ritual welcome with garlanding.2018-03-02Night-time outdoor ritual under a temporary structure hung with tasselled fabric canopies and string lights. A bearded man in the centre wears a saffron-brown top, a fresh garland of white, yellow and red flowers with green leaves, and tilak on his forehead; he is bending forward and holding a bundle of green leaves with both hands. Behind him, several men in orange and saffron robes stand with rudraksha malas and tilak; one on the right holds a tall gold pole and another in orange cloth stands with hands folded. Scaffolding, a stand light and cables are visible, and a tripod lamp is on the right. Four to five physically present people are visible.2018-03-02A photograph of a ritual at an outdoor pavilion under a red canopy with tasselled fringe. A central figure with long dark hair, a short beard and white and red tilak marks wears a saffron-orange shawl and a large garland of red roses, yellow marigolds and white flowers. He raises his right arm holding green leaves and sprinkles water over a metal vessel in front of him, as in an abhishekam. Around him, saffron-robed attendants stand with hands folded; one younger attendant with a rudraksha mala holds the gold-tipped canopy pole. A wooden scaffold and stage lights are visible behind.2018-03-02A photograph of an indoor ritual scene under a canopy hung with tassels in red, green, blue and orange. At centre, a man in an orange-brown cloth wears a thick garland of white, yellow and red flowers with green leaves, and a horizontal white forehead mark, and is bending over a kalasha-style vessel holding green leaves. To his right, a younger man in orange robes and rudraksha beads holds a gold-tipped pole of the canopy. Behind them, several men in orange cloths stand with hands folded, and a woman in orange draped cloth stands at left. Scaffolding and lights are visible overhead. Several people are partially visible in the foreground.2018-03-02A man with eyes closed and hands pressed together stands in the centre of an outdoor crowd beneath green leafy trees. He wears a thick garland of red roses, yellow roses, white jasmine and green leaves, plus ornate gold necklaces, a brown-maroon cloth wrapped over the shoulder and a small gold earring. White sacred ash marks his forehead. Behind him, men in saffron-orange cloths and orange headwraps stand with hands folded or hold a flower tray at the lower left. Several bare-chested men in white dhoti-style cloths stand nearby. The distinctive long swept-back hair, ceremonial gold necklaces and garland match the Swamiji (probable) appearance cues, shown in person.2017-09-02March 02 20182018-03-02