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Outdoor photo beneath a large banyan tree with aerial roots. A young man in a saffron-orange robe and orange turban stands at centre with palms pressed together, wearing a white and pink flower garland and a rudraksha mala, a white smoke or incense plume rising beside him. To his left a man in white clothes holds a gold ceremonial vessel. Behind and beside them, men in white shirts and white dhotis stand with hands folded, and a woman in a yellow sari stands among them. On the right an older man in white dhoti with red-striped border and a white shawl presses his palms together. The setting appears to be a sacred outdoor ritual of padapuja or puja at a banyan tree, with devotees gathered around.

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June 12 20042004-06-12Night outdoor ritual under a large spreading tree with thick low branches. On the right, a figure in an orange saffron shawl and orange turban, wearing a rudraksha mala and a gold pendant, holds a white fly-whisk-style chamara and stands near a small raised platform. Behind and around, a group of men and women in white ritual clothing stand with hands folded or raised in prayer. In the foreground, a man in white bends low to touch a metal bowl filled with flower petals and offerings, with a small brass vessel beside it. A woman in a white sari with folded hands stands among the devotees, and a bell is visible at the right edge.2003-03-01Outdoor photo beneath a large banyan tree with hanging garlands of white flowers strung between its aerial roots. A long-haired figure in an orange saffron shawl and orange dhoti sits on a white cloth, smiling, with a red flower offering nearby and a rudraksha mala around the neck. Around them stand men in white kurtas and dhotis, several wearing rudraksha malas and hands in anjali pose, and a woman in white with an orange shawl in the foreground. An older woman with grey hair kneels in white at the lower left. The gathering appears to be a devotional seating with devotees in white clothing. Swamiji (probable) is the seated figure in orange with long hair and a rudraksha mala, based on distinctive saffron clothing, long hair and beaded adornment, seated as a guru receiving devotees.2006-07-12Outdoor photo of a central figure in an orange saffron shawl with a long rudraksha mala, long dark hair, and a red bindi, holding a brass aarti lamp with a bright flame in the right hand and a brass handbell in the left. Behind him, a banyan tree with aerial roots. A woman on the left in a white and cream sari with gold bangles and a red bindi stands with palms pressed together, and a man on the right in white kurta with glasses also has his hands in anjali. Surrounding devotees in white and cream clothing and glasses watch the aarti. The setting suggests aarti performed during a ritual gathering.2006-07-23 +1 copiesOutdoor ritual aarti at a large banyan tree. A man in an orange saffron wrap with long dark hair and a red bindi, wearing a rudraksha mala, holds a brass plate with a burning flame. Around him devotees stand with palms pressed together in prayer. A woman on the left wears a white sari with a red border and red and gold bangles. A bearded man in a white shirt holds a brass handbell while praying. Other devotees in white and cream clothes, several wearing glasses, stand close together under the tree's aerial roots.2006-07-23July 02 20042004-07-022004 - First Sannyas Deeksha At AdiKailaasa2004-07-02A photograph of an outdoor ritual beneath a large banyan tree with thick hanging aerial roots. In the centre, a man in a saffron-orange garment with a rudraksha mala and bare feet holds a brass aarti plate with a lit flame raised high. Around him, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and white kurtas stand and sit with palms pressed together in namaskar. Some women wear sarees in yellow and white. On the right, a stone deity or sacred figure is adorned with a multicoloured garland of flowers and a rope of yellow and maroon flowers, and a golden cobra-hood figure sits near the base. A man in white at the edge of the frame appears to be pouring or offering something at the shrine. The setting is a shaded outdoor sacred grove.2006-07-23Outdoor photo beneath a large banyan tree with dense aerial roots. A tall figure with long dark hair, wearing an orange-saffron robe and a rudraksha mala, stands with palms pressed together in prayer, a probable Swamiji by appearance: long swept hair, saffron clothing and rudraksha beads. Around them a crowd of devotees in white ritual clothes sit and stand, hands folded, including a woman in a white sari with red border and a woman in lavender. At right, a stone cobra hood sculpture is draped with a garland of multicoloured flowers and yellow marigold strands, with a kalasha-like stone base; a figure in white kneels beside it. Woven mats cover the ground. The banyan trunk and lush foliage fill the background.2006-07-23Outdoor photograph beneath a large banyan tree with dense aerial roots. A bearded man in a white dhoti and white shawl, right hand over his chest, walks forward with a line of devotees in white kurtas and dhotis behind him. At front left, a young man in saffron-orange robes walks barefoot. At right, a large deity murti draped in orange cloth and garlanded with yellow marigolds and red flowers, with red offerings and flower petals on a stone base in the foreground. A stone pillar stands among the group, and a camera is held by a man in white at centre-right.2009-10-15Outdoor photograph beneath a large banyan tree with thick aerial roots. A man in an orange saffron wrap and matching orange turban, with long dark hair, a rudraksha mala around his neck and white ash marks on his arm, stands at left holding a small brass ritual vessel in his hands. Behind and around him, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and white saris stand with palms pressed together in namaskar, while a bearded man in white sits in the front row. The setting suggests an open-air ritual gathering. Appearance-based label: Swamiji (probable), based on orange turban, saffron wrap and rudraksha mala, standing and conducting the ritual.2004-07-02Outdoor photo of a devotional ritual beneath a large banyan tree with thick aerial roots. In the centre, a bare-chested man in an orange saffron shawl and rudraksha malas holds a brass plate with a lit oil lamp flame aloft in both hands. Behind him, a man in white kurta holds a brass bell in his right hand while folding his palms in prayer. Around them, devotees in white kurtas and sarees stand with palms pressed together in namaste, some wearing glasses, with a woman in a cream saree and gold bangles at left. The crowd of about two dozen people fills the frame, and a partial woven textile with orange, white and blue threads appears at the lower right corner.2006-07-23