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A photograph of a temple-style ritual under a corrugated roof hung with strings of white paper-leaf decorations. Five men in saffron-orange dhotis or robes, several with white upper cloths, raise large brass aarti lamps with flaming tiered wicks in unison above a long metal counter. Along the front, a row of women in white saris with red or yellow borders sit before rows of brass oil lamps, kalasha-style vessels and puja items. Behind them, a seated crowd of devotees watches the aarti, and a wall shows framed pictures and a printed banner. The setting suggests an aarti ceremony during a festival celebration.

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December 31 20082008-12-31A ceremonial aarti at an open-sided hall with a corrugated roof decorated with hanging strands of white and green leaves. Six young men stand along a raised platform holding brass multi-tiered oil lamps aloft; four wear saffron/orange dhotis and shawls, while the two on the right wear white dhotis with orange shawls. Behind them, a row of women in white saris with orange or gold borders sit cross-legged along the front, tending rows of small brass lamps and bowls on the floor. A crowd of devotees sits in the background, and framed pictures hang on the back wall. Brass lamps and offerings are arranged along the platform.2008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31A covered ritual hall during a festival puja. Five men stand along a long stainless-steel counter, most wearing saffron-orange dhotis and shawls, one in white with an orange shawl, each swinging a large lit camphor or ghee aarti lamp with flames rising. Along the counter, several women in white saris with dark shawls sit cross-legged, tending rows of small brass oil lamps and kalasha-style vessels. Hanging strings of gold-tinted paper leaves decorate the ceiling, and framed pictures and a banner sit on the back wall. Devotees watch from behind a steel railing on the right. Aarti performance during the Jayanti-Brahmotsavam celebrations.2008-12-31A photograph of a temple hall during an aarti ceremony. Several men in saffron-orange robes stand along a long raised platform, holding tall multi-tiered brass lamps with flames aloft. Men in white dhotis with orange shawls stand among them. Along the front, women in white saris sit in rows behind rows of small brass oil lamps (diyas) arranged on the floor and platform, some holding lit lamps. Strings of white paper-cut leaves hang from the ceiling, and framed pictures of deities line the back wall. Devotees sit in the background watching.2008-12-31Photograph of a temple hall during a ritual where several devotees in saffron and orange garments perform aarti with flaming lamps held aloft on brass holders. Along a long metal-topped table in the foreground, women in white sarees sit in rows tending many small brass oil lamps. Paper garlands hang from the ceiling and framed pictures line the back wall. A crowd of devotees watches behind a railing.2008-12-31A photograph of an aarti ceremony in a covered ashram hall with a corrugated roof decorated with hanging white paper flower strands. Five men in saffron-orange and white dhotis and shawls stand along a long metal counter, each raising a brass lamp with tiered flames in a circular motion. Women in white saris with orange borders sit along the counter below, tending rows of small brass oil lamps. Devotees watch from behind a metal railing, and framed images hang on the walls.2008-12-31December 30 20082008-12-30A photograph of an aarti ceremony in a covered hall with a corrugated roof decorated with hanging white flower strands. Five men in saffron-orange shawls over white dhotis hold up large flaming lamps toward a long metal-topped table. Along the table, women in white saris sit in a row tending rows of brass oil lamps, with more brass lamps lined along the floor. Framed pictures and banners hang on the back walls, and a seated audience fills the background.2008-12-31December 31 20082008-12-31Photograph of a temple ritual in a covered open-sided hall with a corrugated metal roof hung with strings of green leaves and flowers. Five men stand along a raised platform in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, holding brass bells and ritual implements; the man on the far left wears white. Below them, several women in white saris sit on a mat in front of rows of brass oil lamps, one of them holding a small plate. At the right, a deity murti decorated with garlands and a gold-coloured canopy sits on an orange-draped altar, and a few seated men in white stand nearby. Colourful painted pillars frame the hall. The scene reads as an aarti or puja with brass lamps.2008-12-31A photo of an aarti ceremony in a covered hall hung with white flower strands. Several men in saffron-orange dhotis and shawls stand on a raised platform, swinging brass multi-tier aarti lamps with flames. Women in white saris sit in a row below, holding small oil lamps and trays, with rows of brass lamps lined along the floor. A man in white clothes with an orange shawl stands at the right end. Devotees sit in the background, and framed pictures hang on the walls.2008-12-31