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Three priests in matching red-orange dhotis with gold-bordered cloth stand around a tall copper-coloured ceremonial pillar on a stone base, which is decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands and carved floral bands. The priest at the centre wears a red upper cloth and a white-beaded garland, and reaches up to adjust the pillar; the bald priest on the left and the priest on the right also grip its upper section. A translucent white canopy shelters the open-air stage, with a few onlookers and potted greenery visible behind. Their attire suggests a flag-hoisting ritual rather than a homa.

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October 05 20142014-10-05August 31st 20142014-08-31October 05 20142014-10-05Three priests in orange-saffron dhotis and shawls perform a ritual around a large ornate bronze-and-copper kalasha-style vessel on a stone base. Two bare-chested priests at left and right hold a yellow cord stretched across the top of the vessel, while a woman in a red-and-gold sari with a red garland stands in the centre and reaches up to touch it. The vessel is draped with yellow and white marigold garlands and has a green leafy top. Below, a crowd of devotees in saffron and white stands under a corrugated roof, with marigold petals scattered on the base.2013-10-05Two shaven-headed sannyasi-style men in maroon-red dhotis and wraps with gold borders stand at the base of a tall copper dhwajasthamba (flagpole) being raised. Both grip the copper pillar with outstretched arms; one holds a rope running up the pole. The ornate copper column is draped with yellow and red marigold garlands. Palm fronds and greenery surround the red-tiled platform, and a few onlookers stand at the lower edge of the frame, partially visible. Ritual flagpole raising.2014-08-31A photograph of a ceremonial flag-hoisting at an outdoor temple pavilion. A copper-coloured ritual pole stands on a large ornate bronze base decorated with garlands of yellow and white flowers, and bundles of straw hang from its top with a white cloth draped around it. Three men in saffron-orange dhotis help raise the pole: one on the left wears a rust-brown robe, a red-and-pink garland and a red turban, and another on the right has a bare chest, rudraksha beads and gold armbands. Another priest in orange stands behind the base. A crowd of onlookers stands along the edge at left, and colourful hanging decorations and lamps fill the covered area above.2016-12-14Outdoor photo of a flag-hoisting ceremony at a red-painted pole base beneath palm trees. Three men in rust-red dhotis with gold-bordered shawls are working on the pole: the man at left leans in with his arm extended, the man at centre wears a marigold garland and a rudraksha mala and holds the upper part of the pole, and the shaven-headed man at right pulls a rope. Onlookers stand at the left edge of the platform. Ornate red-and-copper pole base with carved detail is visible.2014-10-05Outdoors beside a tall palm tree, three shaven-headed men in rust-red and saffron-banded robes stand around an ornate copper-coloured metal pillar on a red base. Garlands of yellow marigolds and red flowers hang on the pillar. The man at left reaches up with a rope or cord, the man at centre grips the pillar top, and a third man on the right with a wristwatch and folded cloth over his shoulder looks on. Coconut palms and greenery fill the background, with a few onlookers at the lower edge.2014-09-09October 05 20142014-10-05Outdoor photograph of a dhwajarohanam flagpole ritual at a temple grounds. Two priests in rust-red and saffron-banded dhoti and shawl stand beside a tall copper dhwaja staff, which has a carved copper base and a small carved shrine-like cap. Yellow and red marigold garlands are draped on the staff, and one priest reaches up to touch it while the other holds a vessel.2015-09-08November 26 20142014-11-26November 26 20142014-11-26