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Outdoor ritual at the Kanchipuram ashram land inauguration: a central figure in saffron-orange robes with an orange head wrap, long dark hair, and a garland of white and yellow flowers holds a small lit flame over a pit in the ground, with a yellow-flowered garland at his feet. Several men in white dhotis and shirts stand around with palms pressed together, and an older bearded man in orange and a garland stands to the left. Above is a striped purple and white canopy with leafy decoration. The pit is lined with flower petals and a rangoli border, with brass vessels and a plate of offerings nearby. Ritual fire worship, bhoomi pooja setting.

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November 24 20062006-11-24Outdoor bhoomi pooja ceremony under a striped purple, white and teal canopy with leafy garland decoration. A central figure in a saffron-orange robe, an orange turban and a multicoloured flower garland stands at a pit in the ground lined with marigold petals and sand, reaching over yellow bricks and offering flowers or grains. Around him, devotees in white dhotis and shirts stand with palms pressed together in namaskar. Behind, saffron-clad priests hold a tray of offerings and a brass pot, and a kalasha vessel sits at the lower right edge of the pit. Bhoomi pooja, a worship of Mother Earth, is being performed.2006-11-24November 24 20062006-11-24Outdoor ground-breaking ritual under a canopy of mango leaves and colourful fringed cloth. A bare-chested man in an orange turban and orange cloth sits cross-legged with hands folded in prayer, wearing a white flower garland and a rudraksha mala; his distinctive orange head covering and garlands are visible, but his face is turned down and partly obscured, so the appearance is uncertain. Around him, white-clad devotees and others in orange sit or stand with palms pressed together. In front of him are brass plates of flowers, fruit and offerings, and small oil lamps with flames. To the left, a pit in the earth lined with bricks and a small mound with a decorated floor design mark the site. Smoke drifts across the scene.2006-11-24November 24 20062006-11-24November 24 20062006-11-24Photograph of a homa or yagna at night beside a large circular fire pit ringed with orange and white marigold garlands and banana stalks. A figure in a saffron-orange garment with a pink-purple flower garland and long hair stands at right holding a brass vessel and offering. Several men in white dhotis and white shirts, some with orange shawls and rudraksha malas, stand in a row behind the pit, several with folded hands or holding offerings. Decorations with orange flowers and lights are visible in the background.2009-01-12An outdoor land puja on bare red earth beside dry trees and palms. A figure in an orange turban, orange robe and layered rudraksha malas stands centre, receiving a petal offering from a woman in an orange sari who holds a plate of flowers. A young sapling with leaves stands in a ring of flowers and a small arrangement of fruit, lamps and offerings lies on a striped mat at left. Around them, men and women in white dhotis, white shirts and white saris stand with palms pressed together, and one man at right wears a white dhoti and grey shirt. A man in white at far left wears a dark rudraksha-style necklace. The scene is a ceremonial ground-blessing on open land.2010-02-15February 18 20112011-02-18 +1 copiesOutdoor ground-breaking ritual under a canopy of green leaves and red-and-black striped cloth. A seated man in an orange robe with long hair and a white flower garland presses his palms together in prayer, while a younger man in white with curly hair and an orange shawl leans forward to offer from a silver plate. Behind them, a deity murti draped in flower garlands sits on a raised platform with a kalasha and lamps. Seated and standing devotees in white dhotis and shirts fold their hands, and yellow turmeric-coloured blocks lie on blue cloth in the foreground. Several people in white ritual dress stand along the back.2006-11-24Outdoor ceremony under a red and gold patterned canopy, with a pandal post wrapped in pink tinsel on the right. A central figure in an orange saffron robe and orange turban wears a white and multicoloured flower garland and holds a brass vessel with fruit over a floor of scattered yellow marigold petals, apparently performing a puja or abhishekam. Beside him a man in white shirt and trousers with bare feet pours or offers from a bowl. To the left, three women in saris, one in yellow, another in white with gold borders, stand with hands folded in prayer, and several men in white dhotis and orange shawls stand behind. A white plastic chair sits at right beside a table with offerings.2007-02-06July 12 20062006-07-12