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Night outdoor ritual of a padapuja or satsang-style ceremony on a paved courtyard. A young priest in a plain white dhoti and shawl sits centre-left, hands raised over a row of brass and silver vessels, small bowls of flowers, a lit oil lamp and a brass kalasha set on a low stone platform. Beside him a younger attendant in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas arranges yellow marigold flowers into a brass pot. Several other saffron-robed young people sit on a peach cloth, some with white tilak markings on their faces, and one reads from an open book before a microphone stand. A metal tray and scattered petals lie on the ground.

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Night-time outdoor ritual on a raised stone platform: a young man in white dhoti and shawl with a gold border sits cross-legged at the centre, white vibhuti stripes on his arms and forehead, rudraksha mala and a thin wrist cord. Around him sit several young men in saffron-orange robes, rudraksha malas and white forehead markings, some chanting or reading from open books and a blue folder set on a stand with a microphone. Yellow marigold garlands, a brass bowl of sweets, a lit oil lamp, a brass kalasha-style vessel and a brass lamp rest on the platform, with a yellow flower garland in the foreground. A seated man in white stands behind at left, and a table with offerings sits in the background.2013-12-17December 17 20132013-12-17Outdoor ritual on a cloth-covered floor at night. A shaved-headed young priest in white dhoti with gold border sits centrally, holding a stick, with white ash markings on his forehead and arms and a rudraksha mala. Three young men in saffron-orange cloth with white tripundra markings and beaded malas sit around him; the one at left sings from a book on a blue stand before a microphone, and the one at right holds a bundle of sticks. Brass vessels, a small kalasha-like pot, yellow and red flower garlands, a lit oil lamp in a brass cup and a metal tray stand in front. A green metal cabinet and foliage are behind them. a person is not visibly present in this image.2013-12-17A night-time ritual on a cloth-covered floor. A man with a shaved head, bare-chested and wearing a white dhoti with a gold border, kneels at a low stone platform arranging small brass bowls, cups and a pot of water. Behind him, five young men in saffron-orange robes sit on the floor, several with white forehead markings and rudraksha beads; one reads from a sheet of paper in front of a microphone on a stand. A brass kalasha wrapped in yellow marigolds and green leaves stands in the foreground, with scattered petals and a brass plate nearby.2013-12-17Night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna fire pit lined with white marble. Several young boys in saffron-orange dhotis and wraps with pink-red borders sit around the square pit, hands folded in prayer or placing offerings. Their foreheads and arms bear white painted markings and they wear beaded necklaces. Two older men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas sit at the far side tending brass vessels, a small oil lamp and a small fire. Yellow marigold garlands lie along the pit edge, and fruit, bananas and a brass pot sit at right beside a purple cloth.2013-12-19Night photograph of a fire ritual at a square stone fire pit with a sunken centre and a bright flame. A central priest in white dhoti and white shawl, with white forehead markings, rudraksha malas and gold ornaments, sits behind the fire. Around him, about seven young men and boys in saffron-orange robes with white forehead and body markings sit on mats and cloth; some hold objects and one folds his hands. Yellow marigold garlands line the pit, and brass pots, plates of bananas, coconuts and fruit sit to the right, with a golden ratha-like cart visible at the top. The scene is a homa ritual with offerings.2013-12-19December 20 20132013-12-20December 19 20132013-12-19December 19 20132013-12-19December 19 20132013-12-19December 19 20132013-12-19 +3 copiesDecember 21 20132013-12-21