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A ritual scene in an open pavilion with a sandy floor decorated with white and coloured kolam designs. In the foreground, three women in saffron-orange cloth sit cross-legged over a large floral mandala of yellow and white marigolds and red flower petals, with brass lamps and small figurines placed on it. The woman at centre holds a lit lamp or flame over the offerings, while the woman on the left and the one on the right sit with palms pressed together in prayer. Two large clay pots decorated with greenery and bananas sit behind them, and a set of bananas lies to the left. Behind them, a standing crowd of devotees in orange and white clothing, with hands folded, faces a raised seat draped in red and white at the back where a figure in orange robes and a garland sits. Decorative orange and red canopies frame the seat. A tall wooden pillar edges the left foreground.

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KAILASA FAMILIA PORTUGUESA, PORTUGAL on 1/14/20182018-01-14Outdoor ritual in a covered open-sided pavilion with a sandy ground. Sannyasis in saffron-orange robes sit on striped mats around a floral kolam drawn in white on the floor, edged with yellow marigold garlands, with brass kalasha pots, pineapples, bananas, and a flower-covered platform with an offering tray. A bare-chested priest in orange cloth with a rudraksha-style headband pours from a vessel at the right. A standing figure at left wears a maroon-brown robe with a tall red turban, long beaded mala and large ceremonial garland, and stands before a crowd of devotees, many in orange, some children with palms together, others in white dhotis and maroon saris. A brass oil lamp and a yellow ceremonial flag stand at right.2018-01-14A photograph of a Pongal celebration in an open-sided outdoor pavilion. In the foreground, a seated figure in orange robes with a bare back and a headband sits before a large flower-covered tray of white rice and yellow and red blossoms, arranged on a striped mat. Beside it, a standing figure in orange bends forward to place offerings. Sugarcane stalks and bananas lie on the ground, and a white kolam with a marigold garland border decorates the floor. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha pot sit nearby. Behind them, a group of people in orange clothes stand with hands folded in namaskar. One man at left wears a red turban, a multi-strand flower garland and a rudraksha-style necklace over a white garment. Other devotees in orange and white stand along the back, and an orange banner with an emblem hangs at upper right.2018-01-14Outdoor Pongal ritual at the Tiruvannamalai Aadheenam under a canopy. Several people in saffron-orange robes stand and kneel around a white kolam decorated with yellow marigold garlands. Clay pots with leaves and bananas are arranged on the ground, and a woman in a blue sari pours or arranges items near a clay pot. A standing sannyasi in saffron holds a small brass vessel and a bell, and another kneels at a tray of flowers, kumkum and offerings. Behind them, a row of devotees with palms pressed together watches the ritual. Concrete steps and a red-striped sun umbrella frame the scene.2018-01-14A photograph of a Pongal celebration in an open-sided pavilion. Saffron-robed sannyasis and women in orange saris stand on a red mat around a clay pot sun offering, with a kolam of white rice flour and flower garlands on the ground. A man in a maroon robe and gold-bead necklace, with a red turban and flower garland, stands at left with hands joined. A bare-chested sannyasi with rudraksha beads stands with palms together, while a woman kneels to arrange brass plates, bananas, sugarcane, and offerings on a striped cloth. Clay pots, a brass lamp stand, and a saffron banner with a bird emblem complete the scene. Visible people number about ten.2018-01-14A Pongal celebration outdoors under an open shelter with a red-brick wall. In the foreground, a seated man in orange cloth sits on a striped rug with his back to the camera, facing a white kolam rangoli design decorated with marigold garlands, bananas, and a small kalasha-like pot with coconut and leaves. Clay pots with garlands stand at left, and a large offering tray heaped with yellow flowers, rose petals and lit lamps sits at right. Sugarcane stalks lie at the lower right. Behind them, a standing man in a maroon robe and a large saffron-and-gold turban wears a long marigold garland and gold necklaces, hands folded in prayer. Around 20 people in orange and saffron robes and white dhotis stand behind in a semicircle, many with palms joined, including several children. A decorated ceremonial parasol with a crest appears at upper right.2018-01-14Pongal celebration outdoors under an open pavilion at a temple site. A man in a maroon-brown dhoti and a red-and-white turban stands with palms joined in namaskar, wearing a long white flower garland and heavy gold-toned necklaces. Behind him, a line of devotees in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand with hands folded, and a white-clad man and women in colourful saris also join. Two women in orange saris on the right hold offering plates. On the ground, a kolam of white rangoli patterns is outlined in yellow marigold garlands. Clay pots filled with flowers, a pineapple, bananas, a brass lamp, and trays of rose petals and fruit sit on striped mats. Three stacked clay-brick hearths with sugarcane and flower decoration form the Pongal cooking area. Drummers in orange stand behind, and a striped ceremonial umbrella stands at the top. Roughly 25 to 30 people are visible.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14Outdoor ritual scene at a temple-style setting with a red carpet and bare earth. Several saffron-robed sannyasis sit on striped mats, hands folded in anjali, with one shaved-headed figure in an orange cloth and rudraksha beads seen from behind. A large square arrangement of white flowers, yellow marigolds and red petals surrounds small brass and copper vessels, lamps and a plate of offerings. Bundles of sugarcane lie in the foreground. Brass lamp stands and a kalasha-style vessel stand at the right edge.2018-01-14January 14 20182018-01-14A Pongal celebration in an open-sided hall with a red-and-white painted pillar. A standing man on the left wears a tall red-and-multicoloured turban, a long garland of white flowers, a gold necklace and a maroon wrap; his hands are folded in front of him. Several men and women in saffron-orange robes kneel and work around a white kolam floor design bordered by yellow marigold garlands. Two men in orange cloth pour liquid from a vessel and tend a small pit, while a woman in orange bends over a platter of bananas, fruit and vermilion-red flowers. Clay pots draped with marigolds and a pineapple sit on the ground, and banana leaves hold savouries on the left. Behind them a crowd in orange and white stands watching, with drummers at the back.2018-01-14A photograph of an outdoor ritual space with a sandy floor and a white kolam design. A central figure in a rust-red dhoti with a maroon-and-gold turban, a gold necklace and a flower garland stands with palms pressed together in namaskar in front of a large flower-covered platform of yellow marigolds and white petals with red offerings. Around him, figures in orange-saffron robes hold trays of flowers and offerings, and a standing man in white dhoti with hands joined watches. Brass lamps, a kalasha pot, bananas, coconut-leaf decorations and a bundle of sugarcane lie on coloured striped cloths. An orange-and-yellow ceremonial banner stands at right. Several devotees in orange and white watch from the left. The setting suggests a puja at a Pongal-season gathering.2018-01-14