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A photograph inside a pandal during a fire ritual. Several shaved-headed men in white dhotis and saffron-orange shawls stand in a row, holding oil lamps and ritual implements toward a decorated altar. Behind them, a deity murti is adorned with thick garlands of yellow and orange marigolds, and banana plants, sugarcane stalks and coconuts decorate the platform. Hanging strings of leaves and a banner with printed text overhead. Seated devotees in white clothes watch at the right, and small lamps flicker on the floor in the foreground.

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July 17 20062006-07-17A photograph of a large open-sided pandal during a fire ritual. Several shaven-headed men in white dhotis and saffron-orange shawls stand in a row raising lit oil lamps toward a decorated stage. On the stage, golden deity figures with garlands of yellow and orange marigolds sit beneath red and white draped canopies, and a golden throne-like seat stands at left. Banana plants and tall bamboo-like poles frame the scene, with palm-leaf decorations hanging from the roof. Seated devotees in white fill the foreground and background, some holding brass vessels, while a row of brass pots and offerings sits at right. Lights hang from the ceiling and a banner is strung across the top.2006-07-17A photograph of a ceremonial aarti at an outdoor pavilion with a bamboo and palm-thatched roof hung with paper stars and a banner. Several men in white dhotis with saffron-orange shawls stand in a row holding lit oil lamps raised toward a decorated stage. On the stage, garlanded deity murtis sit beneath a white and red canopy, with flower garlands in red, yellow and white draped over them. Brass kalasha pots and offerings are arranged at the right, and smoke or haze hangs in the air. Seated devotees in the foreground watch the ritual.2006-07-17A photograph of a fire ritual inside a decorated pandal with bamboo framing, hanging palm fronds and leaf festoons. Several men in white dhotis and orange shawls stand in a row, several raising flaming lamps or torches toward a shrine. On the left, a golden deity murti is adorned with garlands of yellow and red flowers, and a gold throne sits beside it. Behind the row, a banner with printed Tamil script hangs across the top. Seated devotees in white line the foreground, and kalasha pots with offerings fill the right side. The scene suggests a homa or fire offering.2006-07-17July 17 20062006-07-17A photograph of a covered outdoor ritual hall during a puja. Five men stand at the back holding lit torches or oil-lamp flames: four wear saffron/orange dhotis and shawls with ornate beaded necklaces, and one wears white with an orange shawl. Several women in white saris and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged on mats in front of a long table lined with brass lamps and bells, with plates of flowers, fruit and offerings. Green leaf garlands hang from the roof beams and paper lanterns in yellow, blue and green decorate the ceiling. Devotees sit on the floor behind them, and a saffron cloth lies over an object on the left.2008-12-26July 17 20062006-07-17A photograph of an indoor temple-style hall under a corrugated roof decorated with leafy garlands and hanging paper lanterns in yellow, blue and orange. Several men in orange robes with gold necklaces hold lit lamps and ritual implements at a raised counter. Women in white saris and white clothing sit on the floor in front of rows of brass oil lamps, bells and metal plates with offerings, including a banana-like fruit and flower petals. Devotees in white and orange sit along the sides of the hall. The scene appears to be a puja or aarti ceremony.2008-12-26 +1 copiesDecember 12 20162016-12-12July 11 20062006-07-11December 06 20162016-12-06 +1 copiesA photograph of an outdoor fire ritual under a corrugated metal roof and a tent canopy. A large flame burns in a square pit lined with stone blocks and garlanded with marigold and white flower strings, with a brass pot and a metal vessel nearby. Behind it stands a decorated shrine draped with orange and white marigold garlands, holding a deity murti and a yellow-and-orange banner. Several priests stand close to the fire: one bare-chested man in white dhoti holds a tray, another in orange dhoti pours or holds a vessel, and a man in yellow dhoti and bare chest holds a yellow flower garland. Older men in white and cream shawls and saffron-orange cloth sit and stand along the right side, watching the ritual. A green-and-white festoon hangs across the back of the tent.2007-02-02