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A night-time fire-walking ritual in an outdoor ground. A girl in a pink skirt and yellow blouse with a beaded necklace walks barefoot across a long pit of glowing grey embers bordered by earth and straw, holding the hand of a man in white. Around the pit, a crowd of devotees in white dhotis and kurtas stands behind bamboo railings, and a woman in an orange top watches from the left. A bald man in white shirt and dhoti stands at the right edge, looking down at the pit. Several people reach toward the walker. Activities are a firewalk and devotees gathered to witness it.

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A night-time photograph of a fire-walking ritual on a dirt path. A young girl in a magenta top and cream dhoti-style skirt walks barefoot along a shallow pit of glowing embers and ash, arms outstretched for balance, with a rudraksha-style bead necklace. On both sides, devotees in white dhotis and white shirts or saris stand behind bamboo poles that line the pit, several reaching out to steady her. A man in white with a grey beard stands in the lower right foreground. The crowd behind includes people in white, a woman in an orange sari, and a few in saffron or coloured cloth.2006-12-30Night photograph of a fire-walking ritual in a dirt pit lined with glowing embers and ash. A woman in a magenta blouse and orange skirt with an orange shawl and a beaded necklace walks barefoot across the coals. Beside the pit, a man in white dhoti and shirt walks along the edge, and another man in white stands at the front right, watching. Rows of onlookers in white and colourful saris and dhotis line both sides, held back by bamboo poles, and drummers play at the right. A photographer with a camera stands at the left edge. Lit by electric lights against the dark sky.2006-12-30A photograph of a fire-walking ritual on a dirt ground at night. A young boy in a white shirt and shorts walks barefoot across a long pit of glowing grey embers, hands pressed together in prayer. Devotees in white dhotis and shirts line both sides of the pit behind bamboo railings, watching. On the right foreground, an older bald man with a grey beard in a white shirt, white dhoti and a gold wristwatch stands at the pit's edge with his hands folded, observing. Several spectators in the background wear white and one woman wears a red sari.2006-12-30Night photo of a fire-walking ritual at a temple. A long pit of glowing embers runs down the centre, and a person in white dhoti and shawl walks across it with hands pressed together in prayer. Men and women in white ritual clothes line both sides of the path, with bamboo poles marking the lane. A lit ornate chariot or palanquin with lamps stands at the far end, and a bald man in white stands at right near the pit. A large crowd of devotees watches from behind the poles.2006-12-30Night-time photograph of a fire-walking ritual in a dirt pit lined with glowing embers and grey ash. A child in a red sweater and dark trousers, with a dark cap, walks barefoot along the pit while a man in white dhoti and shirt holds the child's outstretched hand. Crowds of devotees in white dhotis and saris stand behind wooden railings on both sides. In the foreground at right, an older man with grey hair and a grey beard, in a white shirt and white dhoti with a gold wristwatch, stands watching quietly. The ground is reddish earth and the scene is lit by warm artificial light.2006-12-30December 30 20062006-12-30December 30 20062006-12-30Night-time fire-walking ritual in an open outdoor ground. A woman in a pale pink sari walks barefoot across a long trench of glowing grey-white embers, lined with dark earth. Around the pit, a dense crowd of men and women in white dhotis and white kurtas stands behind wooden poles and ropes that hold the crowd back. A man in white with an orange shawl stands at the right edge, and a few onlookers wear colourful saris and salwar. A blue bucket of water sits at the lower left corner of the pit.2006-12-30Night photograph of a fire-walking ritual on a dirt path lined with bamboo poles. A woman in a peach-pink sari walks across a long pit of glowing embers while devotees in white dhotis and shirts stand along both sides. A bald older man in white faces the pit from the foreground. Spectators, many in colourful saris, press behind the bamboo barriers, and a blue bucket sits at the left edge. The white-clad figures in the background are devotees and organisers, not identifiable as a specific individual.2006-12-30December 30 20062006-12-30Night photo of a fire-walking ritual. A man in white dhoti and white shirt, hands pressed together in namaskar, walks barefoot along a trench of glowing grey embers. Other people in white clothing stand along the sides and in the background, and spectators crowd behind a bamboo barrier on the right, some holding offerings. The ground is bare earth and a tall structure is faintly visible in the dark behind the crowd.2006-12-30December 30 20062006-12-30