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Indoor puja scene in a plain room with pale tiled walls and a dark purple curtain behind an altar. A man in a loose orange-saffron dhoti-style wrap and long curly hair stands at right holding a brass bell in one hand and a lit lamp with flame over a tray of offerings, while incense smoke drifts through the air. Several seated devotees in orange robes sit cross-legged on a raised platform, some with shaved heads, and a woman in orange sits near the front. On the altar are small gold-coloured deity murtis, a golden lion figure, a standing statue in orange cloth, and vases of yellow flowers and fruit. A small ceiling fan and hanging gold-tasselled lanterns are visible. Overall a homa-style or puja ritual with orange-clad participants.

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Indoor ritual in a temple-like hall with purple drapery and a golden throne-style seat with red cushions. Several people in saffron-orange robes sit on the floor facing the altar, many with shaved heads or long hair, some wearing rudraksha malas. A standing man on the right, with curly shoulder-length hair and saffron cloth, holds a brass bell and a lit oil lamp over a tray near brass pots of flowers and mango leaves. Golden deity statues, including a dancing figure with a flute and a standing figure, decorate the altar, and incense smoke rises. A visible kalasha-style and padapuja-style offering arrangement with yellow flowers and petals sits on the floor. The lamp and bell suggest an aarti or puja.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22Indoor ritual session in a temple-like hall with purple drapes and a red-cushioned golden throne backed by a gilded frame. Around the altar are gilded deity murtis, including a dancing figure and a seated deity with a trident-like emblem. A standing man with long dark hair and bare chest, wearing an orange cloth, holds a small ritual object at the altar, while a younger man in orange robes with a red-beaded garland stands beside him holding a tray of red flowers. Several shaved-headed monks and young disciples in orange robes sit cross-legged on the floor facing the altar. Brass vessels with yellow flowers, a gilded kalasha-style pot and a small golden shrine stand before them. Colourful banners hang from the ceiling. The standing man has distinctive long hair and bare-chested adornments, so he may be a person leading the ritual, but this is uncertain.2006-08-22A photograph of a Kailasa monastic initiation ceremony in an indoor hall. Several women in saffron-orange robes sit cross-legged on a raised platform with scattered petals, eyes closed in meditation. A standing figure in a saffron robe, with long reddish-gold hair and wrapped in cloth, is seen from behind raising an arm to scatter red and white petals. Behind them stands a tall golden-orange statue holding a staff, flanked by two golden deity murti, one holding a stick and one with a veena. A white brick wall, a maroon curtain and hanging saffron cloths frame the scene, with a standing fan at the right. Another saffron-clad attendant holds a tray at the right edge.2006-08-22A photograph inside a temple-style hall during a ritual. In the foreground a young man with long, swept-back dark hair wears a saffron-orange draped cloth over his shoulders and holds his hands out over a brass offering; a second young man in orange stands behind him holding a small tray. Several shaven-headed monks in orange robes sit on a raised platform with their backs to the camera, facing an ornate golden altar with a red velvet niche, lion figures, a gilded deity murti and a standing statue in orange robes. Brass pots holding yellow flowers and green leaves sit on the platform in front, and purple curtains hang in the background.2006-08-22A photograph of a hall set up for a monastic initiation session, with orange-robed attendees seated in rows on the left, many shaved-headed and some with rudraksha malas, and several women in orange saris and robes among them. On the right, a standing figure with long, swept-back hair in an orange cloth wraps holds a ceremonial vessel aloft, with a flower-decorated brass offering tray in the foreground. Behind, a violinist plays near a red-draped golden throne with lion figures and a standing statue. Hanging cloth banners in purple, orange and blue decorate the ceiling, and gold ritual objects and petals lie on the low table.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22A ceremonial initiation scene in a temple-like hall with purple drapes and gold-framed deity figures. A standing man on the right, with long swept-back hair and orange-saffron robes, raises one arm toward a seated group. Rows of seated monastics in orange robes face a red-cushioned throne with a golden umbrella and a central ornate arch. Several seated women in orange saffron clothing sit at right, and a fire-like spray of sparks or flower petals rises in the upper centre. Ceremonial items, including a brass lamp and small silver dishes, sit on a low altar in front. Colourful hanging cloth banners hang from the ceiling at upper right.2006-08-22A photograph inside a temple-style hall during a monastic initiation or training session. Seated devotees in saffron-orange robes, with shaved heads and some with rudraksha malas, face a raised shrine. Behind them stands a red-cushioned throne backed by a golden arch and a small golden parasol, flanked by golden deity murti statues and draped purple curtains. Gold and red colours dominate. A standing figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe, with long curly dark hair, gestures toward the seated group at the right edge, and a few women in saffron robes sit in the background. Rose petals and offerings lie on the platform, with a silver kalasha-like vessel at centre. Decorative yellow and blue striped panels hang on the pillars.2006-08-22Evening ritual in a hall with a large fire lit in a metal fire pit or lamp stand. A standing man with long, swept-back hair wears an orange-saffron dhoti-style wrap and holds a small metal vessel in one hand while raising the other arm toward the flame. Beside him, a younger man in orange cloth with a dark cord looks toward the fire, and a seated man in orange sits at left. Several seated people in white and orange clothing are visible in the background near a person playing a stringed instrument. A woven orange banner hangs on the left and right walls and a large circular decorative piece is on the wall behind. Visible people: about five.2006-08-22Indoor temple-style ritual photograph. Several people in orange-saffron robes sit cross-legged on a raised stone platform before a golden deity murti and a second figure with a lute-like instrument, with a purple curtain behind. A standing figure in saffron cloth with a rudraksha-style necklace holds a tray of red flowers and petals, and a man in orange at right holds a tray of offerings. Scattered petals and flower pieces lie on the platform, and a small yellow fruit sits near the front. A devotee in saffron at centre sits with eyes closed. The scene resembles a puja or initiation ritual.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22