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Outdoor ritual scene on sandy ground beneath coconut palms. Several devotees sit in a long row on cushions or mats, each beside a circular pit of grey ash and smouldering embers, with thin smoke rising. The foreground woman wears a white sari with an orange shawl over her shoulders and wire-rimmed glasses, hands resting in her lap. Others nearby wear white clothes with orange or yellow shawls. Behind them stand white-painted shrines, a tall red-and-white ritual pole with yellow garland, a small deity murti and a thatched hut. A banner with green lettering stands at left. The scene suggests a pancha tapas fire-meditation practice.

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August 08 20102010-08-08August 08 20102010-08-08 +1 copiesOutdoor photo of a group of women seated in meditation on mats inside circular fire pits of ash and dark scorched earth on a dusty ground. Most wear white dhotis or sarees with yellow shawls, and several wear orange shawls. A thin smoke rises from the pits. Behind them stand a tall brick pillar, white stepped pedestals with a seated statue, a plaster structure, palm trees and a small signboard with a map. Calm morning light and an elder standing at the right edge.2010-08-10 +1 copiesAugust 08 20102010-08-08 +1 copiesA photograph of an outdoor Pancha Tapas ritual on a bare earth ground under palm trees. Many women sit cross-legged in rings of ash and burnt earth, with smoke rising around them. Foreground women wear white dhotis or sarees with orange shawls and hold their hands in meditative posture; others wear white with yellow shawls. Behind them are white stepped platforms, a tall wooden pole, and a signboard. A sannyasi-like figure in white stands at right. No candidate for a person is clearly visible, so no appearance-based identification is made.2010-08-10 +1 copiesOutdoor photo at sunrise of devotees seated on bare ground among tall coconut palms, with smoke rising from scattered fire pits. In the foreground a woman in an orange shawl over white clothing sits cross-legged with eyes closed, a red-and-white garland and bangles visible. Behind her, many other seated devotees wear white with yellow or orange shawls. A tall ornate column and a white shrine structure stand in the background, and a man in white walks among them. The scene suggests a fire ritual, though no specific deity or person can be confirmed.2010-08-10 +1 copiesAugust 08 20102010-08-08 +1 copiesAugust 08 20102010-08-08 +1 copiesAugust 08 20102010-08-08 +1 copiesOutdoor photo at dawn or dusk of a dirt courtyard set with many circular fire pits lined with dark ash and blue-grey ash rings, where devotees sit cross-legged in rows. Most sit in white clothes with orange or saffron shawls, and some wear yellow shawls. Smoke rises from a fire pit at right. Behind them stand a tall wooden pole wrapped in garlands, white stepped platforms, a dark stone deity murti or statue on a white base, and tall coconut palms against a pale sky. A green information board stands at left. The scene resembles a pancha tapas fire penance practice. No individual is clearly identifiable as a person.2010-08-10 +1 copiesA photograph of female devotees seated cross-legged in meditation on bare ground outdoors, among palm and plantain trees. Each sits within a dark ring of ash and charcoal, with small mounds of red earth nearby. The foreground woman wears a white sari with an orange-red shawl draped over her shoulder, a vermilion tilak on her forehead and gold bangles, eyes closed with hands resting in her lap. Behind her, women in white saris with yellow shawls sit in similar rings. A man in a white dhoti stands at the back, and a child walks near the wall. Smoke rises at left and a plastic water bottle sits at lower right.2010-08-10 +1 copiesOutdoor photo of a ritual fire-offering area in an open dirt courtyard beside a tall copper-coloured lamp pillar and a white stone platform with a large white statue of a seated deity. Several dozen participants sit cross-legged in a row inside circular ash-rimmed fire pits, with smoke rising. Most wear white clothes; a few wear yellow or saffron-orange shawls and orange sashes. Tall coconut palms and a low tiled building with a green roof form the background. Visible people are seated, in a homa-style ritual setting.2010-07-11