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Ladies are performing Lakshmi pooja (Prayer to the Godess of Wealth). |
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Community members performing Lakshmi pooja |
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Ladies are performing Lakshmi aarti (Prayer to the Godess of Wealth). |
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Intergenerational participation during the ceremonies. |
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Intergenerational participation during the ceremonies. |
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Ladies are tying Raksha Bandhan thread (a symbolic affirmation and establishment of family and social relationship) around their wrists. |
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Items used for offerings in the Lakshmi pooja include flowers, fruits, water, lamp, kum-kum (red powder) and turmeric (yellow powder). |
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Priests conducting Lakshmi pooja. |
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Curtain covering the deity before the "eye-opening" ceremony. |
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Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing. |
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Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing. |
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Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing. |
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Priests pouring ghee (clarified butter) in the sacred fire. |
