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Evening abhishekam at a temple shrine under a open-sided canopy. A large golden-bodied deity murti stands at the centre of an ornate shrine decorated with yellow-orange marigold garlands, banana stalks and orange drapes. In front, a framed portrait labelled Nithyananda Paramashivam stands on a platform. Dozens of brass and steel vessels, many containing milk, are arranged in tiered pyramids and rows on the floor. Several men in orange and white dhotis attend the deity, while women in white and cream saris sit in rows on the floor around the offerings, some holding bowls and ritual items, with a small pile of fruit visible at left.

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A photograph of an outdoor temple abhishekam at dusk. A figure in saffron/orange robes stands before a golden deity murti on an altar decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands, green banana-leaf and orange drapes. Behind the altar stand two white-clad attendants, and a framed portrait is set on the altar base. Before the altar a tiered stack of metal bowls and pots rises beside rows of brass vessels and fruit. Rows of women and girls in white saris and white dhotis, some with long braids, sit on mats and prayer rugs, one woman in white standing at the right holding offerings. A banner with red and white stripes frames the shrine.2010-01-01Night-time photo of a temple shrine decorated with banana stalks, marigold garlands and orange-red cloth draping. Inside the shrine, a golden deity murti is being bathed by a figure in an orange robe, with another attendant in white nearby. In front of the shrine, a large tiered arrangement of many small brass and steel vessels is set out on a white base, surrounded by women seated on mats in white and cream saris with braided hair, pouring or tending the vessels as an abhishekam. A framed portrait garlanded with flowers sits to the side of the shrine. A lit oil lamp stands at the right edge. Several women in the foreground watch in silence.2010-01-01A photograph inside a temple shrine at night, showing a large crowd of women seated on mats facing a golden-arched deity murti decorated with garlands. A standing figure in orange robes stands beside the shrine, and another person in white dhoti stands at left. Many rows of brass vessels and oil lamps are arranged on the floor in front of the shrine, and green banana-leaf and flower garlands frame the entrance. Seated women wear white and cream saris, one wears purple, and others wear blue, with long braided hair. A portrait photo of a woman is placed on a stand near the shrine. The cut-off figure at lower left and the people seated throughout the foreground indicate a dense audience at an abhishekam-style ritual.2010-01-01A temple abhishekam scene before a gilded deity murti of Shiva seated with his consort, under a golden arch framed by banana plants, red curtains and garlands of orange and yellow flowers. A man in a saffron robe stands at the centre, pouring from a vessel toward the deity, while a priest in white with a yellow shawl stands to the left. Another white-clad priest stands near the right of the arch. In the foreground a tiered arrangement of brass vessels and steel bowls rests on a white-draped stand, with fruit and more vessels spread on the floor. Women in white sari and devotees sit in rows along the bottom edge, and a framed portrait with a flower garland sits before the deity platform.2010-01-01A night-time abhishekam at a temple shrine, with a golden deity murti seated under a golden arch framed by yellow-and-orange marigold garlands and green banana-leaf and palm decorations. A priest in orange robes stands at the murti and pours or tends the ritual. Rows of women in white and cream saris sit on the floor in front of a large tiered stack of silver-coloured metal vessels filled for the milk abhishekam, with brass lamps and a framed portrait garlanded in yellow flowers set on the altar. Many seated women have long braids, and an elderly woman in an orange wrap sits at the lower left. Striped red-and-white walls surround the courtyard, and an oil lamp burns at the right edge.2010-01-01A temple shrine at night decorated with banana plant pillars, yellow and orange marigold garlands, and red cloth draped on either side. At the centre a golden deity murti stands under a gold arch. Priests in orange and white robes perform the ritual, with one in orange tending the murti and another in white at its right side. Below, rows of brass bowls with offerings are stacked in tiers on a white-covered platform before a framed portrait garlanded with flowers, and a woman in white sits on the right edge. A portrait labelled "Paramahamsa Nithyananda" appears in the scene. The event looks like an abhishekam milk ritual.2010-01-01A night photograph of a temple shrine decorated with banana stalks, yellow and orange marigold garlands and red curtains. Golden deity murti are being bathed at the centre of an ornate golden arch. A man in an orange robe stands at the centre-left pouring from a vessel while several men in white dhotis and white shirts with yellow sashes assist at the sides. In the foreground, a tiered tray of many brass bowls holds offerings and oil lamps, surrounded by rows of similar bowls on the floor. A framed portrait stands at the base of the shrine among flower garlands. The scene shows an abhishekam ritual.2010-01-01A temple shrine decorated for abhishekam, with a golden deity murti framed by an arch of green banana stalks and hanging palm fronds. Yellow and orange marigold garlands drape the shrine and a tiered stand holding many small brass bowls of offerings fills the foreground. A framed portrait of a long-haired figure in ornate dress sits on the shrine platform beneath the garlands. Three men in white dhotis and shirts stand at the shrine, one in an orange robe pouring from a vessel near the deity. A woman in a white sari sits at the lower right beside the offering bowls. Red and orange cloth panels hang on either side of the shrine.2010-01-01Evening Vilakku Pooja in an open-sided pavilion with a striped tent roof and a row of orange pennants. At the centre, a garlanded deity murti with a decorated arch sits on a stone platform. Rows of women in white saris with orange borders sit on the floor with palms pressed together, with brass oil lamps and lit wicks placed before them. A priest in white stands at the shrine beside a lit lamp, with more white-clad assistants standing along the sides. Rows of small metal pots with flower decorations line the floor in front of the shrine. The room is dim and smoky.2006-12-31A temple shrine decorated with banana stalks, orange cloth drapes and yellow-white marigold garlands frames a golden deity murti of Shiva and Parvati seated together. In front, a saffron-robed figure with a shaved head stands at the step, reaching toward the murti with an extended hand, while a white-clad attendant with a yellow sash stands nearby. A framed portrait with a garland hangs at the base of the shrine, and rows of silver bowls are arranged on tiered platforms. Seated devotees in white and colourful saris, some with hair in braids, watch from the floor in the foreground, and a lamp burns at the right edge. This appears to be an abhishekam ritual being performed at the shrine.2010-01-01December 31 20062006-12-31January 01 20082008-01-01