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A night-time ritual in a temple hall with terracotta-coloured walls and a dark board listing names beside a doorway. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, with bare chest, rudraksha mala and a white horizontal mark on his forehead, sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne-like chair, raising his hand to his brow. A second bare-chested devotee in white cloth lies prostrate on the floor in front of him, with a small brass vessel and a ceremonial oil lamp nearby. Another standing attendant in white dhoti and a garland stands at left beside a microphone stand. On the right, a larger gold throne with red cushions and garlands holds a framed portrait of a smiling figure in orange robes with a rudraksha mala, and a brass kalasha sits on a low gold stand. Smoke rises from the ritual area in the foreground.

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October 04 20102010-10-04A ritual scene inside an ashram hall with orange-painted walls and a framed name board on the wall. A bare-chested, shaven-headed man with a sandalwood forehead mark sits on an ornate gold throne with a gold chain around his neck, while a kneeling man in white dhoti with an orange-edged cloth pours or anoints liquid over his head. A standing priest in white on the left holds a microphone stand nearby. On the right, a red-cushioned gold throne is garlanded with yellow marigolds and maroon-white garlands, and holds a framed portrait of a long-haired woman in saffron robes wearing a rudraksha mala. A brass kalasha and bowls with flowers sit on the floor in front, with smoke rising from a small fire pit at the lower left. Several white-clad attendants stand in the background.2010-10-04 +1 copiesNight scene at an ashram hall with two ornate gold thrones with red cushions. On the right throne, a framed portrait labelled with a name in the image is garlanded with yellow flowers and red-and-white garlands; the portrait shows a figure in orange robes with a beaded necklace, depicted, not a physical person. A brass vase with flowers sits on a gold footstool. In the foreground, a bald figure in white clothing lies prostrate on the stone floor beside a red box and a brass vessel, with smoke drifting across the frame. A second robed attendant in yellow stands in a doorway at left. Hanging orange curtains and a brass lamp stand complete the setting.2010-10-04 +1 copiesNovember 03 20102010-11-03A photograph of an evening puja inside a temple hall with smoke in the air. A standing priest with a shaved head, white vibhuti on his forehead, a beaded necklace, and white dhoti with a red border holds his hands in anjali mudra. Beside him a seated assistant in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala sits on a mat before brass vessels and yellow flower strands. In front of them a red box with white markings holds a lit oil lamp and offerings. On the right stands an ornate gold throne with red cushions, garlanded with yellow and red flower strands, and a framed photograph of a saffron-robed figure with a beaded necklace placed on it. A smaller gold stool sits nearby, and a brass lamp stand is visible.2010-10-04 +1 copiesPhotograph of a nighttime ritual at an ashram courtyard with a pillared stone structure. A seated person in a red sleeveless top and orange cloth, wearing a green leaf garland and white forehead markings, is on an ornate gold throne with red cushions, leaning forward. A man in a white dhoti and shirt kneels on a gold footstool with a red cushion and yellow cloth, bowing his head toward the seated figure's feet. Behind them, several men in white dhotis and yellow or orange shawls stand. A dark wooden board labelled Dhyanapeetam with a list of donors hangs on the wall, and a red curtain hangs nearby. Five or more people are visible, and the seated figure's appearance does not clearly establish an identity.2009-02-23Evening arati-style worship in a temple hall at night. Two priests in white dhotis sit on a mat at left; the one nearer the centre, shaven-headed with a white forehead mark, holds a silver plate with grains, and the other sits with palms joined in namaskar. Beside them sit a red box, brass vessels, a silver lamp, a yellow cloth and flower offerings. At right, an ornate gold-and-red throne is garlanded with yellow and red-white flower garlands and holds a framed photograph of a saffron-clad figure with a rudraksha mala. A small gold table with flowers stands in front, and a second empty gold throne sits to the left beside a hanging orange curtain. A few people in the background wear white and yellow.2010-10-04 +1 copiesEvening ritual in a covered temple-style hall. Two priests in white dhotis sit on the floor at left, one bare-chested with a sacred thread, the other in white with a microphone, with brass puja vessels, a red box and yellow ceremonial items before them. At right, empty ornate gold thrones stand in front of a shrine with a deity murti dressed in red, adorned with garlands. A small framed photograph of a saffron-robed figure is displayed on the central throne, garlanded with marigolds. Brass lamps flank the thrones and an orange cloth hangs between pillars.2010-10-04 +1 copiesA photograph taken on a dim stage with red-brown steps and a red backdrop. A figure seated on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion raises one hand in blessing. He wears a white dhoti with an orange-red shawl, a white turban with red trim, and a long necklace of white beads and gold. Beside the throne, a red-and-white draped table holds brass lamps and a kalasha-like pot. Two people in white with orange shawls kneel in front of the stage at the lower left, one bowing low to the steps. A third person in white lies prostrate in the lower right, face down on the stage floor. A tall red-and-orange banner hangs behind the throne, and small green and pink tinsel decorations stand at the sides.2007-05-04A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border sits cross-legged before a red brick fire pit holding small wood sticks and a flame, performing a homa. He holds a brass ladle and pours from a brass vessel, with a microphone stand at his side and a gold necklace and white forehead marks visible. Behind him stands an ornate gold throne with red cushions, and to the right a gold seat with red cushions and flower garlands holds a framed portrait labelled with a name, showing a man in orange robes with a mala raising a hand in blessing. Brass plates of offerings and flower petals sit near the fire pit, and a red curtain and dark wall with a notice board frame the scene.2010-10-04 +1 copiesA shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border sits cross-legged on a mat, pouring water from a copper kalasha held in his right hand while speaking into a handheld microphone. He wears a gold chain and a white tripundra mark on his forehead. Before him is a red-cloth-covered square box with a bowl, brass plates of flowers and offerings, and a yellow cloth. Behind him stand an ornate gold throne with red cushions, a small gold vase of flowers, and a framed portrait of a smiling woman in orange with a mala, surrounded by a garland. Orange drapes hang behind a stone pillar, and musicians in white sit in the background.2010-10-04 +1 copiesA photograph of an evening arati at a temple shrine at night. A bald priest in white dhoti and a white upper cloth, with vertical white and red tilak on his forehead and a beaded necklace, sits cross-legged on a mat and reaches toward a red-covered box holding brass vessels and a lamp. He speaks into a handheld microphone. Behind him, an ornate gold throne is draped with red cushions, marigold garlands and a brass kalasha with yellow flowers in front of it. Beside it, a framed portrait labelled on the wall sign is set on a second gold throne and shows a seated saffron-robed figure with a rudraksha mala, wearing garlands and marigolds. Smoke rises in the foreground, and a plate of offerings sits at the lower left.2010-10-04 +1 copies