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A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold-edged border performs a puja, holding a brass lamp with a flame over a plate of red flowers toward a white marble statue. The statue is seated in a lavender-purple cloth with a matching turban, wearing beaded necklaces and garlands, its hands raised in blessing. Behind it stand a garland of yellow marigolds and red roses, rudraksha malas, an ornate golden deity-shrine setting, and a brass kalasha vessel on the foreground table with flower offerings. A small purple-clad figure appears in the background.

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A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold border, shaved head and white forehead markings, pours water from a brass vessel over a white statue wearing a lavender-blue turban, shawl and rudraksha and bead necklaces. The statue is adorned with a yellow and red rose garland, and brass lamps and a pot sit in front. Behind are gold-patterned metal panels, a red and orange cloth backdrop, and a jeweled ornament. The scene is an abhishekam ritual.2011-07-26A seated priest in white ritual dhoti and shawl with gold-toned trim and a gold chain performs a puja beside a white statue of a seated figure dressed in lavender cloth, with gold necklace and red flower garlands. The priest, bare-headed with a shaved scalp and sacred ash marks on his forehead, holds a small ritual vessel and lamp near a brass lamp stand, brass pots, a bronze shrine-like arch, and a yellow and red flower garland hangs at the right. Another draped figure in blue and orange cloth with rudraksha beads sits at the edge of the frame, and a purple-and-red deity or devotional figure appears behind the offerings. Scattered red flowers and brass vessels fill the foreground of this temple ritual setting.2011-07-26A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold border, bare-armed and wearing gold bangles and a gold chain, holds a brass plate with a lamp toward a white figure. The figure sits in purple cloth with a purple turban, gold necklaces and rudraksha beads, garlanded with yellow and red flowers. Brass vessels, a tall brass lamp stand and a kalasha-like pot sit in front; flower petals lie on the floor. A carved stone wall and red curtains frame the setting, indicating a padapuja-style offering at a shrine. Partially visible figures appear behind.2011-07-26A photograph of a pada puja in a temple setting. A young priest with a shaved head, white dhoti and shawl edged in gold, and a white forehead mark sits cross-legged on the left and pours water from a brass pot over the feet of a white statue. The statue wears a purple turban, purple shawl, gold necklaces and a red bindi, and is garlanded with yellow and red flowers and rudraksha malas. Brass oil lamps, pink and red flower offerings, a brass plate and a brass kalasha sit in front. Golden carved temple pillars, red drapes and a blue cloth frame the scene. The statue is a depiction, not a living person, and no one present matches a clear a person appearance.2011-07-26A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth sits on a raised cushioned seat, holding a small oil lamp aloft in his right hand while a ritual vessel rests before him. Around him are brass and silver puja implements: a silver pitcher, bowls, a conch shell, a covered plate and small cups. Beside him, a seated murti in saffron robes with an orange turban, rudraksha mala and a silver necklace is adorned with a garland of yellow and purple flowers. A folded red and gold cloth lies in the foreground. The setting is an open-sided shrine with orange and red walls and a silver lamp stand. The priest's attire and the seated figure are part of a ritual scene; the priest appears to perform an aarti or puja.2010-12-16A photograph inside a temple shrine where a seated priest in white dhoti and a yellow shawl performs an arati, holding a lit oil lamp toward a white statue. The statue wears an orange robe, an orange head wrap, a garland of white flowers, and a rudraksha-style necklace, and its hands are raised in a blessing gesture. Behind it stands a golden deity murti or altar decorated with yellow and red flower garlands and draped in orange silk. Brass pots, bowls, a small brass lamp and a plate of flowers sit on the stone platform in front. Only the priest is a physical person in the scene.2010-07-13A priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold border sits at lower left performing a puja, holding a lamp with a flame toward a large deity murti behind. The deity is adorned with yellow and red flower garlands, rudraksha beads and a crown-like headdress. In front sits a small white figure in lavender robes and a purple turban, with a yellow mala, seated on a platform. Brass vessels, a kalasha, lamps, flower offerings and pink petals fill the foreground, with a tall brass lamp stand at right.2011-07-26June 30 20102010-06-30September 13 20112011-09-13June 12 20102010-06-12A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl with gold border sits at a shrine, performing a lamp ritual. He holds a flame over a brass lamp stand with his right hand while his left hand rests near brass vessels, a kalasha pot and a bowl. Behind him a white statue wearing a red cloth, a red turban-style head covering, a gold necklace and a green garland is blessed with a raised hand. Red roses, a dark rudraksha-style mala and gold ornaments decorate the shrine, and a yellow cloth backdrop surrounds it. Visible white markings appear on the priest's arm and forehead.2011-08-08Photograph of a temple ritual at a shrine. A man in saffron/orange robes with a white sacred mark on his shoulder and a gold-bead garland holds a tall brass oil lamp aarti with a tray of lit flames, facing a deity murti draped in a maroon and gold silk cloth with silver and jewelled necklaces, decorated with red rose and yellow marigold garlands and a gold crown. A white marble seated figure in saffron robes and a pearl mala sits beside the murti with raised hand, and small brass lamps stand nearby. The man's face is turned down; he is not clearly distinguishable as a specific person, so no identity is asserted. One physical person visible.2010-07-21