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A 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.

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A 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 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.2011-07-26A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with gold border and gold-and-bead necklaces performs aarti, holding a silver lamp with a flame in his right hand and a brass bell in his left, seated before a white marble murti of a seated figure draped in orange cloth with a garland. Brass pots, a brass bowl and a green cloth sit on the floor, with incense smoke rising in a dim outdoor shrine behind an ornate metal grille. The priest's face and identity are not attributed; the seated figure is a statue, not a person.2011-09-28A photograph of an outdoor puja at a temple shrine. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold pendant and beaded necklace sits cross-legged on a raised stone platform, holding a lit oil lamp aloft toward a statue. Beside him are brass vessels, a bell-shaped kalasha, a brass lamp stand, a silver bowl of food and small oil lamps. To the right stands a blue-clad sculpted figure with a blue turban, raised hand and heavy gold necklace, draped in marigold and dark red flower garlands. Behind are a saffron cloth, carved stone pillars and a green garden. Smoke rises in the air. No other physical people are visible.2010-12-26September 28 20112011-09-28A photograph of a temple puja setting. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a gold-beaded necklace sits cross-legged on a dark platform, eyes closed, chanting, while his hands rest over brass and steel vessels, a silver bowl, a small glass and an oil lamp. Beside him stands a white statue of a sage with a saffron-orange robe, a saffron turban, a rudraksha mala and a raised palm. Behind them hang a garland of yellow and orange marigolds, an embroidered silver-and-black ornamental backdrop and a saffron cloth. The scene suggests a padapuja offering ritual.2011-01-17A 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.2011-07-26A 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 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.2011-08-08August 08 20112011-08-08A photograph of a temple shrine during a puja. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border and a gold-beaded mala sits on a raised stone platform, holding a lit oil lamp in his right hand over brass pots, bowls and a kalasha. Behind him stands a deity murti dressed in turquoise-blue cloth with a large marigold garland in orange, yellow and red, and a second blue-clad figure to the right beneath a garland. A red curtain hangs at left and a stone pillar frames the scene. Dried flower petals and small offerings lie on the platform. No clearly identifiable a person figure is visible, only the priest performing the ritual.2010-12-26A photograph of a temple puja at dusk. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl with red border, wearing a gold pendant and beaded mala, holds a lit camphor aarti lamp aloft with one hand while ringing a small bell with the other. Smoke rises at left beside a tall brass lamp stand. Beside him, a white marble-like seated figure in a blue turban and blue robe with a raised hand is garlanded with yellow and purple flower garlands and gold jewellery, and a larger deity murti behind is adorned with a silver necklace and yellow marigold garlands. Brass pots, plates, a kalasha-like vessel, a small oil lamp and offerings of fruit and flowers sit on the stone platform. Orange cloth hangs in the background.2010-12-26