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A ceremonial stage set for a ritual. A woman sits on an ornate throne decorated with a rainbow-coloured floral cushion, wearing a white-and-pink garland, a gold necklace, and an orange-red sari with a red bindi. Two shaved-headed men in orange-saffron cloth sit before her at a gold-bordered platform: the front one has white tilak lines on his forehead and arms and wears a rudraksha mala, and the one beside him, also wearing a rudraksha mala, sits with hands folded. Before them are stacked yellow blocks, a silver tray of white and yellow offerings, and silver vessels. Behind is a gold arched frame with green drapery, a deity murti garlanded with white flowers, and floral decorations on the right. Maroon curtains and an air conditioner sit on the back wall. The woman and the front man may be a host and priest, but no a person candidate is clearly identifiable from appearance.

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April 23 20132013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copiesA photograph of a ceremonial puja or satsang setting. Seated at left, a woman in an orange sari wears a long pink-and-white flower garland and gold jewellery, in front of a large throne-like seat decorated with multicoloured flower arrangements and a golden lion figure. At centre, a young shaved-headed man in saffron-orange robes with white vertical tilaka marks and a rudraksha-style gold necklace sits with palms together. Beside him, a younger shaved-headed boy in orange robes wears a dark bead mala. Behind them, a deity murti draped in green cloth and white flower garlands stands in a gold-framed arch. In the foreground are silver bowls, a tray of bananas and other offerings, and yellow stone blocks.2012-04-23 +2 copiesCeremonial scene in an indoor hall during a pattabhishekam-style ritual. A man seated on an ornate gold throne with a tiger-skin cushion wears an orange-brown robe, an orange turban with a jewelled ornament, a long red-and-white flower garland, a rudraksha mala and gold necklaces; his hands rest together on his lap. Behind him is a large throne canopy decorated with multicoloured flowers. To the left, an elderly bearded man with a white forehead mark and orange robe, garlanded in white and orange flowers, sits on a gold chair. In the foreground a priest in an orange-brown robe with a rudraksha mala performs a ritual near a silver tray of bananas, a small silver bowl and a kalasha-style vessel with flowers. A young attendant with a white-marked forehead stands between them. A silver staff or ceremonial rod rises beside the throne, and an air conditioner sits on the wall.2015-04-28A seated figure on a gold-framed throne with a colourful floral backrest is receiving ritual honour inside a hall with red drapes and an air conditioner. The seated figure wears an orange-saffron robe, a rudraksha mala and a multi-strand flower garland, and is smiling. A kneeling man in an orange robe with a bald head bends forward to touch the seated figure's hands. A man in white dhoti and shirt with a flower garland kneels on the right holding a silver tray with offerings, and another orange-robed person sits at the far right edge. Gold-framed decorative elements and a green curtain appear behind. Four people are visible. The seated figure is presented as a person candidate by appearance cues of saffron clothing, rudraksha mala and ceremonial garlands; the identification is uncertain.2013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copiesA photograph of a ritual ceremony indoors before a golden throne. A seated figure on the right wears a crown-like turban in deep red, a rudraksha-bead mala, a heavy gold necklace and bangles over a rust-orange garment, and sits on an ornate gold throne draped with a tiger-striped cloth. Behind him, the throne is decorated with flower garlands. On the left, an older man with a white beard and forehead tilak wears orange robes and a white flower garland, seated on a gold chair. In the centre, a bare-chested priest in orange-brown cloth and a bead mala sits with folded hands before a low platform holding bananas, brass plates, a kalasha and flowers. A young boy in orange stands beside the priest. A gold staff stands upright beside the throne. An air conditioner is visible on the wall. Four people are visible.2015-04-28April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copiesA ritual gathering in an indoor hall with a golden throne draped in red and multicoloured flower garlands. A man seated on the throne wears a saffron cloth, rudraksha mala and a flower garland, and holds a ritual staff. A bald priest in orange dhoti and saffron shawl with a rudraksha mala and a long beaded cord stands pouring liquid from a silver vessel. Another shaved-headed attendant in orange cloth with a white forehead mark sits cross-legged at a low table with ritual items. Seated devotees in the foreground, including women with their hair tied back, face the scene. A wall fan and air cooler are visible.2013-05-17A photograph of a padapuja-style ritual in a temple hall. A man with long dark hair, wearing a marigold and yellow flower garland and a saffron-orange dhoti, sits on an ornate golden throne with a tiger-skin cushion and extends his hand toward a tray of flowers and offerings draped in a green silk cloth. Opposite him, a shaved-headed priest in saffron-orange robes with a white tilak and rudraksha malas bends forward over the offerings. A third man in white ritual clothes with a shaved head, white forehead marks and a mala stands at the right. Behind them are a brass oil lamp, a gold-framed backdrop and pink and green pillars. Figures seated on the throne are recognized only by role; no identity is asserted from appearance.2013-05-29A ceremonial stage scene in a hall with dark red velvet drapes. A priest in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits on the floor before a yellow-tinted brick-like kund, tending a small flame with a ladle beside a brass bowl. Two attendants in orange, one wearing an orange turban, sit nearby. Behind them, an ornate gilded throne holds a garlanded deity murti flanked by flower garlands. On the right, a man in red dhoti, wearing a white shawl with a floral garland and gold armlets, sits near a gilded seat, while a figure in an orange turban and robes sits on a large gold-and-red decorated throne at the left. Marigold garlands decorate the seats and stage.2015-04-30