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A photograph of a ritual scene on a stage. On the left, a seated person with a flower garland and a rudraksha mala sits on a golden throne with a floral-decorated back in red, yellow, green and purple blossoms, hands pressed together in namaskar. Beside the throne, a shaved-headed priest in an orange-red shawl and white bead necklace raises his hand, and a younger attendant in orange with a white forehead marking and mala kneels with palms joined near a fire. In front, a yellow-draped ceremonial block, plates of bananas and fruit, and a small flame sit on a glass table. On the right, a gilded arched frame surrounds a green-draped deity murti decorated with a garland and jewelled ornaments. The left figure is not clearly identifiable by appearance alone, so no identity claim is made.

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April 23 20132013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copiesA ritual puja in front of a gilded shrine holding a decorated deity murti adorned with white and orange garlands, jewelled ornaments and a green silk cloth on a pink draped platform. In the foreground a man in an orange-red dhoti and shawl, wearing a rudraksha mala and a sandalwood mark on his bare chest, sits cross-legged before a small lit oil lamp and a brass plate of flowers, holding a ritual item to his face. Beside him a young boy in saffron-orange robes, an orange turban and a rudraksha mala sits with hands folded. Behind them on a red and gold throne decorated with multicoloured floral garlands sits another person in orange robes holding a golden staff, with a brass kalasha and offerings on the lower right. The scene suggests an abhishekam or puja setting.2015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30A ritual homa at a temple-style hall. A bald priest in a reddish-brown dhoti and a brown shawl, wearing a rudraksha mala and round glasses, sits on the floor pouring an offering from a silver ladle into a bright fire pit lined with yellow-ochre bricks. Beside him sits a young boy in an orange dhoti and saffron head wrap with a rudraksha mala, seated cross-legged with his hands resting on his knees, near a brass bowl and a basket of petals. Behind them a figure in orange and saffron sits on a red and gold throne draped with marigold garlands. A gold shrine arch frames a decorated deity murti with a crown and garlands on a pink cloth, with a lit oil lamp at the side.2015-04-30A 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 copiesA photograph of a Hindu ritual in an indoor hall. A bare-chested man with a shaved head, wearing a saffron-orange dhoti, a rudraksha mala and sandalwood marks, sits on the floor in front of a small brass lamp and offering trays, gesturing with one hand near a flame. A boy in orange clothes with an orange turban sits cross-legged beside him with folded hands. Behind them, a seated figure in orange and a red-orange turban holds a staff on an ornate golden throne draped with flower garlands. To the right, a deity murti adorned with white flower garlands, jewelled ornaments and a green silk cloth stands on a pink-draped altar.2015-04-30April 28 20152015-04-28A photograph of a temple-style ritual at a Meenakshi Tirukalyanam event. In the centre, a seated priest in a rust-orange dhoti and shawl with a dark rudraksha mala adjusts his hair while sitting before a small oil lamp burning on a yellow-draped floor. Beside him, a young attendant in saffron-orange robes and a saffron turban sits holding a bowl of flowers and a lamp. Behind them, a gold-framed shrine holds a deity murti decorated with white garlands and multicoloured flower strands. On the left, a figure in red and saffron sits on an ornate red and gold throne draped in flower garlands, holding a staff. Brass vessels, a kalasha and flower petals are placed on the floor.2015-04-30A ritual scene in a hall before a gilded throne draped with a large garland of red, yellow, white and green flowers. A man in an orange-red dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha mala and white tilak sits at a low table of offerings, gesturing with his hands, while a younger attendant in white with white markings and a mala sits beside him. Seated on the golden throne is a man in a red turban with a red flower garland and gold necklaces, holding a ceremonial sceptre. Behind them a standing priest in orange-red robes stands near a gold chair. The table holds peeled bananas, a silver bowl with a lamp, a kalasha, a brass pot, flowers and folded cloth in orange and gold. Smoke rises at the left edge.2015-04-28April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copies