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A priest in a white dhoti with gold border and white turban, bare-chested and marked with white paste on his shoulders and back, stands at left touching the cheek of a golden statue. The statue wears a white turban with a green fan-shaped ornament, ornate gold and jewelled necklaces, layered garlands of white jasmine, red roses and yellow marigolds, and a green embroidered garment. Behind are gold and red draped fabrics and a brass lamp, with a brass bowl and dish in the lower foreground. The scene appears to be an abhishekam or puja ritual at a devotional altar.

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A priest in white dhoti with gold border and white turban, bare-backed and marked with white ash, adorns a golden statue with garlands. The statue wears a green turban with a white-and-gold headpiece, a green silk garment, layered silver-and-jewelled necklaces, and long garlands of white jasmine, red roses and yellow marigolds. Brass oil lamps, brass bowls and a gold-patterned altar cloth stand in the foreground, with a golden ornate backdrop behind. This appears to be a statue being dressed during a Laghu Puja ritual, a statue rather than a living person.2025-07-02A bare-chested priest in a white turban and white dhoti with gold border stands with his back to the camera, applying white paste to the chest of a bronze statue. The statue wears a white turban with a green fan-shaped fold, heavy gold and jewelled necklaces, a green embroidered garment, and layered garlands of white jasmine, yellow marigolds and red roses. A rudraksha mala hangs on the priest's shoulder. Behind them are a red velvet drape and an ornate gold and jewelled backdrop with a golden figure at the right edge.2025-07-02A priest with a bare back and white dhoti with gold border, wearing a white turban and rudraksha mala, applies white paste to the chest of a golden-bronze statue. The statue wears a white and green turban with a green fan-shaped ornament, layered jeweled necklaces, and garlands of white jasmine, red roses and yellow marigolds. Behind it stand ornate gold and jeweled backdrops and a red curtain, indicating a temple or ritual setting.2025-07-02A priest with a shaved upper body wearing a white and gold-bordered dhoti and a white turban with gold edging stands at left, his back to the camera, applying white ash markings while facing a golden statue. The statue is a standing figure in a green brocade garment and a white and green turban with a jewelled ornament, draped with garlands of yellow marigolds, red roses and white flowers, and wearing layered gold and jewelled necklaces. Its right hand is raised in blessing. In front, a brass bowl, a small bell and oil lamps sit on a red and gold cloth, with ornate gold metalwork and a pink fabric behind.2025-07-02A priest with a bare upper body, white turban and white dhoti with gold border stands at left, draping a garland of white jasmine, red roses and yellow marigolds over a golden deity murti. The murti wears a green silk sari, layered silver-and-jewelled necklaces, a white and green turban with a gold ornament, and a green-and-white cloth. Brass lamps and bowls sit on a red and gold cloth in the foreground, with a gold peacock-shaped lamp at right. The figure is a statue, not a physical person.2025-07-02A photograph of a temple puja in progress. A priest wearing a white and gold-bordered turban, bare-chested with white sacred markings on his arms and torso, a red tilak on his forehead, layered rudraksha malas and a white and gold dhoti, raises his right hand in a blessing gesture while holding a brass bell in his left hand. Beside him stands a golden deity murti in a green silk garment with a green and white turban, adorned with white jasmine garlands, red flower garlands, yellow marigold strands and a heavy jewelled necklace. Brass oil lamps, a brass bowl and a red-and-gold cloth sit on the altar in front, with an ornate dark embroidered backdrop behind.2025-07-02A priest in a white dhoti and white turban with gold border, bare-shouldered and marked with white ash stripes, bends forward at a brass tray to light small oil lamps and a stick of incense. Behind him stands a golden statue of a deity form adorned with a white and green turban, heavy jewelled necklaces, layered white and red flower garlands and a green silk garment. Brass vessels, a kalasha-style bowl and ornate lamp stands fill the foreground, with draped dark red curtains and an embellished backdrop behind.2025-07-02A priest in a white turban with gold border and bare upper body, marked with white ash stripes, bends over a brass tray at a shrine. He wears a white dhoti with gold border and a rudraksha mala. Behind him stands a golden statue of a figure in a green turban with a jeweled turban ornament, a green-and-gold garment, a jeweled necklace and garlands of white flowers, red roses and yellow marigolds. Brass oil lamps and a brass bowl sit on a red-draped altar, with ornate gilded decorations in the background.2025-07-02A priest with a bare upper body, white dhoti with gold border and white turban with gold stripes stands at left, his back to the camera, touching the garlanded bronze-gold statue of a royal figure in front of him. The statue wears a green turban with a green fan-shaped top, a green robe, a heavy jeweled necklace, and garlands of white jasmine, red roses and yellow marigolds. Brass bowls and a lamp sit on an orange embroidered cloth at the base, with a brass oil lamp and ornate gold hangings behind. A partially visible American flag and red and gold lettering at the bottom edge suggest a banner. Only the priest is a physical person; the figure is a statue.2025-07-02A photograph inside a temple shows a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a gold border and a sacred thread, performing a ritual before a large golden statue of a richly adorned man. The statue wears a red and gold turban with a crescent ornament, layered gold necklaces, a rudraksha mala, and a garland of red, white, green and yellow flowers. The priest is applying a mark to the statue's forehead with his right hand. A small brass bowl, cups and a tray sit on a turquoise embroidered cloth-covered table, and a smaller brass statue of a standing figure with rudraksha beads stands in front. Behind are dark red curtains and a painted pillar. A sign at lower left shows a small photo and printed text.A photograph inside a temple shrine showing a shirtless priest with a rudraksha mala and white dhoti with gold border performing abhishekam with a lamp and offerings toward a large golden-bronze statue of a man wearing a rust-red turban with a crescent emblem, layered gold and rudraksha necklaces, a multi-strand garland in red, yellow, white and green, and rust-brown garments. Brass oil lamps with flames, brass vessels and a blue gold-embroidered cloth cover the altar table. A smaller golden statue stands at right beside a placard reading the shrine name. Behind is a richly decorated gold and embroidered arch with peacock-motif banners. The statue is a depiction, not a living person; the only physical person is the priest.A photograph of a temple puja before a richly decorated deity murti. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and green sash, with a green headband and a rudraksha-style bead necklace, leans forward and reaches toward the deity. The murti wears a gold crown, gold jewellery, a green and gold brocade garment and a large floral garland. Behind it stand banks of marigold and red-and-white flower garlands, green leaves, a gold throne back and red drapery. The priest's face is partly turned away from the camera.2016-03-27