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A shaved-headed, bare-chested priest in a white dhoti and sacred thread raises a lit oil lamp toward a golden shrine at a temple altar. Behind him stands a golden deity murti of a multi-armed goddess in red and gold garments with a crown, flanked by two standing golden attendant figures in red robes and tall turbans. In the centre foreground, a black Shiva lingam wrapped in a red-and-white draped cloth and marigold and rose garlands sits before the figures. Brass oil lamps and kalasha-style offerings surround the altar, with a green-and-gold cloth and red-and-orange silk drapes framing the scene and colourful painted pillars on either side. Decorative garlands in green, yellow and white hang on the figures, and small offerings sit on the platform in front.

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A priest with a bare upper body and white sacred marks on his arms performs aarti with a lit flame before a decorated shrine. Behind the shrine stand several gilded murtis draped in flower garlands, including a central figure holding a trident and a figure in a pink sari, with a bearded figure on the right in a dark red robe. A linga-like form in the centre is adorned with flowers and jewelry, and a small silver-bordered lamp sits on the altar. Red curtains frame the scene.2021-01-05A photograph of a shaved-headed, bare-chested priest in a white dhoti and sacred thread, raising a white fan or chamara over a decorated altar. The central deity murti is a seated golden figure with a red turban, ornate jewellery and a crown-like headdress, flanked by a second golden figure in a crown and jewelled necklaces. Two standing sage statues in red and saffron robes, with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces, stand on either side. The black Shiva linga at the base is dressed in a red cloth and garlands of red, yellow and white flowers, with brass oil lamps and a small offering vessel in front. Red curtains and a decorated arch frame the scene.2024-07-09KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 2/2/20212021-02-02A bare-chested priest with long dark hair and a white sacred-ash marking on his arms and chest stands at lower left, holding a lit multi-wick oil lamp aloft toward a shrine. Behind an altar of gold-trimmed, jewelled arches and red curtains stand multiple decorated deity murtis: a central figure in a red-and-gold crown with a bejewelled necklace and a female figure in a purple sari with garlands, flanked by a bearded sage-like figure in a maroon robe and rudraksha mala, and a green-turbaned figure on the left. A large Shiva lingam draped in a golden cloth and garlands sits in front, with brass lamps and a kalasha at the base. Garlands of white and orange flowers hang across the shrine. The event is a temple puja or aarti at the Los Angeles temple, a bare-chested priest offering lamp light.2022-01-16KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 2/17/20192019-02-17KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 1/5/20212021-01-05A priest with a bare upper body and white dhoti, seen from behind at left, performs aarti with a lit oil lamp before a shrine of deity murtis. Central seated murti wears a yellow headdress, white and maroon drapery, red and yellow marigold garlands and gold ornaments on a throne-like seat. Standing figures flank the shrine: at left a figure in white and gold with a crown and garlands, at right a bearded figure in a red turban, rudraksha-style beads and yellow garland. Behind them a red curtain and ornate silver-and-gold backdrop. Small white and gold figurines sit on pedestals at the front. Ritual shrine worship in a temple setting.2021-01-26KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 12/22/20202020-12-22A temple shrine with golden deity murtis under an ornate arched backdrop of mirrored and jewelled panels. Two standing figures flank the central seated pair; the seated figures wear pink and magenta cloth, crowns, garlands and ornate necklaces, and one holds a trident. A shaven-headed priest with a bare upper body and white sacred markings on his arms and chest stands in the foreground, raising a lit multi-flame aarti lamp toward a purple-draped central murti adorned with yellow and white garlands. Brass oil lamps stand on the floor, and a small purple-clad figure sits on a pedestal at right. The priest is performing aarti, not a physical person identifiable as a person.2021-01-24KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 3/8/20212021-03-08KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 1/10/20212021-01-10Photo 99176292022-10-22 +1 copies