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A bare-chested priest with a white ash band across his forehead and a red kumkum mark stands at a golden altar, wearing an orange dhoti with a green border and a sacred thread. He holds a ritual implement over an arch of red and white flower garlands framing a row of black stone deity murti with garlands and red cloth. Brass vessels, a lit oil lamp, a gold-bordered cloth and a plate of red flower petals sit on the altar. The setting is a yellow tiled wall, consistent with a puja or abhishekam being performed.

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A shirtless priest with a bare, sweat-sheened back and a bun of dark hair stands at a shrine, lighting an oil lamp with a flame held near a gold arch decorated with red and white flower garlands. He wears an orange dhoti with a green and gold border, and white sacred ash marks on his forehead and arms. Behind him, rows of black stone deity murtis are garlanded with red and white flowers and draped in red cloth, set against a gold brick wall. On the altar in front are brass plates, a kalasha-style brass vessel, incense sticks with smoke rising, and a plate of red petals. The scene shows a puja in progress, with one visible person.2024-10-24A bare-chested priest in an orange dhoti with white vertical tilak markings on his forearms and forehead pours water from a brass vessel over a Shivalinga-style deity form, its gold-framed arch draped with red and white garlands. Behind him, several dark stone or metal murtis with red and white garlands stand in a row against a yellow brick wall. A trident stands at the front of the arch. The scene is an abhishekam ritual in progress.2024-10-24A photograph inside a temple hall with a white marble floor and a dark stone-edged sunken pool holding a marigold garland on a brass tray. A bare-chested priest with a shaved head, wearing a white dhoti with red-and-gold borders and a red-and-gold headband, bends over a stone altar. He tends brass lamps, a lit oil lamp, brass vessels and a tray of bananas, apples and other fruit. Behind him, a row of black stone deity murtis with orange-red cloth stands on tiered platforms, and a gold-framed figure in a white sari stands in an arch. A golden tray with an orange cloth sits on a side table in the foreground.2024-03-07A photograph of a shrine ritual inside a room with yellow-gold brick walls. On the left, a bare-chested priest in an orange dhoti with green borders pours liquid from a brass vessel, with a white tilak smeared across his forehead and chest. On the right, an older bald priest in a white dhoti and bare chest, wearing a rudraksha mala, holds a brass plate with orange fruit. Behind them, a gold arch is draped with red and white flower garlands, and rows of black deity murtis wear red garments and flower garlands. A brass oil lamp and a small brass figure sit on the black-tiled altar, indicating abhishekam and puja.2024-10-24A photograph inside a temple shrine room. An older man with a bare upper torso, a white dhoti, a rudraksha mala and a wristwatch stands bent over at a white counter, pouring liquid from a brass vessel onto a metal tray. The tray holds a small figure decorated with orange and white marigold garlands and a red cloth. Brass oil lamps, a small brass pot and steel bowls of offerings sit nearby. Behind him, golden deity figures and statues stand on pedestals, and a sign reads KAILASA TORONTO CANADA. The setting is a ritual abhishekam or puja.2024-11-16Inside a temple shrine, a bare-chested man in a white dhoti with an orange-and-white border stands at a white marble counter, holding a small brass vessel and attending to brass plates, cups and oil lamps. Beside him is a large black Nandi bull statue draped with a red, white and gold garland and a green cloth. To the right stand small brass and gold figures of deities, a flower-decorated platter with petals on the dark floor, and a gold arch with a red cloth behind. On the left is a wall of small red deity figures garlanded with flowers, and a pink-backed shrine niche holds a dark deity murti in a pink dress. Hanging garlands of yellow and red flowers frame the scene.2024-09-22A temple shrine interior where a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with an orange-and-green border stands at a white altar, holding a small bell in one hand and raising a spoon or small vessel in the other during a puja. A black stone Nandi bull with a red-and-white garland sits at left on the altar. Behind him is a gold-framed niche holding a deity murti draped in pink and red cloth, and rows of red-clad figures line the left wall. On the right, a gilded elephant motif and garlands hang near a brass tray of flowers and offerings, with small brass lamps and a silver plate of fruit on the altar. The priest wears a gold chain and a rudraksha-style necklace.2024-09-22A shaved-headed man with a bare upper body and a white cloth draped over his shoulder holds a brass plate with a lit oil lamp toward a shrine. Beaded necklaces and a bracelet are visible on him. Inside the room, a row of black stone deity murtis in red garments with flower garlands stands on the left, and a dark deity murti in a purple and gold cloth sits on a pedestal at the back. Gold-framed arched niches and a dark wooden table complete the scene.2024-10-19A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with gold border and an orange turban performs a puja at a golden altar. He holds a lit lamp toward a row of kalasha pots wrapped with coconuts, garlanded and decorated with green leaves and red petals. Behind the altar is a gold arched shrine with red drapery, and gilded deity statues line the temple hall. Rose petals are scattered on the teal mat. A second person in white stands at the right edge.A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a green-and-gold border stands at left, holding a brass bell in one hand and a brass oil lamp or ritual vessel in the other, performing puja beside a blue patterned cloth laid with brass plates, bowls, flowers, a banana leaf and a small lamp. At right, rows of black stone Nayanmar-type sculptures sit tiered on steps, each wearing a red cloth and a garland of white and pink flowers. A framed picture hangs on the back wall beside a small silver shrine. The priest has white sacred markings on his forehead and arms and a braided topknot.2024-09-22A photograph of a priest performing puja in a small shrine room with mustard-yellow walls. The priest, bare-chested and wearing a white dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth, has white sacred ash markings on his arms and a rudraksha-style bead necklace, and he holds a brass bell in one hand while gesturing toward a silver-coloured shrine cabinet. On the altar in front are brass plates with flower petals, a yellow cloth, and a brass vessel. Along the right wall, rows of black stone statues of seated sages stand on tiered steps, each wearing red cloth and white-and-pink flower garlands. A framed picture and a small green-lit speaker sit nearby.2024-09-22A shirtless priest in a white dhoti with an orange-and-white border stands at left, holding a brass lamp with a lit flame in front of a shrine. Sacred ash markings are on his chest and arms, a metal headpiece sits on his head, and a beaded chain hangs at his neck. Behind him are golden deity figures and a golden elephant-like sculpture. At right, a black linga is draped with white and red flower garlands and rudraksha-style beads, with a red-and-white striped band across its face. Small brass and metal figures stand on black plinths beside it. On the lower table are brass plates with flower petals, small lamps, a bell and offering vessels. The priest is not a person by appearance cues.2024-09-22