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A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a shrine. A person's arm, bare and with a small tattoo on the wrist, pours a thick yellow liquid from a golden pot onto a tiered golden yantra-like base. Behind is a golden Nataraja murti dancing within an arched aureole, flanked by garlands of orange marigolds, pink flowers and white jasmine strands against dark green velvet drapery. On the left stands a golden figure of a bare-chested male devotee with folded hands, and on the right a golden female figure in a deep maroon garment holding a staff-like object. The person pouring wears rudraksha malas and white ritual cloth at the lower edge of the frame. The yellow liquid streams down over the base onto the glass-topped table.

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A photograph of a golden temple shrine centred on a gilded bronze Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, standing on a demon figure within an ornate flaming arch, with a pair of golden devotee statues flanking a golden Shri Chakra-style base. A pair of forearms and hands, one wearing a rudraksha mala, pours a stream of golden turmeric or abhishekam liquid from a golden pot over the statue on the right. Garlands of yellow, orange, pink and white flowers hang on dark green velvet behind the deities. The scene shows a daily abhishekam ritual at a temple altar.2024-02-21A shaved-headed priest with a red tilak on his forehead and a rudraksha mala draped over his bare chest pours liquid from a golden vessel over a bronze Nataraja murti. The dancing Shiva figure stands within a golden arch of flames on a lotus-like base, flanked by two smaller bronze figures, a standing devotee-like figure on the left and a figure holding a staff on the right. A gold sri yantra-style pyramid platform sits in front, with marigold and white flower garlands hanging on green velvet behind. Dishes of offerings and a small brass cup rest on the altar table. The priest wears a white dhoti with a gold border and white sacred ash markings on his arms.2024-02-21KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 1/7/20212021-01-07A man performing an abhishekam at a shrine. He wears a white turban and a white dhoti, is bare-chested, and has white sacred markings on his shoulders and upper arms; a rudraksha mala hangs around his neck. He pours liquid from a small vessel over a golden shivalingam-style yantra base in front of a gilded statue of Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, within an arched prabhavali. Beside the lingam stand a small golden murti of a standing figure and a golden figure in a maroon garment. The background is a gold-painted wall and a red cloth.A photograph of a golden Nataraja murti of Shiva dancing within a circular flaming arch, standing on a dwarf figure beneath him. Flower garlands of orange, yellow, pink and white frame the shrine. In front, a hand at the left holds a lit camphor or flame near a small bell, with a bright flame burning beside the dancing figure. Flanking the central tiered shrine are a standing male figure with a raised hand on the left and a female figure holding a vessel on the right, both gold-toned. Marigold petals lie scattered on the base and the shelf. This is a deity shrine scene with aarti being performed; no person's face is visible.2024-02-21KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 3/1/20222022-03-01December 23 20182018-12-23A gilded Nataraja murti of Shiva dancing within a flaming circular prabhavali halo, standing on a lotus pedestal and trampling a small figure below. Flanking it are two gold-painted standing statues, a male devotee-figure on the left with raised hand and a female figure on the right holding a pot. A golden sri yantra-like pyramid stands in front. A human hand with a brass bell and rudraksha bracelet offers a flame or oil lamp to the central deity. Green velvet backdrop with marigold, white and pink garlands, and scattered rose petals on the altar tray.2024-02-21KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 6/28/20212021-06-28Close-up photograph of an abhishekam being performed on a gilded metal murti of Shiva seated with Parvati beside him, under an ornate arched canopy. A pair of bare hands, one wearing a beaded bracelet and bangles, pours liquid from a silver vessel over the figures; yellow liquid runs down the golden surfaces and collects on the base. Shiva holds a damaru in one raised hand and shows an abhaya gesture with another. Parvati wears a draped green-gold garment. The background is blurred with blue and green fabric. Only the hands of the officiant are visible.2011-11-10KAILASA LOS ANGELES, USA on 7/21/20222022-07-21A photograph of a temple ritual centred on a Nataraja shrine. A shaven-headed priest in a white turban, bare-chested with a white dhoti and tilak marks on his arms and shoulders, wears a rudraksha mala and pours water from a brass vessel over a bronze Nataraja image in the Ananda Tandava dancing pose. Beside it a small bronze devotee figure stands and a second bronze figure is being bathed. Brass bowls with flower petals sit on a side table. Behind is a gold prabhavali arch against a red backdrop and gold-painted walls.