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A photograph of a floating temple-style float decorated with garlands of white, yellow, orange and purple flowers and green leaves, with a golden canopy and trident finial, sitting in water. A standing man in saffron-orange robes stands on the float holding a small lamp or offering dish. Around the float, many people stand waist-deep in water, some in saffron robes and others in white with yellow shawls, some holding brass offering trays and plates with flowers. Striped stepped tiers rise behind the water and palm trees appear in the background. The orange-robed figure has short hair and no crown, turban or rudraksha mala visible, so his identity is uncertain.

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July 08 20092009-07-08A flower-decorated wooden float with garlands of white jasmine, orange and red blossoms, purple flowers and green leaves stands in a shallow water tank beside striped red-and-white walls. A barefoot man in a saffron-orange robe stands on the float, holding a basket. Around it, saffron-robed priests and devotees wade in the water, some holding brass plates, a silver kalasha-like vessel and offerings, while others in white and yellow garments stand with hands folded. This appears to be a theppotsavam float-boat ritual in water. Several onlookers stand along the edge, and a kalasha with flowers rests on the pool edge at left.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated wooden float in shallow water at a temple tank, with red-and-white striped stepped walls behind. A standing figure in orange robes, with long dark hair and bare arms, stands on the float beside an ornate gold-and-red throne heaped with garlands of white, orange and yellow blossoms. Several people in saffron and orange robes wade around the float holding brass plates and a gold kalasha-shaped vessel, and devotees in white and yellow shawls stand in the water, some with hands raised in prayer. The float is decorated with striped cloth, palm fronds and purple flowers. This appears to be a theppotsavam float procession.2009-07-08A flower-decorated ceremonial float, or ratha-like palanquin, stands in a water tank lined with red-and-white striped steps. A man in an orange saffron dhoti and wrap, with long dark hair swept back, stands on the float raising one arm toward the crowd; his appearance fits the a person cues of long hair and saffron clothing, though the face is not used for identification. Around the float, devotees wade waist-deep in water, many in orange and white, holding brass plates of flowers and offerings, and orange-robed priests lift a brass vessel and a tray. The float is draped with white and orange garlands, yellow marigold strings, purple flowers and green foliage, with a canopy overhead. Several onlookers stand on the tank edge, and a brass lamp stand sits at the left.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated boat-shaped ratha or palanquin set in a water tank with white and red striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the decorated platform, bending toward offerings on brass plates held by saffron-robed attendants wading in the water. Marigold and jasmine garlands in orange, yellow and white decorate the structure. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand waist-deep in the water on the left, some with hands folded, and onlookers line the edge in the lower right. A brass kalasha and a plate of offerings sit at the front corner. The page identifies this as a theppotsavam event at Bidadi temple.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated ceremonial chariot standing in shallow water beside tiered red-and-white steps. A man in an orange-saffron robe stands on the chariot, his bare feet on the colourful striped cloth, reaching toward a basket of flower petals. The chariot's gold-and-red throne is garlanded with white jasmine, orange marigolds, purple flowers and green palm fronds. Around it, devotees in wet clothes stand in the water, some with hands folded in prayer; others in orange and yellow shawls hold brass plates, kalasha-style vessels and lit oil lamps on the edge. Several people in orange robes pour water and offer trays. a person is the man in the orange robe on the chariot, identified by his presentation: saffron clothing and an ornate garlanded throne setting.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated barge-like float (theppotsavam style) set in a shallow water tank with red-and-white striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the float, leaning forward to scatter something from a basket, surrounded by garlands of marigolds, roses and purple flowers and a pale canopy. Several people wade in the water in orange robes and white clothing, some holding brass plates, a kalasha-like vessel and a lamp. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand along the edge with hands folded in namaskar, and a brass lamp stand with flower petals sits on the stone edge at left. The setting suggests a temple tank ceremony.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08Photograph of a ritual at a stepped water tank with red and white banded walls. In the foreground, a crowd of devotees in white clothes stands waist-deep in water with hands folded in namaste. On the left, a figure in orange robes bends low over a black stone platform holding a brass ritual object, with small brass lamps and offerings nearby. On the right, a decorated palanquin or ratha draped with orange, yellow and purple flower garlands is attended by a person in red-orange clothing. Devotees on the steps and in the water watch the ceremony, which appears to be a water-based puja or abhishekam.2009-07-08A flower-decorated floating ratha or raft in a shallow tank with striped red-and-white walls. A central figure in a saffron-orange robe, with long dark hair and bare feet, stands on the raft over a colourful striped cloth, reaching down with a basket. Around the raft, many people stand waist-deep in water, several in saffron and orange robes and some in white, holding trays of offerings, brass vessels and lamps, and raising their hands. Garlands of marigold and purple flowers hang along the structure, with a kalasha-topped canopy above. The scene suggests a water ritual or theppotsavam procession. a person is the central figure standing on the raft, identified by long swept hair and saffron robe.2009-07-08