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Photograph of an evening temple-tank ceremony beside a reflecting pool, with a large stepped stone ghat behind. A man seated on an ornate golden throne with a tall decorated canopy of white, orange and red flowers and fabric sits at right, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala and a red shawl, and a probable Swamiji candidate is identifiable by his long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklace and throne-centred role, though his face is not used. Seated before him in rows are devotees in white, yellow, orange and saffron clothes, with brass plates of offerings and lit oil lamps on low wooden tables. A screen showing a video feed stands among them, and drummers in orange and red sit on the steps behind, with more people in white and saffron seated above. Tall brass lamp stands flank the foreground.

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February 24 20172017-02-24Elevated view of a large outdoor ceremony at a temple-like courtyard with stepped stone seating. A central figure sits on an ornate golden throne (peetha) under a large decorated canopy with curved, flower-covered arches in red, white, pink and green. The seated figure wears a saffron-orange shawl and a rudraksha mala, with long dark hair, and is flanked by attendants in white dhotis holding ceremonial fans and staffs. Rows of seated devotees in white, cream and orange clothing sit on the floor at low wooden tables laden with fruit, sweets and plates, with brass oil lamps (lamps) in the foreground beside a shallow reflecting water surface. Drummers in orange and white sit on the stone steps behind, and a monitor displays a screen near the front. Appearance-based candidate only; identity uncertain.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24Night ceremony in a large open-air hall with tiered seating filled with white-clad attendees. A central figure sits on an ornate gold throne carved with lions and a kirtimukha, backed by a floral arch of white, orange and red flowers. The seated figure wears a rust-coloured dhoti and a beaded rudraksha mala, and holds a ceremonial staff with one hand raised. Seated devotees in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, some with sacred threads, hold lit oil lamps and offer prayers. Brass trays of fruit and food sit on a low table in front, and a woman in a red sari with folded hands stands beside the throne. a person: the seated figure on the gold throne, wearing a rust-coloured garment, rudraksha mala and ceremonial staff, presiding over the puja.2017-02-24A photograph of a ceremonial gathering at a large outdoor venue during an evening ritual. A bearded man with a tilak on his forehead and a rudraksha mala sits on a tall ornate golden throne with a pointed golden canopy, set against a large arch of white, orange and magenta flower garlands. He holds a long ceremonial staff. Before him, rows of devotees sit on low wooden benches in white, saffron and gold clothing, many with brass plates of offerings, flower petals and small oil lamps. In the foreground a tall brass oil lamp stands on the right, and a canopy and seated spectators appear on the stepped stands in the background. The setting suggests a pada puja or pratyaksha puja, and the bearded man is the central figure receiving devotees.2017-02-24Outdoor ceremony on a tiered stone amphitheatre-style platform. A man with long dark hair and a rudraksha mala sits on an ornate golden throne with lion figures, set within a large peacock-shaped arch of white, red, green and orange flower garlands. Several people in white and yellow clothing sit on the steps and at low wooden tables laden with fruit and sweets, with brass lamps and trident-topped stands in front. Behind them, many people in orange and saffron robes sit tiered on the steps, some playing drums, and a large display screen shows a video feed. A tall column wrapped in multicoloured flower garlands stands at right, with a brass kalasha-style vessel nearby. The setting suggests a festival satsang or darshan.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24Night outdoor event on a terraced ground with a large crowd seated in rows, many in white dhotis and saffron or orange garments. On the right, a large golden throne with carved ornate detailing and a leopard-skin cushion sits beneath a huge floral arch of white, orange and green flower garlands. A man in orange-saffron clothing with long hair, rudraksha malas and a microphone sits on the throne, holding a ceremonial staff. Women in white and gold saris and orange garments, some wearing red and gold garlands, stand and hold their hands together near him. In the centre, a screen shows a crowd, and a man in orange clothing and a bare-chested man in white dhoti are seated near a table with lit oil lamps. Floodlights illuminate the scene.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24Outdoor ceremonial scene on tiered stone steps at a temple-like venue. A central golden throne with a large floral backdrop of garlands in orange, yellow, pink and green sits under an ornate white-and-pink canopy. A man seated on the throne wears a dark robe and has long dark hair, with ornate golden elements nearby; he is one of the more distinctive figures on the dais, but the image does not clearly establish whether he is a person, so this is left unsure. Around the dais, devotees sit in rows on the steps, many in saffron and orange robes, others in white, yellow and green, with a few men bare-chested. Brass oil lamps, ritual trays of flowers and fruit, a kalasha-style vessel and a tall trident-like staff are arranged on low wooden tables. A large video screen shows a grid of participants. Drummers and attendants stand to the left, and the setting suggests a puja or satsang.2017-02-24