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A photograph of a ritual in a richly decorated hall. On the left, a man with long dark hair, a rust-orange turban and wrap, and rudraksha beads on his arms and chest pours white powder over a tall white conical stone form, a Shiva lingam, which is being bathed in white dust and powder. Behind him, a figure in rust-red and gold brocade with crystal-studded shoulder ornaments sits beside gold ritual objects, with garlands of yellow, orange and purple flowers in the background.

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February 24 20172017-02-24A photograph of a man in a rust-orange saffron wrap and matching headcloth pouring white powder over a white conical lingam at a temple abhishekam. He has long dark dreadlocked hair, rudraksha beads on his wrist and a rudraksha mala, and his bare upper body is visible. Behind him stand gilded deity figures and a large jeweled murti wearing a red and gold silk garment with rhinestone ornaments, and a tiger-skin cloth. Garlands of marigolds and other flowers hang in the upper left. A rudraksha-style gold necklace is also visible on the figure at right. The scene suggests a Rudrabhishekam or Shivaratri ritual.2017-02-24A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at night. A bare-chested man with long dark hair, a red-orange cloth draped over his shoulders and a red-orange head wrap, wearing rudraksha bracelets, pours white powder over a stone linga. Behind him a large deity murti in gold and bejewelled red-and-gold silk garments is decorated with jewelled ornaments and garlands. A brass plate of white powder sits at left, and an oil lamp glows at the lower right edge.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a temple shrine. A man on the left wears an orange-red turban and orange-red cloth, with a rudraksha mala and gold bangles on his arm. He pours or applies white powder onto a large white shivalinga-shaped form on a stone base. Behind it, a deity murti is dressed in a red and gold brocade garment with jewelled silver ornaments and a garland of flowers. Marigold and multicoloured flower garlands hang at the edges of the frame.2017-02-24A ceremonial abhishekam scene in a temple setting. A man with long dark dreadlocks, a rust-red headwrap and a rust-red cloth wrapped at his waist, bare-chested and wearing rudraksha bracelets, pours white powder from a silver plate onto a white shivalinga-shaped stone. Behind him, a gilded deity murti adorned with jewelled ornaments and a crown stands beside a figure in a maroon and gold silk blouse with a heavy jewelled necklace and a long gold-bordered skirt. A brass oil lamp burns at the lower right, and floral garlands decorate the background.2017-02-24A photo of a ritual abhishekam at night. A figure with long dark hair wrapped in a rust-red turban and rust-red cloth, with rudraksha beads on the arm, pours white powder from a large golden ceremonial plate onto a white heap at the base of a deity murti. The murti wears gold ornaments and an embellished red-and-gold sari-style garment; gold hands and jewelled armlets are visible. Behind is a backdrop of colourful flower garlands in yellow, red, and green. The figure's identity cannot be confirmed from appearance, so they are described by role as the officiating priest.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a Shiva lingam, with white powder or substance being poured over the stone form. A man stands at left with long dark braided hair under a rust-red turban, wearing a rust-red wrap, gold armband and beaded bracelets, his arm extended over the lingam. At right, a figure in a pink-and-gold embellished garment with heavy crystal-studded jewelled ornaments and a gold armlet stands beside the lingam. Behind them are golden hands, a glittering deity murti and floral garlands, with a small oil lamp flame at lower right.2017-02-24A man with long, dreadlock-like black hair wrapped in a rust-orange head cloth and an orange-saffron wrap stands at left, bare-chested with a rudraksha bead bracelet on his upper arm, sprinkling white powder onto a grey stone shivalinga. Behind him, ornate deity murtis in gold and jewelled crowns are dressed in red and gold silk with sparkling jewellery, and a lit oil lamp glows at right. The scene suggests a ritual abhishekam, with white powder covering the lingam.2017-02-24A photograph of a temple ritual in which a man with a bare upper torso and red-brown dhoti stands at left, wearing a red-brown head wrap, rudraksha malas, bangles and gold ear ornaments, while pouring or applying white powder onto a large white conical stone lingam with a flat circular top. Beside it, an ornate deity murti is adorned with jewelled, gold and crystal ornaments and a red-brown silk garment. Green and red floral garlands hang in the background. A second person in red-brown clothing assists at left. The white powder is in motion around the lingam.2017-02-24