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Outdoor puja at a Karthikai Deepam celebration. On the left, two women in orange and red saris sit with palms pressed together in prayer, one with a rudraksha-style necklace and a red bindi. On the right, a shaved-headed priest in orange robes with white sacred ash markings on his forehead, arms and chest performs the worship, holding a small green-clad figure over a red mat. Brass vessels, a small bell, a brass oil lamp and a silver plate with flowers and offerings sit before him. Behind them, a large deity murti with a crown and flower garlands sits on a golden throne under orange and gold draping, with a standing man in a white vest in the background.

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November 27 20122012-11-27Outdoor puja under a decorated canopy with red, orange and pink streamers and hanging lamps. A seated figure in orange robes with a crown-like headdress sits on a raised dais behind a golden deity murti and flower garlands, with brass oil lamps flanking it. A standing man in white dhoti attends at left. In the foreground, a row of women in orange and maroon saris and sadhus in saffron robes with white tilak marks sit on a red mat with hands in anjali, while a brass bell, kalasha and brass lamps rest on a white platform. Swamiji (probable) is the central seated figure on the dais, identified by his orange robes, flower garlands and the crown-like headdress. Dusk setting with trees behind.2012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27November 27 20122012-11-27A photograph of a seated group of devotees performing a puja on a floor covered with orange mats. In the foreground, three women sit with palms pressed together in anjali. The woman on the left wears an orange saree with a red blouse and a beaded mala, and her hands are folded at her chest. The middle woman wears a white dhoti-style garment with an orange shawl and gold bangles, eyes closed in prayer. The woman on the right wears a cream saree with an orange shawl and forehead tilak. Behind them, more devotees in white with yellow and orange shawls sit in rows, some with hands folded. Brass plates, oil lamps, flowers, and white flower offerings sit on the orange cloth before them. A steel railing and a digital clock appear at the right edge.2010-09-14November 27 20122012-11-27Priests in saffron and orange robes perform a puja at a golden-framed platform holding a green-clad deity murti. A man with grey hair and beard, in orange cloth with a red shawl, holds a brass lamp and a small brass vessel while seated. Another man on the left, bare-chested with a gold chain, reaches toward the deity, and a young man on the right sits with palms joined in prayer. Trays of yellow flowers, red flowers, banana leaves and brass implements lie on the floor, and a monk's back is in the foreground. Stone carved panels form the background.2010-07-21A puja is performed outdoors on a whitewashed terrace. A central figure with long, swept-back dark hair, a red bindi, rudraksha mala and orange clothing rings a handbell while seated before a small deity murti dressed in green and gold with a white and gold garland and marigolds. In front, brass vessels, a silver bowl of mangoes, a kalasha and marigold petals rest on an orange cloth. The seated man to the left wears orange clothing and presses his hands together in prayer. Behind, a man in white and orange, several devotees in orange shawls with hands folded, a bearded older man and a woman in green sit near a tiger-striped cushioned seat and a microphone stand. Probable identification cues for the central figure: long swept-back hair, orange robes and rudraksha mala while performing puja. The same figure is shown performing a padapuja-style ritual in the scene.2008-07-03A photograph of a ritual before a large pink deity murti, with garlands of purple flowers and gold drapery behind. In the foreground, a shaved-headed man in white ritual cloth with a red border and a gold necklace stands with palms pressed together in anjali. Beside him, a woman in an orange and red saree with a leaf pattern, a red bindi and a rudraksha-style mala stands with eyes closed. At the right, another woman in an orange saree with a red border holds a pink lotus flower in her hands. A lotus and offering items are visible at the bottom of the frame. The scene suggests a puja or aarti. The only shaved-headed figure wears white ritual clothing without cues to identify him as the teacher, so his identity is uncertain.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA seated group performs a devotional puja in a hall, with devotees holding hands in namaskar. A bald young priest in orange-saffron robes, sandalwood tilak and a rudraksha-style mala sits front centre with palms pressed together. Beside him a shaved-headed boy in orange cloth and a white tilak also joins his palms. Women in red and gold saris, a girl in a blue dress and men in white and checked shirts sit on a floor mat. Silver puja vessels, a bowl of flowers and a brass lamp lie before them, and a golden deity murti decorated with garlands and a blue-green cloth stands at right. A wall-mounted air conditioner and fan are visible behind.2013-05-12A row of young women seated on the floor in an ashram hall, chanting or meditating with hands held in front of them. Most wear orange or saffron sarees with maroon borders and red-and-gold trim, and rudraksha malas around their necks. Several have white vibhuti or tilak marks on their foreheads. Brass puja vessels, small lamps, a red cloth and scattered pink flower petals sit on a silver-coloured platform in the foreground, indicating a ritual setting. No a person candidate is visible in this frame.2013-05-10