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Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of workers at a night-time metal casting site, crouched around a glowing furnace pit of red-hot coals and flames. Several men in checked lungis and striped shirts, one in a teal shirt and white gloves, hold long iron tongs and rods over the fire, handling crucible-like pieces of molten metal. Dirt floor, concrete base and scattered debris surround the pit. No temple ritual or a person appears in the frame.

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Making Of Sacred Arts UniversityA photograph of a foundry scene at an outdoor earthen pit. A crucible glowing red-hot with molten metal is being lifted and tilted over a clay mould by workers holding long iron rods and poles. Flames and smoke rise from the molten pour. Several workers in checked lungis and shirts stand around, including a woman in a floral blouse and blue checked skirt on the right holding a cloth. Dirt ground, sacks and bamboo are visible in the background.A photograph of an outdoor brick-lined furnace in dirt ground, with several crucibles glowing red-hot and flames rising from them. Two long metal tongs are used to handle a crucible, and a metal rod rests across the top. Workers in checked lungis stand at the edge, partially visible at the frame's top and sides, and charcoal and ash are scattered around the base. The scene appears to show metal being melted or cast, consistent with the making of ritual deity figures and vahanas as described on the page.Making Of Sacred Arts UniversityMaking Of Sacred Arts UniversityA photograph of a traditional open clay furnace at night, glowing bright orange with flames and molten metal visible inside a brick-lined firebox. Two men stand at the sides of the furnace: one on the left wears a blue-and-white checked lungi and a red cloth draped over his shoulder, and one on the right wears a teal t-shirt and a checked lungi, both holding long iron rods used to work the metal. Glowing embers scatter across the dark ground. Such a furnace suggests metal casting, shown here as part of the making of temple deities.Making Of Sacred Arts UniversityMaking Of Sacred Arts UniversityMaking Of Sacred Arts UniversityOutdoor foundry scene beside a thatched-roof hut with a palm-leaf roof. Two men in lungis and a shirt carry a glowing crucible of molten metal suspended from a long iron bar, with sparks falling onto the dirt ground. Smoke rises from a furnace pit behind them and a third worker stands near the hut. A small framed picture sits on a stone ledge by the hut wall. Discarded coconut husks and a plastic sheet lie on the ground. The molten metal is.An outdoor brick furnace with a large open fire burning inside, flames and smoke rising from it. Several men in lungis and loose shirts stand around it, one in a purple shirt and one in a green shirt with a face cloth, holding long metal rods used to tend the fire and work the molten material. A pile of red and maroon cloth or fibre lies to the left on the ground. Green foliage and palm trunks fill the background of the open yard.A photograph of a metal casting process at an outdoor workshop. A crucible with glowing red-hot molten metal sits over a stone mould pit, held by long iron tongs. Flames rise from the fire. Several workers stand around, wearing checked lungis and plaid shirts, handling the tongs and burlap cloths. A worker in a yellow shirt crouches at the lower left. The ground is dirt with scattered metal scraps. No a person is visible in this image; the page refers to deity making, not a person shown here.