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A photograph of a temple-style ritual at a deity shrine. A central man with a shaved head, wire-rimmed glasses, rudraksha mala and a reddish-brown dhoti and shawl performs an aarti with a lamp and a bell-like implement in front of a decorated deity murti. The murti is draped with white and yellow flower garlands and wears gold ornaments, set in a gilded arched shrine with a pink sequined base. Two attendants in orange-saffron turbans and robes sit nearby; the one at left has his hands folded in prayer. Brass vessels, green leaves and a small offering stand on the yellow platform in front. Behind them, ornate flower-covered thrones are visible.

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April 30 20152015-04-30A photograph of a temple ritual before an ornate deity murti of Meenakshi, adorned with white and multicolored flower garlands, jewelled crown and gold ornaments, seated on a pink draped platform beneath a gold canopy. In the foreground a man in a rust-red dhoti with a gold-bordered shawl and a rudraksha mala holds a lit oil lamp aloft during aarti, while a young assistant in orange and gold robes with a saffron turban sits with palms joined in namaskar. Another attendant in an orange turban holds a lamp nearby, and a second figure in orange robes sits behind with a garland on a flower-decorated seat. Brass vessels, a bowl of flowers and a yellow-tiled platform occupy the lower foreground. A possible candidate with shaved head and bare shoulders is present but the appearance is not distinctive enough to confirm identity; no printed name appears in the scene.2015-04-30April 30 20152015-04-30April 28 20152015-04-28A puja ceremony on a carpeted floor in a hall. On the right, a man in a saffron-orange turban and ornate gold and red-bead necklaces sits on a gold throne with folded hands, while a red and white garland hangs over the armrest. In front, a shaved-headed priest in an orange-brown garment with a rudraksha mala lifts a flaming lamp and ritual vessel. A younger man in white with gold-bordered cloth and folded hands sits to the left, and an elderly man in orange with white garlands and white forehead marks sits on a second gold throne behind. Bananas, plates, a kalasha-like pot and flowers lie on the floor.2015-04-28Photograph of a puja ceremony in a hall. In the centre, a man with a shaved head, glasses and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged in saffron-orange clothing with his hands pressed together in prayer. Beside him on the left, a young boy in an orange turban and orange robe with gold trim, also with a rudraksha mala, sits with hands folded. Behind them, a decorated altar holds deity murti garlanded with yellow and white flowers, with pink draped cloth. In front, a brass oil lamp burns, with brass bowls of flowers, a kalasha-style vessel, and stacked yellow turmeric blocks on a stone slab. Smoke rises at right.2015-04-30Photograph of a ritual in progress at a temple-like hall. A seated man in orange-saffron robes, wearing a rudraksha mala and gold bangles, holds his hands together in front of his face in prayer. Beside him, a younger boy in an orange turban and orange-and-gold garments sits with palms joined. In front of them is a stack of yellow turmeric blocks, a small brass lamp with a visible flame, bowls of white flowers and yellow grains, a brass vessel with a ladle, and a kalasha-style pot with mango leaves. Behind, a decorated deity murti is adorned with green and white garlands and pink draping, with a seated figure in orange and red at left.2015-04-30Photograph of a ritual aarti inside a hall at the Sripuram Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam Dasara celebration. A standing priest in orange robes with an orange turban and a marigold garland holds a lit oil lamp toward a golden throne draped in yellow and marigold garlands, with a large portrait behind it of a smiling man in an orange turban and orange robe. Two kneeling men in orange and white attend, one with hands folded in prayer. A woman in white with folded hands and another standing in white are visible at left. Trays of flowers, fruit and small lamps sit on the orange carpet in front, and smoke drifts through the room.2010-10-17A ritual puja in front of a gilded shrine holding a decorated deity murti adorned with white and orange garlands, jewelled ornaments and a green silk cloth on a pink draped platform. In the foreground a man in an orange-red dhoti and shawl, wearing a rudraksha mala and a sandalwood mark on his bare chest, sits cross-legged before a small lit oil lamp and a brass plate of flowers, holding a ritual item to his face. Beside him a young boy in saffron-orange robes, an orange turban and a rudraksha mala sits with hands folded. Behind them on a red and gold throne decorated with multicoloured floral garlands sits another person in orange robes holding a golden staff, with a brass kalasha and offerings on the lower right. The scene suggests an abhishekam or puja setting.2015-04-30Photograph inside a temple hall during a procession ritual. On the left, a priest with a shaved head and orange-saffron cloth raises his hands in salutation beside a decorated palanquin draped with white and pink garlands and red flowers, while a lamp flame burns near the deity murti. A bearded man with long hair wears a saffron robe, rudraksha mala and a gold necklace, and a man in saffron with folded hands stands at right. A tall figure in red-brown robes holds a silver staff and wears a crown-like headband and gold garlands. A gold-trimmed golden palanquin base is visible. Several men in white dhotis stand in the background.2012-06-05A ritual on a stage before a floral backdrop of red, yellow and green garlands. A shaved-headed man in an orange-red dhoti with a rudraksha mala and bare upper body stands centre, hands extended in a blessing gesture, wearing glasses and a sacred ash marking. On the right, a seated figure in a red-orange turban, rudraksha and gold necklaces, and a red garland sits on an ornate gold throne with lion-head armrests, a silver staff beside them. At left a man in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala holds a sacred marking on his face. Foreground offerings include a bunch of bananas, a brass oil lamp with a lit flame, a silver kalasha with flowers, and coloured cloth.2015-04-28A photograph inside a temple shrine where two saffron-robed priests sit before a copper yantra-shaped object on a low table. The man in front, with a rudraksha mala and bare upper body, holds a brass bell in one hand and a lit oil lamp in the other, with a flame visible. The second priest on the left wears orange robes, a gold pendant necklace, glasses and an orange head wrap, his hands folded in prayer. Behind them stand brass lamps, marigold-type garlands in pink, purple and white, and red and gold silk cloth. Brass pots, flowers and leaves sit on the altar. Another orange-clad person appears at the left edge.2009-10-17