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Close view of an abhishekam being performed on two metal deity murtis. A person in orange-saffron robes with a thick gold-bead necklace and gold bangle pours milk from a silver kalasha-style vessel over the head of a small standing deity murti in orange cloth, its face and crown whitened with milk. To the right, a taller standing murti in orange drapery holding a staff is also coated with white liquid. The orange robes and white milk dominate the frame.

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A priest in orange saffron robes with a gold-beaded necklace and a small framed portrait pendant stands at left, holding a silver plate with red kumkum powder. He applies a mark to the forehead of a white-coated stone deity murti with a crown, holding a mace, with a second white-painted figure in orange drapery to the right. Pouring or abhishekam traces run down the statues. Plain stone architecture stands in the background. No other people are visible.2011-10-07October 07 20112011-10-07A photograph of an abhishekam being performed on a small gold-and-white deity murti. Water pours from a large silver vessel held by a man in an orange dhoti and orange shawl with gold borders, while a second priest in white dhoti with gold border and bracelets gently cleanses the figure with his hands. Behind them stands a larger golden deity statue holding a staff, draped in orange cloth. The water splashes over the idol's ornate crown and face.2011-10-07A photograph of a white-painted metal deity murti being bathed in milk-like abhishekam. A hand in a white pot pours liquid down the figure, which is dripping white over its tall crown, arms and orange-draped body. The statue wears an orange dhoti-like cloth and bronze armour, holds a small ritual object and a staff. Another bronze figure in orange cloth with a crown stands to the left. Blurred background with a red and white backdrop.2011-10-07November 01 20112011-11-01A photograph of a white-painted deity murti being anointed during a ritual at a Dasara celebration. A person in a red garment with gold armbands and a gold-beaded garland reaches in from the left with a hand dipping into a silver tray, pouring or smearing white liquid over the statue's head. The murti holds a trident and a staff, and wears a pale garland of pink and white flowers. Behind it, a shaved-headed man in white with a tilak stands softly out of focus against a large orange backdrop with blue Kannada-style lettering.2010-10-17A photograph of an abhishekam being performed on a bronze deity murti. A person's hands, adorned with a beaded bracelet and gold bangle, pour white milk from a pot onto a tall standing bronze figure draped in orange cloth, wearing a tiered crown and ornamented arm bands. The milk streams down the figure and over the orange cloth, and a second orange-draped bronze figure stands partly visible at the left edge. The setting is an outdoor temple space with a blurred warm background.2011-10-07October 17 20102010-10-17A photograph of an abhishekam being performed on a metal deity murti with a pitha-style base. A hand holds a silver vessel with a long twisted handle, pouring milk over the murti's feet and base. Two standing metal deity figures in orange-saffron draped garments stand on either side, one with bangles and a necklace, the other wearing a crown-like headdress, earrings and a long gold necklace. No living people are visible apart from the single hand.2011-10-07A priest in an orange saffron dhoti and shawl pours white powder from a silver plate over a group of three white deity murtis on a stone pedestal. The central figure is a white-draped deity flanked by two smaller figures in red and maroon sarees with pointed crowns. Behind them a gold-coloured vessel and a red-draped altar with flower garlands are visible. The priest's arm, bangle and cloth are prominent in the foreground. The setting appears to be a temple abhishekam or powder-anointing ritual.2010-11-12October 17 20102010-10-17A shaved-headed priest in orange saffron robes and a gold necklace pours liquid from a gold vessel over a group of white-coated deity murtis on a wooden base. The murtis appear to be a central figure flanked by two smaller attendants, all coated in white paste with garlands and offerings at their feet. Behind them, a seated figure in orange robes sits before a gold and red throne draped with garlands of yellow and purple flowers, with brass lamps standing at the sides. Metal bowls rest on the stone platform in the foreground, and the scene suggests abhishekam ritual bathing.2010-11-12 +1 copies