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Night-time outdoor ritual at a large temple-style stage beside a giant black Shiva lingam decorated with a white tripundra and colourful garlands. Attendants in white dhotis stand near the platform, bright floodlights illuminate the scene, and multicoloured striped mats cover the stage. Tiered stone steps on the left hold a large seated audience, mostly dressed in white, and a building with coloured lights rises behind. Brass ritual implements and kalashas stand on the platform, consistent with a Rudrabhishekam.

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Night view of a large outdoor Rudrabhishekam ritual at the Vaidya Sarovar area, centred on a tall black Shiva lingam with a vertical white tripundra marking and a gold-edged top, garlanded with a flower string. In front stands an ornate gold-and-red throne holding a seated figure in a red shawl and white clothing, with a small gold umbrella over the lingam; a priest in white dhoti stands beside the stage and two attendants in white with a kalasha nearby. Brightly coloured striped rugs cover the stage. Tiered steps on the left are filled with seated devotees in white and light clothing, and floodlights and strings of coloured lights decorate the scene.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night photograph of a Rudrabhishekam at a large black Shiva lingam with white horizontal markings, the top of which a person in white stands upon while a ladder rises beside it. A seated figure in red garments and a gold-framed throne with a tiger-patterned cushion sits at the base. Several white-clad priests in saffron and orange shawls attend the lingam and an oil lamp stand. Bright floodlights illuminate the scene while a crowd of dozens of spectators sits on tiered red seating to the right beneath flags and string lights. Lit decorative buildings and a row of small stone lingams appear at the left.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black Shiva lingam with a white horizontal tripundra band, set on a tiered black yoni-pitha base at an outdoor ritual ground. A seated figure in red robes sits on a golden throne with an ornate gold backrest, a gold umbrella-like canopy above, and a multicoloured striped mat in the foreground with brass pots and gold ritual vessels. Two priests in white dhotis stand beside the platform. On the right, a tiered stand of seated devotees watches under strings of lights and red flags. Glowing spotlights light the scene and a wall of lamps lines the background.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black Ananda Lingam, a tall polished black linga on a broad black yoni-pitha base, with a red-and-white marking and a garland of flowers around its middle. Workers in white and saffron clothing stand on a metal staircase beside it. In front, a seated figure in red and saffron robes sits on an ornate gold throne on a red carpet with a striped runner, flanked by brass ritual vessels and a brass lamp stand. Rows of spectators sit in tiered seating on both sides, and rows of small Shiva lingas are arranged on the left steps. Strong stage lights and strings of colourful lights decorate the scene, with saffron flags along the edges.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night photograph of a large black Shiva lingam with white horizontal tripundra bands and a red-and-white flower garland, set on a black yoni-pitha base at an outdoor ritual ground. A seated figure in a red shawl and red cloth sits on an ornate gold throne with a gold halo-style backrest, facing the lingam; a gold kalasha-like brass vessel and brass stands flank the platform. Several priests in orange and maroon dhotis attend near the lingam, one holding a garland. Bright floodlights, a red-and-multicolour striped mat in front, and red flags and fairy lights frame a tiered stand where a large audience sits in white and colourful clothes. A small figure in orange stands atop the lingam. a person is the seated figure on the throne, identified by the gold throne and presentation, though the face is not visible enough for certainty. The crowd is in the tens to hundreds.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black stone Shiva lingam with a gold-tinted upper section and a yellow garland draped over it, set on a tiered black base. A metal staircase with railings climbs beside it. To the right, a figure seated on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion sits on a red-draped platform, flanked by gold-finished ritual stands. Tiered stone steps behind are filled with seated devotees in white and light clothing, and a wall is strung with lights. Several white-clad people stand near the base and the stairs. Colourful striped cloth canopies hang above the throne area.2016-12-12Night photograph of a large black Shiva lingam at an outdoor ritual site, with white horizontal tripundra stripes on its face and a garland of flowers around its upper part. A person in a light pink robe sits cross-legged on a gold-and-red throne at the base, with a gold peacock-style backrest and a red cushion, under a multicoloured canopy. Priests in orange and white dhotis stand and sit around the platform, some holding ceremonial items. Tiered seating with many seated devotees fills the right side, flanked by lit string lights, red flags and a white pavilion.2016-12-08Night photograph of an outdoor temple ritual at a large stepped amphitheatre. Dozens of seated devotees fill the tiered stone seating on the left, many in white. In the centre, a tall black Shiva lingam with a white marking and garland stands on a dark pedestal, framed by an arch of marigold-style garlands. Before it, a figure in red and white ritual dress sits on an ornate golden throne-like seat on a striped rug platform with red draping. Brass ritual vessels and lamps stand around the platform, and multicoloured lights and bunting decorate the background. The scene suggests a Rudrabhishekam-style abhishekam ritual, with the seated figure a priest or honoured presenter; the lingam is a visible Shiva lingam. Standing attendants in white dhotis are visible near the platform.2016-12-08