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A photograph of a temple ritual in progress. A shaven-headed priest in a rust-brown dhoti and shawl sits cross-legged on a white floor, holding a small bell in his right hand and attending to offerings. Beside him a younger man in saffron-orange cloth wears a rudraksha mala and bead necklaces, with white sacred ash markings on his forehead and arms. Before them stand ornate deity murtis garlanded with red roses, yellow marigolds and green leaves, with a silver bowl, a ladle and metal vessels of offerings on the floor. Colourful painted figures and flower garlands decorate the background. Several onlookers in white and orange sit at the edge of the frame.

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May 17 20132013-05-17May 17 20132013-05-17A ritual puja is performed before a large painted deity murti with four arms holding weapons, its shrine decorated with red and white flower garlands and brass lamps. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and shawl, seen from behind, holds a flaming oil lamp (aarti) toward the deity. Facing him, a young man in a maroon dhoti with white sandalwood markings on his arms and a beaded necklace sits cross-legged, hands folded. Brass vessels, a silver tray with food, a bowl of rice and a kalasha stand on the floor. Seated devotees in white clothes with orange garlands, hands joined in prayer, watch from the left and background.2013-05-17May 15 20132013-05-15A seated puja in a hall with a golden deity murti and gold-trimmed backdrop behind. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in saffron robes with white tripundra markings on his forehead and arms sits beside silver puja vessels and garlands of white flowers. A young person in a maroon wrap and rudraksha mala holds an open book and gestures while speaking. Further back, men in white dhotis and orange scarves sit on the floor, and a tall gold lamp stand with coloured tiers stands at right. Photo credit overlay reads Nithyananda Paramashivam2013-05-15A ritual puja in progress indoors. A shaved-headed man in a rust-brown robe with a rudraksha mala and a heavy gold-and-bead necklace sits cross-legged on a woven mat, hands raised in mudra over brass and silver vessels, a kalasha, flowers and an oil lamp. Beside him a younger attendant in orange robes and a rudraksha mala holds a silver bowl. Both have white sacred ash marks on their foreheads and arms. Behind them, several seated devotees in white clothes wear orange lanyards. Marigold and red flower offerings sit on a gold tray. The figure with the gold necklace may be a person, appearing as a ritual officiant in rust-brown robes and gold ornaments.2013-05-17May 13 20132013-05-13May 13 20132013-05-13 +1 copiesMay 17 20132013-05-17May 17 20132013-05-17A photograph of a Hindu ritual at a yellow-painted fire pit (homa/yagna). A man in an orange-and-gold dhoti and a light orange shawl, with a rudraksha mala and wearing glasses, leans over the fire and sprinkles or offers material from a woven basket into the flames, with a silver vessel beside him. Behind him, deity murti stand decorated with white jasmine garlands, multicoloured flower garlands, gold jewellery and a green silk cloth, set on a pink sequined cloth. A woman in orange sari with floral garlands sits at the left edge. Smoke rises from the fire pit. The man's appearance is not clear enough to confirm identity from visible cues alone.2015-04-30May 17 20132013-05-17