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A photograph of a temple shrine interior during a devotional ritual. Stone pillars carved with figures frame the scene. Behind, a deity murti is decorated with bright marigold and yellow flower garlands and a red cloth, set on a raised platform. In the centre, a woman in a red-and-gold sari wears a large dark ceremonial headdress and a red-and-gold garland, smiling as she stands before the shrine. A person in a red sari with a white face-paint marking and a rudraksha mala stands at right beside other devotees. Around them, people in white dhotis, orange cloth and red sashes press in, some touching the shrine. The image shows a Pratyakshya Pada Puja style devotional gathering at the Mahashivaratri event in Bengaluru.

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March 07 20162016-03-07Photograph inside a stone temple shrine at dusk, with a seated central figure in a red-and-gold garment and a large garland of yellow and orange flowers draped over the shoulders, wearing a tall dark ornate headdress and a gold necklace. He sits before a deity murti with a golden face and crown, framed by a colourful floral arch of marigolds and garlands. Around him, several people in saffron, orange and red clothes with white forehead markings and ash-smeared faces stand and kneel, one in an orange robe holding a bell, others with white dhotis and bare upper bodies, plus a woman in red with a rudraksha mala. Fruit offerings and a brass vessel sit on the ground, and a crowd of devotees gathers in the foreground.2016-03-07March 07 20162016-03-07March 07 20162016-03-07A photograph inside a stone-pillared shrine with a deity murti and decorated altar, where a central figure in a red-and-gold garment, wearing a large black-and-gold turban, a gold necklace and a yellow-orange flower garland, sits on the altar area smiling. Behind him, a shrine with a mandala-like arch of marigold and yellow garlands frames three murtis, including a seated figure. Around him, devotees wear rudraksha malas and red-orange clothing, with white forehead markings; a woman in blue-green and a child stand nearby, and an older man in white dhoti stands with bare back. Flower offerings, a plate and a small bowl sit on the floor, indicating a puja or padapuja setting. Seven people are visible in the frame, including partly visible ones at the edges.2016-03-07A photograph inside a small temple shrine at dusk, with stone pillars carved with figures on either side and a bell hanging at left. Ornate deity murtis of Shiva and Parvati stand behind a dense arch of marigold and yellow flower garlands. In front, a central figure with a tall black swept-back hair crown, a gold ceremonial necklace, a yellow-and-green flower garland, and a dark reddish-brown shawl stands at a stone platform, the tall stone abhishekam area, with his hands raised in a ritual action. Around him, devotees in white dhotis and orange-saffron robes with white tilaka marks, plus women in saris, gather closely. Several attendants in saffron and orange robes stand behind, one holding a metal kalasha vessel, while a metal pot and offerings sit on the platform. This appears to be a puja or abhishekam at the shrine, with devotees pressing forward.2016-03-07A photograph inside a stone temple shrine during a ritual at Bengaluru Aadheenam. A central figure seated on a dark ceremonial platform wears a black turban, red garment and a long garland of yellow and orange flowers, with gold necklaces, and is surrounded by devotees pouring liquid and offering flowers. Behind them a deity murti stands in a decorated shrine framed by garlands of yellow, orange and purple flowers and a golden arch. A saffron-clad man stands at left near a bell, and women in red and white saris and marked foreheads surround the platform. Carved pillars frame the scene, and a red curtain hangs at right.2016-03-07A temple shrine interior with a golden-lit stone doorway and carved pillars. In the centre, a figure in an ornate black turban and a red-and-gold garment with a yellow marigold garland and a heavy ornamental necklace stands before a shrine altar, with hands extended toward a silver vessel. Behind, a deity murti with a crown and a yellow-and-white garland stands in front of a decorated arch, flanked by orange-robed attendants. Around the figure, devotees in white dhotis and red-bordered shawls with sandalwood marks on their foreheads kneel and touch the altar, while women in red saris and white garments join in. Flower petals and marigolds are scattered on the stone floor. The scene suggests a Mahashivaratri pada puja at a temple. Probable Swamiji is the turbaned central figure, identified by the black turban, the flower garland and the rudraksha-style ornamentation; appearance is consistent but not certain.2016-03-07A photograph inside a temple shrine with carved stone pillars and a deity murti decorated with marigold garlands and yellow-and-red floral arches. A man with a tall, dark, swept-back hairstyle, a white forehead marking, a red-orange cloth and a yellow-and-gold necklace sits centrally on a raised platform, smiling, with a long flower garland. Behind him a woman in orange clothing kneels and touches him while another figure in a white top and orange garment stands nearby. Devotees in white, cream and orange clothes crowd the foreground, some with white marks on their faces and arms, and a woman in red with a rudraksha-style necklace reaches forward. The setting suggests a puja or padapuja ritual. Swamiji (probable) appearance cues: swept-back hair, ornate gold necklace and saffron-coloured clothing, seated at the centre of the ritual.2016-03-07March 07 20162016-03-07A photograph of a ritual at a shrine with stone pillars and carved reliefs. At the centre, a figure with a tall dark swept-back hairstyle and a white forehead band wears a red-and-brown garment and a long garland of red and yellow flowers, holding a silver tray or vessel. Behind, men in saffron-orange dhotis and white-marked bodies attend a large deity murti with decorated garlands and a silver backdrop. Devotees in red, maroon and white clothing crowd the foreground, some with white ash marks and rudraksha beads. Flower petals and offerings are scattered on the floor, with a bell hanging on the left side.2016-03-07March 07 20162016-03-07