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A photograph of a ritual abhishekam in progress at close range. A person seen from behind wears a rust-red wrap and has long black dreadlocked hair falling down the back, with a beaded bracelet on the wrist. They pour a fine white powder or milk-white substance from a round silver plate with a radiating sunburst design onto a mound of the same white material. Beside them stands a figure in an ornate dress of bronze-gold brocade with a red-and-gold patterned skirt, wearing heavy jewelled necklaces, shoulder ornaments and gold armlets. Strands of red and white flower garlands fill the background. The person pouring is partially visible; the decorated figure may be a murti or a costumed representation.

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A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a temple, with a long-haired figure in a rust-orange wrap and dhoti pouring white powder or grains from a silver vessel onto a deity murti. The murti is adorned with a jewelled bodice in gold and crimson, gem-studded ornaments and a golden arm band, against a backdrop of dense red, yellow and white flower garlands. The pouring figure wears a rudraksha bracelet and a dark, long plaited hairstyle.2017-02-24A photograph of a ritual at a temple-like setting decorated with garlands of red, white and yellow flowers. In the foreground a long-haired figure with dreadlocks, wearing a rust-orange wrap and orange cloth, pours white powder from a silver plate onto a mound of white powder. Beside them stands a richly adorned deity murti with gold and jewelled crown, necklaces and armbands, dressed in a red-gold brocade blouse and golden-patterned skirt. The scene suggests abhishekam or ritual offering with decorative ornamentation in gold and silver tones.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A photograph of a Shiva lingam being bathed with white liquid poured from a conch-shaped vessel held by a figure in the foreground. The figure wears an orange-rust robe, a matching orange head wrap, a rudraksha bracelet and gold bangles, and has long dreadlocked hair falling down the back. Behind the lingam stands a large deity murti with gold arms and jewelled ornaments, draped in a rust and gold sari-like garment, with garlands of yellow, red and white flowers framing the background. The scene suggests an abhishekam, a ritual bathing of the lingam. The image is a stock-style temple photo, and the visible figure is not clearly identifiable as a specific person.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A photo of a ritual abhishekam at night. A figure with long dark hair wrapped in a rust-red turban and rust-red cloth, with rudraksha beads on the arm, pours white powder from a large golden ceremonial plate onto a white heap at the base of a deity murti. The murti wears gold ornaments and an embellished red-and-gold sari-style garment; gold hands and jewelled armlets are visible. Behind is a backdrop of colourful flower garlands in yellow, red, and green. The figure's identity cannot be confirmed from appearance, so they are described by role as the officiating priest.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A figure with long dark locks, a saffron-orange wrap and bare upper back stands at left, pouring white powder over a shivalinga-like stone at a dark pedestal. The figure wears a coral-red headband, and bracelets on the raised arm. Behind, a deity murti in gold ornaments, jewelled crown and maroon-gold silk stands beside a garlanded altar draped with yellow, white and red flowers. A small oil lamp flame is visible at lower right. Powder covers the base of the lingam in a heap. The setting suggests an abhishekam with flowers and lamps.2017-02-24February 24 20172017-02-24A ritual abhishekam in a temple setting: a man with long dreadlocked hair, a rust-red headband, and a rust-red draped cloth over bare shoulders pours a white substance from a large round silver vessel over a deity murti. The murti is adorned with gold jewellery, jewelled necklaces, and a rust and gold brocade garment. Garlands of yellow and red flowers frame the scene, and a brass oil lamp with a lit flame sits in the lower right. Another attendant in rust-red stands beside the murti, and a devotee's head is visible in the foreground.2017-02-24A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a Shiva lingam, with white powder or substance being poured over the stone form. A man stands at left with long dark braided hair under a rust-red turban, wearing a rust-red wrap, gold armband and beaded bracelets, his arm extended over the lingam. At right, a figure in a pink-and-gold embellished garment with heavy crystal-studded jewelled ornaments and a gold armlet stands beside the lingam. Behind them are golden hands, a glittering deity murti and floral garlands, with a small oil lamp flame at lower right.2017-02-24