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Photograph of a ritual at a stepped water tank with red and white banded walls. In the foreground, a crowd of devotees in white clothes stands waist-deep in water with hands folded in namaste. On the left, a figure in orange robes bends low over a black stone platform holding a brass ritual object, with small brass lamps and offerings nearby. On the right, a decorated palanquin or ratha draped with orange, yellow and purple flower garlands is attended by a person in red-orange clothing. Devotees on the steps and in the water watch the ceremony, which appears to be a water-based puja or abhishekam.

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Outdoor ritual at a temple tank with white and red striped stone steps. A figure in saffron-orange robes stands at the left edge on a black stone platform near a kalasha-style brass vessel, while another saffron-robed figure stands waist-deep in water at center, arm raised. Devotees in white and light clothing stand in the water and along the edges, many with hands folded in namaskar. On the right, a decorated ratha/palanquin is draped with white and yellow marigold garlands, purple flowers and banana-leaf decorations, with a saffron-clad attendant standing beside it. Offerings and brass items sit on the platform in the foreground, and a rudra-style abhishekam-type water rite appears to be underway.2009-07-08A photograph of a floating temple-style float decorated with garlands of white, yellow, orange and purple flowers and green leaves, with a golden canopy and trident finial, sitting in water. A standing man in saffron-orange robes stands on the float holding a small lamp or offering dish. Around the float, many people stand waist-deep in water, some in saffron robes and others in white with yellow shawls, some holding brass offering trays and plates with flowers. Striped stepped tiers rise behind the water and palm trees appear in the background. The orange-robed figure has short hair and no crown, turban or rudraksha mala visible, so his identity is uncertain.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated boat-shaped ratha or palanquin set in a water tank with white and red striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the decorated platform, bending toward offerings on brass plates held by saffron-robed attendants wading in the water. Marigold and jasmine garlands in orange, yellow and white decorate the structure. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand waist-deep in the water on the left, some with hands folded, and onlookers line the edge in the lower right. A brass kalasha and a plate of offerings sit at the front corner. The page identifies this as a theppotsavam event at Bidadi temple.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A flower-decorated wooden float with garlands of white jasmine, orange and red blossoms, purple flowers and green leaves stands in a shallow water tank beside striped red-and-white walls. A barefoot man in a saffron-orange robe stands on the float, holding a basket. Around it, saffron-robed priests and devotees wade in the water, some holding brass plates, a silver kalasha-like vessel and offerings, while others in white and yellow garments stand with hands folded. This appears to be a theppotsavam float-boat ritual in water. Several onlookers stand along the edge, and a kalasha with flowers rests on the pool edge at left.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A photograph of a floating temple-style boat decorated with garlands of white jasmine, orange and yellow marigolds, purple flowers and green palm fronds, set in a shallow pool beside a red-and-white striped wall. A man in an orange robe and orange shawl stands on the boat's red-draped deck, leaning forward to receive offerings. Several devotees wearing orange and yellow garments stand waist-deep in the water, holding brass plates and kneeling near the boat's edge, with a brass kalasha-style vessel and a plate of offerings at the lower edge. Onlookers line the pool's edge, some in white and some in saffron. This appears to be a theppotsavam float ceremony.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated wooden float in shallow water at a temple tank, with red-and-white striped stepped walls behind. A standing figure in orange robes, with long dark hair and bare arms, stands on the float beside an ornate gold-and-red throne heaped with garlands of white, orange and yellow blossoms. Several people in saffron and orange robes wade around the float holding brass plates and a gold kalasha-shaped vessel, and devotees in white and yellow shawls stand in the water, some with hands raised in prayer. The float is decorated with striped cloth, palm fronds and purple flowers. This appears to be a theppotsavam float procession.2009-07-08Outdoor photograph of a temple tank ceremony with a red-and-white striped stepped ghat behind a crowd standing in shallow water. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and sleeveless top stands on a flower-decorated raised platform, one arm extended, holding a woven basket of petals. Garlands of orange, yellow, pink and white flowers with purple blooms and green palm leaves decorate the platform and a golden canopy. In the foreground, men in orange robes lift brass plates of offerings and a tiered golden kalasha-like vessel, while devotees with folded hands look on. Scattered petals float on the water. Approximately thirty people are visible.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated barge-like float (theppotsavam style) set in a shallow water tank with red-and-white striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the float, leaning forward to scatter something from a basket, surrounded by garlands of marigolds, roses and purple flowers and a pale canopy. Several people wade in the water in orange robes and white clothing, some holding brass plates, a kalasha-like vessel and a lamp. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand along the edge with hands folded in namaskar, and a brass lamp stand with flower petals sits on the stone edge at left. The setting suggests a temple tank ceremony.2009-07-08January 02 20092009-01-02