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A temple ritual abhishekam scene. Three men in white dhotis and white shawls with gold-tinted ceremonial caps stand around a golden peetha holding a blue-skinned deity murti decorated with white and red-orange garlands. The man at left, bare-chested with a saffron-orange cloth draped over his shoulders and a rudraksha-style cord, pours liquid from a small silver vessel. The man in the centre holds a green coconut toward the murti, and the man at right, wearing white garlands and a white shawl, also steadies the coconut. Incense smoke rises, and a turquoise and pink temple backdrop with a gold frame surrounds the scene.

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A ritual abhishekam is being performed before a deity murti seated on a golden peetha throne with a red velvet back. The murti is blue-bodied, with a white crown, a garland of white jasmine and red flowers, and ornate jewellery. Three men in white dhotis and white turbans stand around it: on the left, a bare-chested man in a saffron-orange cloth pours liquid from a small vessel; in the centre, a man lifts a yellow coconut; on the right, a man wearing white with a gold border and a white flower garland extends a hand holding the coconut. Sacred ash marks are visible on their arms. Incense smoke rises in the background against a yellow and green painted wall.2013-05-12A photograph of a ritual abhishekam in a temple shrine. Three priests stand around a blue-skinned deity murti seated on a golden throne (peetha) with a crown, draped in white and red garlands. The priest on the left wears a rust-orange cloth and holds a small silver vessel aloft, and the priest in the centre in white holds it toward the deity. The priest on the right wears white dhoti and shawl with yellow borders, a white turban, and a white garland, and holds a yellow offering. Incense smoke drifts across the shrine, and a seated devotee is visible in the lower right corner. The shrine is decorated with colourful painted pillars and a gold frame.2013-05-12May 12 20132013-05-12A photograph of a temple abhishekam at a shrine decorated in yellow, red and turquoise. Three men in white ritual dress with white turbans and white-marked foreheads stand around a blue-faced deity murti seated on a gold peetha with a gold arched backdrop. The man on the left holds a metal vessel pouring liquid, the centre man offers a yellow-orange object above the deity, and the man on the right in white dhoti and shawl with a white turban and flower garland lifts a yellow item over the murti as smoke rises. The deity wears white and red flower garlands and jewelled ornaments. A bare-headed man in a saffron/orange wrap stands at far left, and a partly visible devotee sits at lower right.2013-05-12Priestly abhishekam at a temple shrine. A priest in white dhoti and white head cloth pours water from a glass vessel over a yellow coconut held by a second priest in white clothing with white sacred ash markings and a white flower garland. At right, a man in a cream-and-gold turban and white wrap, with a rudraksha bracelet and flower garland, holds the coconut steady. In front, a golden deity murti wearing an orange cloth and ornate silver jewellery sits before a gilded throne with a pink drape. At far left, a bare-chested priest in orange cloth and a mala stands beside. The background shows painted yellow, pink and blue temple decorations.2013-05-12A ceremonial abhishekam scene on a stage before a golden deity murti wearing an orange turban, white-and-gold jewelry and a garland of white jasmine and red flowers. Three men in white dhotis and white shawls with gold-embroidered headwear stand around it. The man on the left in an orange-red robe and rudraksha mala holds a small vessel. The man in the centre holds a saffron-yellow coconut or fruit. The man on the right, wearing a white shawl and garlands, extends his hand to receive it. Ornate gold and pink stage decor frames the background, and audience heads are visible in the foreground.2013-05-12April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copiesMay 12 20132013-05-12Two priests in white dhotis and cream-gold turbans stand either side of a golden throne holding a green silk cloth draped over a deity murti. The murti is a blue-clad figure with a crown, garlanded with white jasmine and red flowers. The priest on the left wears a white shawl with gold border and a white sacred mark on his chest; the priest on the right wears a white garment and a garland, and both have white ash markings on their arms. Ornate gold and red-curtained stage background with a partly visible devotee at the bottom edge.2013-05-12May 12 20132013-05-12A photo of a temple-style ritual in a gilded shrine setting. A seated figure in an orange turban, with a silver face, a gold-and-white garland and gold ornaments, is the central object of worship, appearing to be a deity murti or statue. Three men in white dhotis and white upper cloths with gold borders, garlanded with white jasmine and red flowers, perform the ritual. The man at centre, in a white turban and white cloth, holds a yellow fruit or offering toward the image. A bald man on the left in saffron-orange robes, rudraksha beads and a white forehead mark holds a small vessel. A man on the right in a white turban and white dhoti has a sandalwood or kumkum mark on his arm.2013-05-12April 23 20132013-04-23 +2 copies