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Close photo of a ritual abhishekam at a temple. On the left, a shaved-headed priest in a rust-orange robe and a dense rudraksha mala with large gold beads pours liquid from a glass vessel, with white sacred ash marks on his forehead and arms. In the centre, a young man in a cream-and-gold turban and red robe, wearing a garland of red, yellow and white flowers and gold bangles, holds a yellow cloth. Behind them are floral garlands, gold decorations and a deity murti in ornate colours.

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A photograph of a temple ritual. A young shaven-headed man in an orange saffron robe with a red border and a dark rudraksha-style necklace offers a small yellow cloth bundle with both hands to an older man in a white dhoti and shawl with a cream turban, white tilak marks and a beaded armband, who stands in front of a golden throne-like shrine. Both have white and orange garlands. Behind them stand a white-clad priest with a golden turban and a golden deity murti in the background with marigold and red flower garlands, and a magenta drape. Gold ornamental detailing frames the scene.2013-05-12December 25 20132013-12-25 +1 copiesDecember 25 20132013-12-25December 25 20132013-12-25Priests perform a ritual before a decorated deity murti of a goddess, dressed in a magenta and purple silk sari with gold border and wearing an ornate red and gold crown and layered gold necklaces. Behind her is an arch of red, yellow, white and purple flower garlands. On the left, a priest with bare upper arms marked with white sacred ash, rudraksha bracelets and a long rudraksha mala stretches out to hold a silver bowl and spoon, while another priest in a red cloth and white cap leans in. On the right, a priest in a pink cloth with gold waistband and orange turban holds a yellow kalasha-type pot toward the murti.2013-12-25A photograph of a ritual lighting at night in a temple setting. In the foreground a bare-chested priest with white ash markings on his arms and forehead holds a brass plate of offerings, including a clay dish of ghee or oil, and a brass vessel. Beside him a young man in a rust-red and maroon wrap and a tall maroon turban with a silver emblem, wearing a long white flower garland and gold ornaments, lights a flame with a small lamp. Around them several men in saffron-orange cloth with rudraksha malas and white tilak markings stand watching, and a cameraman is partly visible at the left edge.2013-11-17December 25 20132013-12-25February 19 20152015-02-19 +1 copiesRitual scene before a green and gold draped backdrop with decorated metal deity murtis adorned with yellow and red marigold and rose garlands. In the centre, a golden crown and gold-collared murti receives offerings. On the left, a bare-chested man with white sacred markings holds a golden vessel above, while a second man in white dhoti and cloth beside him pours from a silver container. On the right, a man in an orange turban and pink-red cloth draped over his shoulder holds a golden kalasha-like object toward the murti, with rudraksha bracelets on his wrists. Further right, a gilded murti wears a jewelled crown. The setting suggests abhishekam or padapuja.2013-12-25Photograph of a crowd at a Hindu religious gathering outdoors. In the foreground a bare-chested man with a shaved head and a black-haired bun wears orange-saffron cloth, a long gold-bead necklace, a rudraksha mala and a white floral garland. He leans forward with cupped hands holding a small silver ritual object while a woman with a dark bun in the lower right receives it. Behind him an older man in orange-red cloth wears a brown rudraksha mala, a red and yellow flower garland, and white vibhuti on his forehead, with hands raised near the scene. Onlookers in white and orange saffron shawls press around them, some with palms joined. The setting appears to be an ashram darshan or puja.2012-06-04Two men perform a ritual before a deity murti adorned with garlands of yellow marigolds, red roses and white flowers. The man on the left wears a saffron-orange dhoti, a rudraksha mala, a gold necklace and a gold-coloured bangle, with white ash marks on his forehead and arms. He holds a turmeric-yellow object over the murti. The man on the right wears an orange turban, a pink-and-red shawl over bare shoulders, a red-and-white garland and rudraksha bracelets, and holds a turmeric-coated item in his open hand. The deity behind them is decorated with silver and jewelled ornaments. The scene suggests a padapuja or abhishekam-style offering with turmeric.2013-12-25May 12 20132013-05-12