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A temple ritual in progress before a deity murti decorated with marigold and yellow garlands, with a shrine lit by brass oil lamps and a smoking fire pit in front. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a saffron cloth over his shoulder pours or offers from a vessel at the central altar. Around him, several priests in white dhotis stand and sit, some holding microphones. Rows of seated devotees, many with shaved heads or bare shoulders, face the shrine in the foreground. On the right, a seated figure in a red-and-maroon shawl and a maroon turban sits on a golden chair, and a photographer in white kneels beside him with a camera. A pillar wrapped in gold cloth and hanging yellow streamers frame the scene.

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Night ritual at an outdoor temple-style mandap decorated with marigold garlands and hanging yellow and green cloth. Behind a shrine containing a deity murti draped in flower garlands, priests in white dhoti and shawl perform a puja, one holding an offering. In the foreground, a large seated crowd faces the stage. On the right, a seated figure in orange and red turban and shawl sits on a gold-and-maroon throne beside a tall gold-topped standard; a photographer stands nearby. Several people in white and saffron clothing and a woman in green saree sit among the audience. The person on the throne shows some appearance cues consistent with a person candidate, but the identification is uncertain.2016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07Night-time outdoor ritual at a temple-style pavilion with a fire burning on a stone platform before a decorated deity murti garlanded with marigolds and red flowers. Priests in white dhotis and bare-shouldered attire perform the fire rite, and a kalasha and brass lamps stand nearby. A seated figure in a red-and-saffron turban and red-orange shawl sits on an ornate gold-framed throne beneath a yellow-and-red canopy; he may be a person by appearance, so a person is set to unsure. Devotees in white and pastel clothing sit on the red-carpeted ground in a large crowd, and photographers stand at the edges. A yellow-and-red festoon hangs above the pavilion.2016-12-07Night outdoor ritual before a decorated shrine canopy with yellow valance, hanging tassels and a deity murti garlanded in red and yellow flowers. A fire burns in a homa pit in front of the shrine, with brass lamps arranged nearby. Several men in white dhotis, some bare-chested, perform the rite, one raising an arm toward the flames. On a raised red-carpeted platform at right, a seated man in red garments and a red head wrap sits on an ornate gold-and-maroon throne beside a tall gold parasol with a multicoloured fringe; a photographer and a standing attendant in white are nearby. A large crowd of devotees sits in the foreground, many in white and yellow, with women in green and pink.2016-12-07A temple ritual photograph in front of a shrine decorated with garlands of marigolds and roses. Two large deity figures stand behind, one with a trident and one in ornate gold jewellery, flanked by a standing figure in a rust-red dhoti holding a garland. At the centre, a flower-garlanded altar holds a kalasha and oil lamps. In the foreground, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a shaved-headed attendant hold up a lit oil lamp for aarti while others sit with joined hands. Smoke drifts across the scene and devotees watch from below. Gold-coloured curtains frame the scene.2016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07Night-time homa at an open pavilion. In the foreground, a shirtless priest in white dhoti with a gold-bordered yellow cloth and a red tilak sits cross-legged before a wooden fire altar, holding a ladle over the fire. Beside him, other priests in white and saffron-orange cloths sit on mats. Smoke rises from the fire pit, which holds brass vessels, lit oil lamps, rice offerings and red flower petals. To the right, a figure with a red-and-orange turban, a long rudraksha mala and a brown-and-red robe sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne. Behind him, a screen shows a colourful image. Strings of lamps hang overhead, and deity murtis draped in garlands stand at the left.2016-12-07Large ritual gathering seated on the ground facing a raised shrine decorated with marigold and rose garlands. Several bare-chested priests in white dhotis and saffron-and-white cloth stand at the altar, one holding a ritual object over a fire pit with flames. Dozens of devotees in beige or cream clothing sit in rows with their backs to the camera. Behind the altar stand deity murtis draped in garlands, and gold-framed ceremonial lamps and a kalasha flank the shrine. On the right, a man in an ornate red and gold shawl and saffron-orange turban sits on a gold throne with a red cushion, a person candidate, with a rudraksha-style garland and a photographer nearby. Cues are limited, so identity is uncertain.2016-12-07December 07 20162016-12-07Night outdoor ritual before a decorated shrine with a large deity murti garlanded in red and orange flowers, and a fire pit burning in front of it. Priests in white dhotis perform the homa while a bare-chested priest in ochre cloth tends the offering. On the right, a man with a red-orange turban and saffron-red shawl sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne beneath a yellow and multicolour canopy; a cameraman and a white-clad attendant stand nearby. A large crowd of devotees sits on the red-carpeted ground, some in white and pink saris, and a brass oil lamp stands at the front. Swamiji (probable) is seated on the throne wearing the turban and shawl.2016-12-07Night outdoor homa or yagna at a covered open-air pavilion. A fire blazes in front of a decorated shrine with a deity murti garlanded in marigolds and red flowers, flanked by ornate colourful hangings and tassels. A shirtless priest in white dhoti pours offerings toward the flames. A seated figure in saffron-orange garments and a red turban sits on a gold and red throne at right, with a yellow-and-red parasol above. Around the fire, several white-clad priests assist, and a large seated crowd of devotees in white, saffron and green fills the foreground, with a cameraman at right.2016-12-07