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A night-time ritual scene of a man seen from behind, shaved-headed and bare-shouldered, wearing a rust-red dhoti with a gold border and a red-brown shawl, a rudraksha mala around his neck and a small hoop earring. He extends his right arm holding a stick of incense or lamp toward an elaborate wooden peetha-style altar draped with white and red flower garlands and a kalasha-topped crown. Behind the altar stands a deity murti in pink drapery, and at the base are small seated figures with folded hands, garlanded with green leaves and marigold-like offerings. A white and red striped cloth hangs at left. The setting is a puja or aarti at night.

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Night ritual photograph of a priest from behind, bare-shouldered, wearing a rust-red dhoti with gold border and a red rudraksha-style mala, extending his right arm to pour or sprinkle from a small vessel onto a tiered decorated altar. The altar is topped by a kalasha with white jasmine garlands, red flower garlands and a pink cloth; below are gold-and-red ornamented pots, leafy mango-leaf bundles, a pink lotus-shaped base and small painted figures of seated sages with white beards. The background is dark and a red-and-white striped wall is visible at left. The scene suggests an abhishekam or puja offering to a deity murti, though no deity form is clearly identifiable.2014-11-25Night-time photograph of a bare-chested priest in a rust-red dhoti with a gold-bordered cloth over his shoulder, raising a brass oil lamp with a lit flame toward an elaborately decorated altar. The altar is draped with white jasmine and red rose garlands and topped with a gold kalasha-shaped finial, and a gold-framed deity murti stands behind it. Below, offerings in decorated copper pots with green leaves flank two small painted figures of seated sages. A second, younger man with a rudraksha mala stands at the left edge, partly visible. The backdrop is dark, with red and white striped walls at the left.2014-11-25A night-time temple scene where a priest in a rust-orange and gold-bordered dhoti and shawl, with a red-orange rudraksha-style mala around his neck, raises a lit oil lamp toward an ornate deity murti. The murti stands on a tiered wooden pedestal with a pink lotus base and is draped in white and red jasmine-rose garlands, a gold-and-jewelled mukut, and a pink cloth. Two seated carved figures with grey beards in red and gold stand on either side of the base, and small brass bells hang from the pedestal. The priest appears to be performing aarti. Dark sky and a distant lit area frame the scene.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25Night-time photo of a priest in a rust-red dhoti with a gold-bordered shawl raising a lit camphor flame on a brass aarti lamp toward a decorated deity murti. The murti sits on a tiered wooden peetha with a kalasha-like vase, white and red flower garlands, green leaves and lion carvings at the base. Another person in white with a rudraksha mala bends forward at the lower left. Striped red and white wall behind.2014-11-25Night-time temple ritual photographed from behind. A bare-chested priest in a red-and-gold dhoti and gold-bordered shawl, with a rudraksha mala at his neck, stands before an ornate decorated palanquin or shrine platform. The structure is draped in white and red flower garlands, green leaves, a pink cloth, and a gold-ornamented deity murti topped by a crown-like finial with two golden birds. Painted figures and a lion-faced figure decorate the base. The priest holds a plate or offering tray while attending the deity, with a lit temple hall in the background.2014-11-25A night photograph of a ritual at a decorated ceremonial cart or altar. A man seen from behind, shirtless with a red-and-gold cloth draped over his shoulder and a red-and-gold waist cloth, raises his arm to touch a tall golden kalasha-like finial wrapped in white jasmine garlands and red flowers. The structure has carved wooden tiers, a pink draped cloth, and small offering pots decorated with gold and red beads, with leaves and flowers. A seated figure of a sage with a white beard appears at the lower right. Smoke or haze hangs in the dark background, with a small light at left.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25A shaved-headed man in a rust-red dhoti with gold borders and a rust-red shawl stands at night with his back to the camera, raising a lit camphor flame toward an elaborately decorated deity platform. The platform is hung with white jasmine garlands and red flower strings and topped with a crown-like ornament, and holds a brass lamp, a brass bell and a kalasha-style vessel. Flanked by two seated figurines of bearded sages with folded hands, and lush green leaves decorate the base. The scene suggests an evening aarti.2014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25November 25 20142014-11-25