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Nithyanandapedia
A temple shrine interior during a ritual at the Nithyanandeshwara Hindu Temple in Los Angeles. A woman in an orange saree stands at a black stone shivalinga on a tiled platform, pouring from a brass vessel. Behind her a large deity murti with a crown and garlands sits beneath a gold arch, and a small gold figure with an orange headpiece stands nearby. Multicoloured decorated pillars with tassels rise behind the altar. Brass oil lamps, a black Nandi bull statue at left and a brass lamp stand flank the scene. Several devotees sit on the floor in the foreground, some in white and some with hair pinned, facing the shrine.

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November 09 20072007-11-09A priest in an orange saffron dhoti and shawl stands at a stone shivalinga on a tiled platform, pouring from a brass vessel over the lingam. Behind him a deity murti in golden metalwork is framed by a garland arch of red, white, green and yellow flowers. A gold-framed arch and a carved wooden seat stand at left, brass oil lamps flank the platform, and colourful woven pillars with elephant and floral motifs rise at the back. Flower petals and offerings lie on the platform.2007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09A temple puja at a raised tiled platform inside a hall. A standing priest in an orange-saffron dhoti and shawl, with bare shoulders and short hair, holds a brass lamp or ritual vessel toward a black stone shivalinga-like pedestal with a gilded deity murti behind it, decorated with white and green garlands. Multicolored painted pillars with tassels frame the altar, with brass oil lamps, a small brass table and flower offerings in the foreground. Several devotee heads are visible at the bottom edge.2007-11-09A temple ritual in an indoor Hindu shrine. A man in an orange saffron robe with a bare chest and a white-and-red tilak on his forehead stands before a large black stone Nandi bull statue, holding a bell-hung ritual chain of golden bells in one hand and gesturing with the other. He wears a gold necklace and a red shawl draped over his shoulder. Behind him, a shrine displays deity murti decorated with colourful garlands and red-and-gold cloth, and a golden throne with red cushions stands at the right. A woman in a white sari with a red necklace kneels at left, watching. A red rope barrier and a small placard are visible.A photograph inside a temple sanctum showing a devotee in a saffron-orange robe bowing with folded hands before a raised tiled shrine. A tall black stone shivalinga with a large gold-framed deity murti behind it, garlanded with white and red flower strands. Behind the bowing devotee stands a second person in orange robes. Carved gold-framed arches, decorative multicolored pillars with painted motifs, brass oil lamps, a brass kalasha-style vessel, a small wooden stool and brass ritual vessels surround the altar. The bowing person has long dark hair and no visible crown or rudraksha mala, so identity is uncertain.2007-11-09A photograph inside a temple hall showing a man in an orange-saffron robe with long dark hair performing a ritual at a black stone Shiva lingam on a raised tiled platform. Behind him a golden-bronze deity murti is draped in garlands of yellow and white flowers, with a red-orange headpiece. A gold arched frame and tall brass oil lamps stand nearby, and a stone bull statue sits at left. Colourful decorated pillars with tassels frame the scene against dark red drapery. Probable Swamiji wears saffron-orange robes and long swept-back hair, performing abhishekam at the lingam. Another figure in orange headwear stands behind him. Brass puja vessels and flowers sit on the platform.2007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09A figure in orange ochre robes with long dark flowing hair stands at a raised grey-tiled platform, reaching toward a black stone lingam set on a black yoni-type base in a temple shrine. Behind it a gilded deity murti in crown and garland is framed by a gold arch of marigold and green-yellow garlands. Brass oil lamps, a brass kalasha-like vessel, flower offerings, a dark wooden chair, and ornate colourful fabric pillars with elephant and floral motifs surround the scene.2007-11-09A seated figure in orange-saffron robes and long dark hair performs an aarti with a lit oil lamp before a Shiva shrine. Behind a black Shivalingam on a stone yoni base stands a large bronze deity murti of Shiva in a dancing or standing pose, draped in white and yellow flower garlands. A kneeling assistant in saffron clothing stands with hands joined in namaste beside the altar. Ornate gold arches frame the room, and tall decorative pillars wrapped in colourful embroidered cloth with floral and elephant motifs rise at the back. Brass oil lamps, kalasha vessels, and offering plates sit on the tiled platform. The scene shows a temple puja with abhishekam-style offerings and a worship lamp.2007-11-09