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Nithyanandapedia
Night photograph of a large dark-grey Shiva lingam with a tall cylindrical body and horizontal white band, draped with a garland, standing above a broad black yoni-pitha base at the centre of an open-air stepped tank area. A seated figure in saffron-and-red robes sits on an ornate gold throne in front of the lingam, with a red-and-striped cloth spread on the ground. Several people in white dhotis and saffron clothing stand on the stone steps tending brass lamps and ritual vessels. Terraced stone seating is filled with spectators, and the background shows a multi-storey building decorated with coloured lights and flags.

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Night photograph of a large black stone Shiva lingam in a pond-side ritual courtyard at Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam, decorated with string lights, flowers and a rounded arch. A seated figure in a red-and-maroon robe and sash sits on a gold-and-red throne in front of the lingam, with a golden kalasha-like ornament and brass vessels on the red cloth. Two priests in white dhoti and orange-brown cloth attend at either side, one pouring from a vessel. Rows of seated devotees fill the stone steps in the background under bright floodlights, with red flags along the railings and a multi-storey building lit with lights behind. Rudrabhishekam abhishekam ritual in progress. The visible people are the throned figure, two attendants and a few devotees on the steps.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black stone Shiva lingam with a horizontal white marking, rising from a tiered black yoni-pitha base in an outdoor sunken ritual pit. An orange umbrella canopy with a multicoloured fringe shades the base. In front, a seated figure in red garments sits on an ornate gold throne-like seat on a red and striped cloth, with brass lamps and vessels around it. Attendants in white and saffron stand near the base. Tiered red-brown stone seating rises around the pit, with a few people visible. Behind, a multi-storey building is decorated with strings of coloured lights, and floodlights and red flags frame the scene, consistent with a rudrabhishekam.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black Shiva lingam on a tiered pedestal beside a shallow pool, decorated with a red and white garland and a raised golden-yellow canopy. A seated figure in red and orange ritual garments sits on an ornate golden throne with a halo-like back, on a red carpet with a striped runner. Two standing priests in orange-saffron dhotis attend nearby, one holding a brass lamp stand and another with bare torso to the right. Brass kalasha vessels and lamp stands are arranged around the base. Behind is a multi-storey building lit with coloured string lights, and tiered seating with many seated people fills the surrounding amphitheatre. a person: the seated figure on the throne wears red and orange clothing with long hair visible and sits in a position of honour during a rudrabhishekam setting.2016-12-08Night photograph of a large black Shiva lingam set in a pool-like stepped basin, decorated with flower garlands and strings of lights along the surrounding buildings. In the foreground on a golden throne sits a robed figure in orange-red clothing with a golden halo-like backrest, flanked by brass ritual lamps and a striped cloth on the ground. Tiered seating behind is largely empty, with a few scattered figures, and the lingam is topped by small carved figures. Appearance is a person seated on the throne, but identity is uncertain.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night-time Rudrabhishekam at the Vaidya Sarovar pond in an open-air ashram courtyard. A large dark black Shiva lingam stands on a broad black yoni-pitha, with water pouring over its top and a golden canopy above. A seated figure in red garments sits on an ornate golden throne with red cushions in front of the lingam. Two priests in white dhotis stand to the left, another priest in white stands at the right beside brass vessels, and a few more figures are visible on the lingam's upper part. Bright lights illuminate the scene, with tiered red seating filled with scattered people in the background, many with orange flags along the railings. A striped red-and-green mat covers the floor, and strings of coloured lights decorate the building behind.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08Night photograph of an outdoor temple ritual at a large stepped amphitheatre. Dozens of seated devotees fill the tiered stone seating on the left, many in white. In the centre, a tall black Shiva lingam with a white marking and garland stands on a dark pedestal, framed by an arch of marigold-style garlands. Before it, a figure in red and white ritual dress sits on an ornate golden throne-like seat on a striped rug platform with red draping. Brass ritual vessels and lamps stand around the platform, and multicoloured lights and bunting decorate the background. The scene suggests a Rudrabhishekam-style abhishekam ritual, with the seated figure a priest or honoured presenter; the lingam is a visible Shiva lingam. Standing attendants in white dhotis are visible near the platform.2016-12-08December 08 20162016-12-08