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A temple interior during a Hindu ritual. On a raised tiled platform, a man in orange robes with long dark hair sits on a wooden seat with hands pressed together in namaste, beside a second figure in orange clothing who holds garlands. Behind them stands a large deity murti with a crown, draped in a garland of white and yellow flowers, next to a smaller brass deity figure also garlanded. A black stone shivalinga-style pedestal and brass oil lamps sit in front. A black stone Nandi bull is at left, and colourful woven pillars with decorative motifs frame the stage. Several devotees sit on the floor in the foreground, some in saffron and white clothes, watching the puja.

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Photograph of a temple shrine during a ritual. A figure in orange robes with long dark hair stands with hands folded in anjali, while a second person in a saffron-orange garment holds a silver plate. Behind them stands a bronze deity murti of Nataraja-style dancing form with a garland of flowers arched above, flanked by a brass lamp, kalasha and brass vessels, with colourful striped decorative hangings at the sides. Tiled walls and a dark curtain form the background.2007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09A 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.2007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09A 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.2007-11-09A 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.2007-11-09A photograph inside a temple hall during a ritual at a shivalinga-style black stone lingam on a tiled platform, with a gilded deity murti behind it garlanded in red, yellow and green flowers and framed by a decorated arch of colourful textile panels. A long-haired man in an orange-saffron robe with rudraksha beads sits on a low seat with one arm raised in blessing, while a second man in an orange-and-white robe sits beside him. Brass oil lamps stand on both sides, a black Nandi bull is at left, and a few seated devotees are visible at the bottom edge. The long-haired figure in saffron and beads matches the a person cues (probable), presiding as the central officiant at the inauguration-style puja.2007-11-09A temple sanctum photograph showing a priest in saffron-orange robes and a second attendant in brown clothing performing an aarti with a lamp before a large Shiva lingam on a black base. Behind the lingam stands a golden-bodied deity murti with a crown and garland, flanked by a golden arch, a brass kalasha, a small brass lamp and offerings on a tiled platform. Colourful striped decorative pillars and garlands of white and orange flowers frame the altar. Two people are physically present; the figures are otherwise statues and murtis.2007-11-09A temple interior during preparation for inauguration, with several deity murtis decorated with garlands in red, yellow and orange flowers. Hanging striped cloth-and-garland columns frame a central shrine. A priest in a saffron/orange robe kneels at a low platform, performing a puja and guiding a young boy in a red-striped garment. Nearby, women in white and orange saris sit in devotional postures. A large black stone nandi bull sits in the foreground beside a brass kalasha-style vessel and offering plates. Gold-framed arches and oil lamps surround the shrine area.Photograph of a temple inauguration ceremony in a hall with black draped walls and colourful woven garlands hanging from above. On a raised dais a central deity murti stands beside a smaller figure, with a black stone shivalinga-style pedestal and brass lamps and vessels. A figure in orange robes sits in front of the deity, seated beside another person in orange, performing a puja. Rows of seated devotees in saris and orange and red clothing face the altar, and a gold arched frame and additional deity figures stand at the sides. A large brass pot is at left.2007-11-09November 09 20072007-11-09Indoor temple hall during a puja with a seated audience on the floor in the foreground. Centre left, a golden deity murti seated on a golden throne with a gold crown, white and red garlands and a white beaded necklace is worshipped by a man in orange clothes and a woman in yellow. Right, a golden arch frames three deity murtis draped in pink and magenta cloth and garlands. A standing man in orange with a rudraksha-style necklace speaks into a microphone to the right. Brass bells hang on the wall and a tiger-skin-patterned seat sits at right. Left, a gold figure stands in a niche beside a gold arch. Many devotees in white, pink and dark clothing sit cross-legged before the altar.2009-11-09