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Photograph of a Hindu temple hall during a Mahalakshmi puja. Gold-framed shrines hold deity murtis: a large seated goddess figure at centre, gold-crowned and draped in garlands and pearl necklaces, with smaller deity murtis on the left and a trio of murtis in garlands on a raised gold altar at right. A standing woman in an orange sari with a microphone addresses the seated audience, and a woman in orange sits on a tiger-striped seat at right. Many devotees sit on the floor in saris and white and red kurtas. Hanging brass bells and a gold curtain frame the scene.

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November 09 20092009-11-09Photograph of a temple hall during an evening puja with a large seated crowd facing the altar. Several golden arches frame richly decorated deity murtis draped in garlands of flowers. At the centre, a figure in saffron-orange robes stands before the altar near a lit lamp and offerings. To the left, a row of small orange-clad figures is arranged on a stand, and a woman in an orange sari tends the area. Audience members in white and pastel clothing sit on the floor, many with their heads bowed in devotion. A framed portrait hangs on the dark backdrop above, and track lighting illuminates the room.2009-10-17A photograph of a temple hall during a puja before an altar with gold-framed shrines holding deity murtis draped in garlands. A standing priest in orange robes, holding a white fan-like chamara, faces the altar near a brass oil lamp. Seated figures in orange and saffron clothing are at the right-hand shrine. A framed portrait hangs on the black backdrop. A large seated crowd in the foreground, numbering roughly several dozen, watches in front of the platform, with more people visible across the hall.2009-11-09A large crowd of devotees sits on the floor facing a shrine in a bright hall with dark drapes. Center stage, a priest in orange robes stands behind a decorated altar with an ornate golden arch and a circular golden halo frame. Elaborately adorned deity murti, dressed in red and gold with garlands, sit on the altar flanked by brass oil lamps. A framed portrait hangs on the dark backdrop above. Devotees wear saris and kurtas in red, yellow, green, orange and white. On the right, a woman in blue stands beside a chair draped in orange cloth. Stacked orange-draped items and a white curtain appear at the left edge.2009-10-18November 09 20092009-11-09Indoor temple hall with a dark backdrop and gold-framed shrines holding deity murtis decorated with red and white garlands. In the centre, a standing priest in orange robes performs a ritual at the altar, while a woman in an orange sari at the left edge holds a tray and another woman in a yellow sari stands at the right edge. A seated audience of devotees in white, orange, red and blue clothing sits on the floor facing the shrines, many with their backs to the camera. A framed portrait hangs on the upper wall. The room is lit by overhead ceiling lights.2009-10-17A photograph of a temple hall with a large seated audience filling the floor in front of a dark backdrop. Three deity murtis stand in gilded arched frames, one with a crown and garlands, the central figure seated with red and gold drapery and floral garlands, and a standing figure on the left. A woman in white stands at the central altar with a microphone, facing the seated devotees. Brass oil lamps stand on either side of the altar. A framed portrait hangs at the top, and an orange-clad figure sits at the right edge. Several people in white and pastel saris and kurtas sit with folded hands.2009-10-18A photograph of a large hall where a seated congregation faces a shrine lined with gilded arches and decorated deity murtis draped in garlands and orange and red cloth. Many people sit on the floor in saffron, white, pink, blue and green clothing, with some elders on chairs at the front and a woman in a yellow sari with folded hands at the right. Rows of small white figures and brass vessels stand along the right side, a green cloth covers a table near the front, and dark drapes frame the stage.2009-10-18A large crowd of devotees sits on the floor facing an altar in a hall with dark drapes and gold arches. Several deity murtis adorned with flower garlands stand on the altar, flanked by golden frames and a framed portrait on the back wall. A figure in a saffron-orange robe stands at the centre of the altar, near a brass lamp, while a video camera on a tripod records the scene. Many attendees wear white kurtas, saris and casual clothing, and a woman in a green sari is seated at the right near the altar. A ritual lamp and flowers are arranged in front of the deities.2009-10-17November 09 20092009-11-09November 09 20092009-11-09Photo of an abhishekam at a temple hall with a dark backdrop and gold arches. On the central raised platform, priests in orange robes stand beside deity murtis adorned with white and red garlands and a shivalinga. A priest in orange stands at the left arch, and another in orange stands at the right beside a dark stone murti. A woman in a white sari with a gold border stands at the right foreground near the platform, facing the altar. A framed portrait of a bearded saint in red hangs above the altar, labelled with a printed name. Seated devotees in white and dark clothing fill the lower foreground, with a brass oil lamp standing near the platform. Approximately 40 people are visible.2009-10-17