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A photograph of a temple puja in progress. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold border sits cross-legged and performs a ritual, his arm extended toward a lit oil lamp and a small silver vessel. Behind him a large deity figure is adorned with red roses and garlands, a crown, a rudraksha-style mala and a gold necklace, seated in front of a yellow silk backdrop with gold-framed panels. Silver pots, a brass bowl and offerings sit on the altar in front. Visible white markings decorate the priest's arm and chest.

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August 08 20112011-08-08August 08 20112011-08-08Photo of a temple ritual in a gilded shrine. In the left foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested with a gold chain, sits and pours liquid from a silver vessel toward a central figure. The central figure is a seated statue in saffron-orange robes, an orange turban, a beaded necklace and a garland of yellow and red flowers. Behind it stand a tall golden deity murti with a red cloth backdrop, a yellow and red flower garland hung with large yellow beads, and a white draped cloth on the right. Brass lamps, silver bowls and a metal tray with flowers sit on the altar in front.2011-01-17A temple puja in progress before a deity murti dressed in white silk and draped with red and yellow flower garlands, with red flower arrangements and a gold prabhavali behind it. A bald priest bent forward in a white dhoti with a yellow-and-orange shawl and a rudraksha mala holds a lit camphor flame on a plate toward the deity. Another priest stands behind him on the right in a white dhoti and red garment, and a third priest with a bare torso holds a tray at the left edge. Brass lamps, a bell and flower-strewn offerings sit on the altar in the foreground.2018-03-02A photograph of an outdoor puja at a temple shrine. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold pendant and beaded necklace sits cross-legged on a raised stone platform, holding a lit oil lamp aloft toward a statue. Beside him are brass vessels, a bell-shaped kalasha, a brass lamp stand, a silver bowl of food and small oil lamps. To the right stands a blue-clad sculpted figure with a blue turban, raised hand and heavy gold necklace, draped in marigold and dark red flower garlands. Behind are a saffron cloth, carved stone pillars and a green garden. Smoke rises in the air. No other physical people are visible.2010-12-26June 12 20102010-06-12December 26 20102010-12-26March 02 20182018-03-02A photograph of a temple puja setting. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a gold-beaded necklace sits cross-legged on a dark platform, eyes closed, chanting, while his hands rest over brass and steel vessels, a silver bowl, a small glass and an oil lamp. Beside him stands a white statue of a sage with a saffron-orange robe, a saffron turban, a rudraksha mala and a raised palm. Behind them hang a garland of yellow and orange marigolds, an embroidered silver-and-black ornamental backdrop and a saffron cloth. The scene suggests a padapuja offering ritual.2011-01-17A photograph of a priest performing aarti before a deity murti decorated with marigold and red flower garlands. The priest, bare-chested and wearing a white dhoti with a gold-bordered shawl over his shoulder, leans forward holding a brass lamp with several burning flames toward the figure. He wears a rudraksha mala and bangles and has a shaved head. The murti is framed by an ornate gold arch with floral motifs, set against a red cloth draped over a platform heaped with flowers. Small brass lamps and a flower-covered altar fill the foreground, and smoke rises from the flames.2018-03-02August 08 20112011-08-08A ritual scene in a temple hall during a homa or fire ceremony. A priest seated at left, bare-chested with a blue and gold cloth around his waist, a blue head wrap, a gold beaded necklace and bangles, holds a silver vessel and pours or offers over a flaming fire pit. In front of him, a golden-framed altar or throne holds a central fire and is draped with yellow, red and white flower garlands. Two standing priests in white dhoti and cream shawls with white and yellow garlands stand behind, hands folded. Offerings of yellow marigold petals, red flower petals, fruit and brass plates sit on the pit's tiered platform. Brass lamps and vessels line the background.2015-10-18