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Outdoor puja under a large banyan tree beside a golden-painted deity murti of Dakshinamurti draped in flower garlands and a white cloth. A man with long dark hair, wearing a white and gold shawl and a multicoloured garland, stands at right ringing a handbell and gesturing toward an offering tray of fruit, flowers and brass vessels spread on a white cloth. Around him a large seated crowd in white clothing, many with hands folded in prayer, sits on a raised stone-edged platform. Standing devotees and camera operators with tripods are visible in the background among the trees. Stone snake sculptures decorated with marigolds sit at left. Some seated people wear rudraksha malas. The mood is devotional and ceremonial.

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Outdoor puja beneath a large banyan-type tree. At the left, a decorated stone-and-mosaic dais holds a garlanded Dakshinamurti-style deity murti in white and gold with a flowered arch around it. In the centre, a long line of seated devotees in white clothes sits on the ground facing a standing man in a white and gold robe with long dark hair, a flower garland and a raised hand, addressing the gathering. Before the group, a white cloth holds a plate with a cake, brass vessels and a flower-decorated tray. Onlookers and a cameraman stand behind, some in orange garments.2006-01-01Outdoor photo beneath a large banyan tree at a sacred shrine. On the left, a decorated deity murti of Dakshinamurti sits on a golden base, draped in garlands of marigold and red flowers, with a stone-lined ledge in front. Before it, a seated crowd of about 60 devotees in white ritual clothes, many with white malas, sits on a sandy ground, several with hands joined in prayer. In the foreground a brass tray holds a cake-like offering, brass vessels and lamps on a white cloth. On the right, a man with long dark hair wears a white garment with a green-and-red floral garland and a golden-trimmed cloth, holding a silver aarti-style vessel and speaking, while a person in orange stands at the edge. A cameraman with a tripod films nearby.2006-01-01Outdoor ritual at a shaded ashram grove under large trees. On the right, a man in a white shawl with gold border and a white head wrap stands with raised hands, apparently leading the rite. Beside a large rocky svayambhu-style Linga draped with yellow and red flower garlands, white-clad devotees pour or tend offerings, and brass oil lamps stand on the ground. Seated devotees in white and a few in colourful saris and salwar watch from the centre-right. A cameraman in white stands on a tripod in the middle. A white-draped table with red flowers and a hanging string of lamps on a wooden pole complete the scene.2005-03-08Outdoor ritual at a large leafy tree in the afternoon. On the right, a man in a white head wrap, white robe with gold border, and rudraksha-style beads stands before a brass lamp and bell, holding a small brass vessel. Behind him, a crowd of white-clad devotees with orange flags and garlands stands and folds hands. On the left, a flower-garlanded deity murti stands on a stone base with a striped canopy above; a small oil lamp burns on the ground. A table draped in white holds offerings and flowers. The scene appears to be a puja or darshan.2005-01-01January 01 20052005-01-01 +1 copiesOutdoor ritual under a large spreading tree at dusk. On the right, a man in a white head wrap and cream-yellow shawl, adorned with a white flower garland, holds a lit aarti lamp in one hand and a brass bell in the other, facing a crowd. Behind him, many people in white clothes and orange-and-white garments stand with hands folded in prayer, some seated on the ground. Orange flags are planted in the background. On the left, a stone platform holds a deity murti decorated with marigold and white garlands, with a decorated umbrella-like canopy above. Brass lamps with flowers and a white-draped table sit in the foreground. Around 30 to 40 people are visible.2005-01-01Outdoor ritual under a large leafy tree at an ashram. On the right, a person in a white head wrap and cream-white robe with a yellow-gold border holds a lit flame or aarti lamp aloft toward the branches, with a small bell in the other hand. On the left, a large stone-based lingam or shrine is draped with a yellow and white garland, with a second white-robed figure standing beside it. Seated devotees in white and colourful saris and white shirts fill the ground in rows. A cameraman in white stands at a tripod in the centre. Brass oil lamps sit on the ground near a white-draped table holding flowers and offerings, and a dark-leaved tree canopy frames the scene.2005-03-08Outdoor ritual under a large spreading tree at dusk. A figure with long dark swept-back hair, wearing a gold-and-white garment and a beaded necklace, stands at the centre facing a large black deity murti (appears to be a Shiva lingam-style form or seated deity) draped with garlands of yellow and red-and-white flowers on the left, with a red-stone base and a snake-like carved coil. Beside him a man in white robes gestures, and an orange cloth is spread on the sand. Behind them a large crowd of people in white clothes stands with hands folded in prayer; a few wear green or maroon. A small table with a white cloth holds a lamp, and brass pooja vessels and offerings sit on a mat in the lower right, where a young man in white holds a brass vessel. Described as probable Swamiji by his long hair, gold-and-white garment and beaded necklace, shown in person.2005-01-24Outdoor photo beneath a large banyan tree at Bengaluru Aadheenam. A deity murti of Dakshinamurti, adorned with yellow and red marigold garlands and a white garland, sits on a stone-and-pebble pedestal at left. In the centre, a figure in a white dhoti and long white shawl with gold border, long dark hair loose, stands with hands in anjali facing the murti, with a golden cloth-draped seat and small brass puja vessels before them. A crowd of devotees in white ritual clothes stands behind them. At right, two sannyasis in saffron/orange robes hold tall saffron flags and stand near brass offering plates on a mat. Trees and bright daylight fill the background.2006-01-01Outdoor ritual at a large shady tree. On the right, a man with a white head wrap and a yellow-gold shawl over white clothes, wearing a long garland, rings a handbell and holds a lit brass lamp, facing a seated audience. On the left, a stone-built platform holds a garlanded deity murti with a marigold-draped base and a multicoloured canopy above. Several people in white kurtas stand with palms joined in front of the platform; red-orange flags are visible. Brass oil lamps and flower offerings sit on a cloth in the foreground, and the crowd is seated on the ground beneath the branches.2005-01-01Outdoor ritual scene beneath a large spreading tree. At left stands a decorated deity murti on a pebble-covered stone base, draped in red, orange and yellow garlands and flower strands, with a small ornate canopy above it. A line of people in white clothing and white-and-red lanyards stands in a row holding flowers and an orange flag nearby. On the right, a man in a white head wrap and a yellow-gold shawl over white clothing stands beside a small table holding brass oil lamps and a flower arrangement. A crowd of devotees, some in orange robes, watches from the ground in the background.2005-01-01Outdoor ceremony under a large spreading tree with many people seated on the ground in white clothes. A standing figure at right wears a white head wrap, a white and gold shawl, and a garland of white and multicoloured flowers, and holds a lit oil lamp or aarti flame with a bell in the other hand, offering it toward the seated congregation. Women in orange saris sit in the front row with palms pressed together, and a golden deity murti or ornate peetha sits with flower garlands at left, with brass lamps and a plate on the floor.2005-01-01