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A night-time photo of an outdoor stage set for a Karthikai Deepam ritual. A figure in saffron robes, wearing a red-orange cloth, a rudraksha mala and a gold necklace, sits on an ornate golden throne with a red cushioned back, garlanded with yellow flowers and raised palm in greeting. Two priests in saffron-orange dhotis sit on the red-carpeted floor at right, one bare-chested with white sacred markings on his arm and shoulder, tending a brass vessel. In front are a golden pedestal holding a yellow-flower-garlanded deity murti, a brass homa/abhishekam vessel, banana leaf offerings with fruit, and tall brass oil lamps lit with flames. Green forest-scene backdrop panels and a tripod-mounted camera stand behind the stage.

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November 27 20122012-11-27Photograph of a ritual stage at night with a fire pit (homa) burning in front of a gilded peetha-style throne. A figure in saffron-orange robes, a saffron head wrap, and a red-and-white rudraksha-style mala sits on a red-cushioned throne framed by a golden arch hung with yellow and orange flower garlands, raising one hand in greeting. Tall brass lamp stands with lit oil lamps flank the stage, and a backdrop shows a painted forest scene. In front, a flower-wreathed object sits on a gold-trimmed low table, with silver footwear, fruit plates and brass vessels on the red floor. At right, a shaven-headed priest in orange cloth sits beside the fire, tending offerings with a lamp and bowls. Matching orange drapes line the stage edge. The seated figure has distinctive saffron and mala cues, so appearance suggests a person on the throne, with the priest as a separate attendant.2012-11-27A photograph of a ceremonial stage set for the Karthikai Deepam celebration at Tiruvannamalai. A seated figure sits on an ornate golden throne with a red cushioned back, wearing an orange robe, an orange turban, red rudraksha malas and a garland of marigolds, raising one hand in blessing. Tall brass oil lamps with burning flames stand on both sides, and a painted forest backdrop frames the stage. In front, a golden low platform holds fruit, silver-leaf plates and a flower arrangement. At right, a bald priest in an orange-brown garment and white forehead markings holds a lit lamp. a person's cues here are the orange turban, rudraksha malas and orange robe; the figure is seated on a throne and surrounded by offerings.2012-11-27April 30 20152015-04-30Two seated priests in saffron-orange clothing and orange turbans perform worship before a decorated shrine hung with red, purple, yellow and white flower garlands. The priest on the left, bare-chested with a shawl and beaded necklaces, holds a microphone. The priest on the right, in orange with a rudraksha-style bead necklace and bracelets, sits with palms pressed together in prayer. Before them stand a brass lamp with a flame, a kalasha decorated with pink flowers, stacked jaggery-like offerings, bananas, apples, oranges and coconut. Behind them a deity murti in green and pink silk, adorned with white garlands and gold necklaces, stands in the shrine. The scene reflects puja worship. a person is not clearly identifiable from appearance.2018-04-27 +1 copiesA ritual homa at a temple-style hall. A bald priest in a reddish-brown dhoti and a brown shawl, wearing a rudraksha mala and round glasses, sits on the floor pouring an offering from a silver ladle into a bright fire pit lined with yellow-ochre bricks. Beside him sits a young boy in an orange dhoti and saffron head wrap with a rudraksha mala, seated cross-legged with his hands resting on his knees, near a brass bowl and a basket of petals. Behind them a figure in orange and saffron sits on a red and gold throne draped with marigold garlands. A gold shrine arch frames a decorated deity murti with a crown and garlands on a pink cloth, with a lit oil lamp at the side.2015-04-30A photograph of a temple ritual before an ornate deity murti of Meenakshi, adorned with white and multicolored flower garlands, jewelled crown and gold ornaments, seated on a pink draped platform beneath a gold canopy. In the foreground a man in a rust-red dhoti with a gold-bordered shawl and a rudraksha mala holds a lit oil lamp aloft during aarti, while a young assistant in orange and gold robes with a saffron turban sits with palms joined in namaskar. Another attendant in an orange turban holds a lamp nearby, and a second figure in orange robes sits behind with a garland on a flower-decorated seat. Brass vessels, a bowl of flowers and a yellow-tiled platform occupy the lower foreground. A possible candidate with shaved head and bare shoulders is present but the appearance is not distinctive enough to confirm identity; no printed name appears in the scene.2015-04-30September 14 20152015-09-14April 30 20152015-04-30Night-time homa ritual under a tent-covered temple court. In the foreground, a saffron-robed priest with a bare upper body, white ash markings and an orange turban sits before a yellow-tiled fire pit, lit by a flame, holding a ritual object. Beside him, another orange-clad priest in an orange turban tends the offerings. Brass vessels, plates of flowers and yellow marigolds lie on the platform, and a rainbow-striped mat covers the floor. Behind them, a shrine holds a decorated deity murti with a kalasha. Several other saffron-clad attendants stand nearby, and a black stone statue is at left.2017-09-11Night puja at a temple-like outdoor setting. A shaved-headed priest in white ritual clothing sits behind a flame lamp held up by another shaved-headed man in an orange and yellow robe with a beaded necklace, who holds a silver vessel and a bowl of flowers beside him. Brass plates hold offerings, a golden palanquin-style stand is decorated with yellow and white garlands and a deity murti draped in a maroon cloth with gold jewellery and garlands stands at left. White cloth screens and a bright floral arrangement complete the scene. Appearance cues for the orange-robed man are not distinctive enough to confirm identity.2012-01-08November 04 20132013-11-04