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Photograph of a crowded outdoor-style temple hall at evening, with a large audience seen from behind seated on the floor. At the front, a figure in a rust-brown robe with a white flower garland stands beside an ornate gold-and-red throne. Behind him, deity murtis draped in marigold garlands are displayed on a decorated altar, with brass lamps and kalasha-like vessels. On the left, attendants in saffron and red clothing tend a fire pit, and a priest in white dhoti stands nearby. Banana plants, colourful hanging lights and garlands frame the scene.

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December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02Evening outdoor puja under a canopy at an ashram-style venue, with a large crowd seated on the ground in white, cream, green and orange clothing. Smoke rises from a fire pit at left, and several priests in white dhotis sit behind a golden-canopied altar with yellow marigold garlands and banana leaves. A seated figure in saffron-coloured clothing on a red throne at right, with a visible crown-like headdress, appears to be presiding over the ritual; this is an appearance-based probable identification only. Behind the altar stand deity murtis decorated with garlands, and strings of coloured lights hang overhead.2016-12-02Evening puja at a temple-style hall before a deity shrine decorated with rainbow and marigold garlands. A central figure seated on a red cushioned seat with a gold back, wearing a red turban, rudraksha mala and ceremonial gold necklace, is the probable Swamiji by appearance and role. Attendants in white or bare-chested ritual dress tend a fire pit and offerings, with a brass vessel and oil lamps on a low table. Seated devotees in white and dark clothing fill the foreground, and a banana plant and ornate stone pillars frame the scene. Shrine figures of deities hold the centre behind the seat.2016-12-02Night outdoor ritual at a temple-style pavilion with a large decorated deity murti behind an altar, garlanded in yellow, white and red flowers, with banana plants and hanging tassels above. A seated figure in a red-cushioned throne in the centre is dressed in white with a garland, and priests in white dhotis and pink headcloths perform rites around a flower-strewn platform. Many devotees in white and colourful clothes sit on mats facing the stage, while a bare-chested priest in the foreground faces the altar. Strings of lights and a video camera on a tripod are visible. Activity suggests abhishekam and puja.2016-12-02Night outdoor ritual before a large crowd seated on mats. Behind a red-draped platform, a seated figure in a red chair is at the centre of the stage, with a garlanded deity murti and a tall gold-framed canopy behind him. Shirtless priests in white dhotis attend the platform and handle kalasha-like vessels set with yellow flowers. Devotees in white, pastel and saree-style clothing fill the foreground, many women with hair up. A cameraman with a tripod stands at left. Banana plants and marigold garlands decorate the stage, consistent with an abhishekam-style puja. The seated figure shows no distinctive visible cues such as saffron robes, a crown or rudraksha malas, so his identity is uncertain.2016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02December 02 20162016-12-02Night outdoor ritual at an open-air pavilion with a large crowd seated on the ground facing a raised stage. On the stage, a seated central figure in red clothing and a beaded garland sits on a red-cushioned throne before a shrine decorated with marigold garlands, banana leaves and a deity murti. Several bare-chested priests attend the seated figure and tend offerings and brass items on a low table covered with yellow flowers. Hanging orange and white decorative streamers and lamps frame the shrine. Many devotees in white, orange, purple and pastel clothing sit in rows in the foreground, mostly with their backs to the camera.2016-12-02Night-time ritual photograph of a temple-style stage decorated with marigold garlands, banana plants and string lights. At the centre, a large seated figure with long dark hair, a white beaded necklace and a red-cushioned seat sits before a fire pit, with the fire burning in a raised brass-and-wood homa platform. Behind him, a deity murti with a crown is adorned with flower garlands. Several bare-chested men in white dhotis, some with orange sashes, perform offerings and tend the fire. Plates of marigold petals and kalasha pots are arranged along the red platform in front, and seated devotees in white and pastel clothing watch from the foreground.2016-12-02