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A bare-backed priest in a hot pink turban and white dhoti stands at the back of a decorated wooden ratha or procession cart, arms raised to place a garland of red and white flowers and green leaves onto a deity murti. Rudraksha mala beads hang across his shoulders and chest. Flanking the cart, carved figures with beards and crowns sit at the sides, and small woven baskets hold leaves and flowers. The background is glowing golden lights and warm decorations. No a person candidate is visible; the figure is a priest seen from behind.

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July 03 20162016-07-03A photograph of a temple ritual in progress. A bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a magenta head cloth and a gold-beaded neck ornament stretches his right arm forward, scattering petals or leaves over a decorated altar. Beside him another man in white holds a polished silver vessel. The altar holds a large deity murti or ceremonial figure draped with red, pink and white flowers, green leaves and rudraksha malas, set on a gold-bordered cloth. Carved lion figures and a small painted sage statue in orange sit at the front, with a blazing golden fire or lamp glow behind. Two people are visible.2016-07-03 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual offering scene in warm golden light. In the left foreground, a bare-chested man with a pink headcloth and layered rudraksha and bead necklaces bows his head with one hand raised to his head. Center stage stands a decorated kalasha-style vessel with a coconut, garlands of white jasmine and red flowers, green leaves, and rudraksha malas draped around it, set on a green and gold cloth. Small lit oil lamps in woven holders flank the arrangement. At the lower right, a small painted figure of a bearded sage with hands folded in prayer sits beside the offering. Blurred foliage and lights fill the background.2016-07-03July 18 20162016-07-18A photograph of a temple ritual at a shrine. A bare-backed priest in a white dhoti with a yellow cloth draped over the shoulder and a green turban raises his arm to adjust a red and orange cloth draped over a decorated deity murti. The shrine is ornate with gold-toned carved framing, a teal backdrop, and a large brass kalasha-like pot with strings and garlands. Below, two embellished figures in red and gold garments sit on a pink and white altar. Behind the shrine stand a standing figure in a red and gold garment with a jeweled necklace and a green cloth-covered seat. A small figure in red sits at the lower right edge. The lower left shows a green-draped surface and a gold border.2015-09-17October 19 20152015-10-19October 19 20152015-10-19A priest with a bare upper body and a yellow-and-green cloth wrapped on his head performs a ritual at a decorated altar. He wears a white dhoti and a beaded necklace, and holds a small brass vessel and green leaves over a tiered altar. The altar is covered in red and white flower garlands, with red-and-white flower heaps and clay figurines of seated sages in saffron-red garments. Golden temple carvings and a red curtain frame the scene. The setting suggests a temple puja or abhishekam.2016-07-02A photograph of a temple ritual at a shrine. A bare-chested priest with a green head cloth and yellow dhoti stands with his back to the camera, raising a bundle of green leaves or grass toward an ornate shrine. The shrine has a gilded arched canopy, a red and orange draped cloth, red flowers, and a jewelled central image. In front are several decorated brass pots or kalasha with gold-embroidered garlands and a seated figure at the lower right. A deity murti with jewelled ornaments stands at the upper left. The scene is lit warmly.2015-09-17A temple puja scene: a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a purple-bordered cloth and a sacred thread stands at left holding a silver tray, while a seated attendant at left edge tends an offering. Centre, a deity murti is dressed in red garlands and white flower strands, set on a pink-and-white cloth over a wooden platform. Silver oil lamps flank the shrine, and fruit and flower offerings sit on trays in the foreground. Behind, large floral-garlanded deity figures and a gold curtain frame the sanctum. Two seated devotees appear at the bottom edge.2016-12-07A photograph of a priest in a white dhoti with a pink and white shawl and a bright orange-red sequined cap, seen from behind, reaching up to adjust or place a golden crown-like finial onto an ornate deity murti. The murti is draped in layered garlands of purple, yellow, red and green flowers with white blossoms and jewelled ornaments, and a large gold ceremonial arch with floral carving stands behind. The priest's bare upper back and gold bangle and red thread on his wrist are visible. The scene suggests a decorating or alankaram moment during worship.2013-07-18A bare-chested temple priest in a magenta turban and a teal-and-white checked cloth over his shoulder stands with both arms raised, holding a small bunch of flowers and leaves overhead during ritual worship. He wears layered beaded necklaces with a large ceremonial pendant, bangles, and a sacred thread, with white and yellow ash markings on his forehead. Brass oil lamps stand at the left edge, and a bright, softly lit shrine with green and gold decorations glows behind him.2016-07-03