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A flower-decorated boat-throne floats in a water tank beside red-and-white striped steps. A figure in orange robes stands on the decorated platform, bending to scatter petals from a basket. Around the boat, many people stand waist-deep in the water with palms pressed together in namaste, and several orange-robed attendants in the foreground hold brass plates and offering trays. Garlands of marigolds and purple flowers drape the golden throne seat and red cushions, and a golden kalasha-style ornament sits on a tray in front. Brass lamps stand at the left edge of the tank.

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July 08 20092009-07-08A flower-decorated wooden float with garlands of white jasmine, orange and red blossoms, purple flowers and green leaves stands in a shallow water tank beside striped red-and-white walls. A barefoot man in a saffron-orange robe stands on the float, holding a basket. Around it, saffron-robed priests and devotees wade in the water, some holding brass plates, a silver kalasha-like vessel and offerings, while others in white and yellow garments stand with hands folded. This appears to be a theppotsavam float-boat ritual in water. Several onlookers stand along the edge, and a kalasha with flowers rests on the pool edge at left.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated ceremonial chariot standing in shallow water beside tiered red-and-white steps. A man in an orange-saffron robe stands on the chariot, his bare feet on the colourful striped cloth, reaching toward a basket of flower petals. The chariot's gold-and-red throne is garlanded with white jasmine, orange marigolds, purple flowers and green palm fronds. Around it, devotees in wet clothes stand in the water, some with hands folded in prayer; others in orange and yellow shawls hold brass plates, kalasha-style vessels and lit oil lamps on the edge. Several people in orange robes pour water and offer trays. a person is the man in the orange robe on the chariot, identified by his presentation: saffron clothing and an ornate garlanded throne setting.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated wooden float in shallow water at a temple tank, with red-and-white striped stepped walls behind. A standing figure in orange robes, with long dark hair and bare arms, stands on the float beside an ornate gold-and-red throne heaped with garlands of white, orange and yellow blossoms. Several people in saffron and orange robes wade around the float holding brass plates and a gold kalasha-shaped vessel, and devotees in white and yellow shawls stand in the water, some with hands raised in prayer. The float is decorated with striped cloth, palm fronds and purple flowers. This appears to be a theppotsavam float procession.2009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated barge-like float (theppotsavam style) set in a shallow water tank with red-and-white striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the float, leaning forward to scatter something from a basket, surrounded by garlands of marigolds, roses and purple flowers and a pale canopy. Several people wade in the water in orange robes and white clothing, some holding brass plates, a kalasha-like vessel and a lamp. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand along the edge with hands folded in namaskar, and a brass lamp stand with flower petals sits on the stone edge at left. The setting suggests a temple tank ceremony.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08A photograph of a floral-decorated boat-shaped ratha or palanquin set in a water tank with white and red striped steps behind it. A man in saffron-orange robes stands on the decorated platform, bending toward offerings on brass plates held by saffron-robed attendants wading in the water. Marigold and jasmine garlands in orange, yellow and white decorate the structure. Devotees in white and yellow shawls stand waist-deep in the water on the left, some with hands folded, and onlookers line the edge in the lower right. A brass kalasha and a plate of offerings sit at the front corner. The page identifies this as a theppotsavam event at Bidadi temple.2009-07-08A flower-decorated wooden boat-like float, draped in red and striped cloth and heaped with white jasmine garlands, orange and purple flowers, sits in shallow water at the base of a red-and-white striped stepped tank. A standing man in orange robes stands on the float, scattering petals. Devotees in the water and at the edge hold trays with offerings, a brass kalasha-style vessel and flower plates, while others fold their hands in prayer. Brass lamps sit on the left edge. This appears to be a theppotsavam float procession at a temple tank.2009-07-08A photograph of a temple ritual in shallow water at a flower-decorated palanquin with a red cushioned seat and gold-carved backrest. A man in an orange-saffron robe with bare upper body stands on the palanquin, reaching toward the seat, with cascading floral garlands in orange, purple, and white around it. Around the palanquin, devotees in orange, white, and yellow clothing stand waist-deep in water, several holding brass plates with offerings and a brass kalasha, while others raise hands in prayer. The setting is a red and white striped tiered wall with potted plants behind, consistent with a theppotsavam float procession. Swamiji candidate appearance: long swept-back hair, orange saffron robe, and ceremonial palanquin role are visible, so this is a probable identification.2009-07-08Photograph of a floral-decorated palanquin-style float on water during a theppotsavam (temple float festival) at a temple tank with a striped white-and-red stepped embankment behind. A figure in orange robes sits on a golden throne-like seat under a flower-draped canopy, with garlands of orange, white and purple flowers and palm fronds on the float. Around the float, a crowd of people stand waist-deep in the water, several in orange and saffron robes and white clothes, many with hands raised or pressed in devotion. A brass kalasha and brass puja vessels sit on the float's platform and steps, with a man in an orange robe and bald head tending offerings. Spectators line the water's edge in white and orange clothing.2009-07-08July 08 20092009-07-08