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A ritual puja on a decorated stage with a multicoloured backdrop. A shaven-headed priest in orange robes kneels at left, holding a small lamp or vessel over a brass plate, while other robed attendants in orange and maroon sit nearby. A standing figure in orange-brown wrap and rudraksha mala stands behind. Smoke or incense haze fills the air. Behind them is a golden deity murti with multiple arms holding weapons, and a pair of decorated deity statues in red garments with flower garlands in yellow, white and purple. Brass pots, flower offerings and marigold garlands fill the foreground, with a fan at left.

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May 19 20132013-05-19May 24 20132013-05-24A photograph of a Meenakshi Tirukalyanam ritual staged before a golden arched backdrop with elaborately garlanded deity murtis, including a seated and a standing form adorned with flower garlands and jewellery. In the centre foreground, a man in a white turban and red dhoti seated before a fire pit (homa) of stacked bricks, with a flame rising from a vessel and metal bowls of offerings and flowers around him. To the left, a man in an orange turban and saffron-orange garments sits on a mat, and beside the fire a priest in a red-brown dhoti pours from a vessel. On the right, a man in an orange turban and red garments with flower garlands sits beside the fire. Brass pots, kalasha-style vessels and rose petals lie on the floor.2015-04-30A temple puja in progress before a colourful multi-armed deity statue with a trident and sword, painted in orange, red and gold against a turquoise wall. To the right, a richly decorated deity murti is adorned with red, orange and yellow flower garlands and a silver trident. In the foreground, a priest in saffron-orange robes with white body markings holds a lit flame or aarti lamp and offers it toward the deity. Beside him, a young man with a bare chest and short hair sits with palms joined in prayer, and several men in white dhotis join in worship. Brass bowls, oil lamps, flower offerings and mango-like fruit sit on a tiered stone base in front of the deity.2013-05-17Photograph of a puja ceremony in a hall. In the centre, a man with a shaved head, glasses and a rudraksha mala sits cross-legged in saffron-orange clothing with his hands pressed together in prayer. Beside him on the left, a young boy in an orange turban and orange robe with gold trim, also with a rudraksha mala, sits with hands folded. Behind them, a decorated altar holds deity murti garlanded with yellow and white flowers, with pink draped cloth. In front, a brass oil lamp burns, with brass bowls of flowers, a kalasha-style vessel, and stacked yellow turmeric blocks on a stone slab. Smoke rises at right.2015-04-30A photograph of a temple-style ritual in progress. A standing priest in a dark maroon dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala and glasses, holds a lit oil lamp in one hand and a small brass vessel in the other, facing a gold-framed shrine decorated with white and multicoloured flower garlands. Three young attendants in saffron-orange dhotis and turbans stand to his left, one holding a silver tray with a lamp stand and another a bowl of flowers or grains. Behind them, a garlanded figure presses palms together. A pink and gold draped table and smoke rising at the left complete the scene, with petals scattered on the floor.2015-04-30A photograph of a fire ritual (homa) under a decorated temple-style canopy. Two people in saffron-orange robes kneel at a raised fire pit; one holds a tray of offerings over a bright flame while smoke rises. The taller figure has long dark hair and a rudraksha-style necklace. Behind them, a large golden-and-floral-garlanded altar holds two deity murtis with multicoloured garland swags, and a framed portrait is mounted at the upper right. Marigold and rose garlands border the fire platform, with brass lamps and vessels nearby.2006-07-17A photograph of a temple-style ritual inside a hall. A standing priest in an orange-brown dhoti with bare upper body and rudraksha mala, hands joined in prayer, faces an ornately garlanded deity murti in a gold arched shrine, the murti draped with white jasmine and marigold garlands. Three young boys in saffron-orange turbans and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged on the floor with brass plates and offerings. Behind them, a seated figure in a red-and-gold throne draped with flower garlands wears an orange turban and rudraksha mala, and a pink cloth covers the altar table with flowers and an oil lamp in front. Smoke rises at the right.2015-04-30A photograph of a ritual ceremony in a hall with maroon drapes. In the foreground, a priest in an orange-saffron dhoti with rudraksha beads sits behind a fire pit built of yellow turmeric-coloured blocks, with a flame rising and a metal bowl in his hands. Beside him, two young attendants in orange robes and rudraksha malas sit cross-legged, one holding a small ceremonial item. On the right, a seated man in a white turban, white flower garland and red dhoti with gold armbands sits watching the fire. Behind them, a golden chair draped in flowers and a golden throne-like seat hold a decorated deity murti dressed in green and garlanded with white and orange flowers, and a second flower-garlanded seat stands at left. Brass vessels and offerings lie on the floor.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.2015-04-30A homa is being performed in a tented open hall in front of a decorated seated deity murti and a central dais draped in red cloth and marigold garlands. A priest in white dhoti with bare torso kneels at a brick fire pit, pouring from a ladle, while several seated priests in white and orange chant into microphones. A monk in rust-orange robes and a rudraksha mala stands near the fire pit holding offerings. Nearby stand a woman in a red-brown sari with a tilak, a bald man in orange, and a man in a white shawl. Golden ornamental poles, a kalasha-style vessel, and bowls of marigold petals and flowers surround the altar.2015-07-17April 27 20182018-04-27