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A photograph of a decorated ritual hall during a puja. Orange and white marigold garlands and flower strings hang overhead and along pillars. In the centre, a standing man in an orange robe holds a lit aarti lamp toward a seated altar. Before him, several people in orange and white clothes sit on the floor with hands folded in prayer, and a man in white sits in the foreground. A long white-draped table is set with brass and banana-leaf offerings, fruit, sweets, coconuts and small clay pots. At left, a white deity murti is seen beside flower-decorated stands, and a red-and-gold platter rests on the floor.

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January 12 20092009-01-12A night-time temple ritual under marigold and flower garlands strung across the ceiling. In the foreground a man with short dark hair, wearing a salmon-pink shawl over a pink top, faces away and raises a lit oil lamp (aarti). Beyond him, a figure in orange robes sits cross-legged before a decorated altar with a deity murti and a large ornate pink-and-gold peetha. A row of white-clad devotees sit on the floor, and many small brass kalasha pots are arranged on a white-draped table. Large brass vessels stand at the right, plates of fruit and sweets are laid out, and a microphone stands at the lower left.2009-01-12Evening puja inside a marigold-decorated shrine hung with orange and white flower garlands. In the foreground a standing priest in an orange robe holds a lit oil lamp or aarti flame toward the altar. Seated at centre, a figure in orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits on a raised cushion, with a second orange-robed attendant seated beside him. The altar holds rows of decorated coconuts or kalasha pots and banana-leaf plates of offerings. Devotees in white and orange stand and sit behind, and a white deity murti is visible at left. Garlands and string lights frame the scene.2009-01-12A decorated temple-style hall with marigold and white jasmine garlands hanging overhead and a framed portrait draped with a red-and-white garland. In the centre a seated figure in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala sits on a raised cushioned seat, with a gold-trimmed red shawl draped over the seat. A man in a pale peach dhoti and shawl, seen from behind with his hair visible, holds a flaming oil lamp (aarti) toward the seated figure. Two women in saffron-orange saris sit to the left, one with hands folded in prayer and another in white. Round white trays of decorated sweets and fruit are arranged on a white-draped table, with a pink-and-white decorated pedestal in front. Small crowds stand in the background. The scene suggests an aarti ritual with offerings.2009-01-12January 12 20092009-01-12Night ritual photo beneath a canopy of orange and white marigold and jasmine garlands hung from a ceremonial structure with a tiered floral tower. A long-haired figure in a flowing saffron-orange robe with a red flower garland stands at centre with raised arms, facing a line of white-clad men in white dhotis and shawls, some holding lamps or offerings. Other saffron-robed attendants stand behind. On the right, a long white table holds rows of brass kalashas decorated with mango leaves and coconuts, surrounded by pink and marigold flowers and fruit plates. Lamps and bright lights illuminate the scene.2009-01-12A night-time ritual scene under a canopy strung with orange and yellow marigold garlands. At the centre, a seated figure in orange robes and a red-orange garland sits on a raised orange seat before a pyramid of brass-tipped fruit and sweets on a white-draped table. Around him, several people in saffron and orange robes, some with orange shawls and beaded necklaces, sit on the floor in front of rows of offerings in small bowls and dishes. In the foreground, two men in white dhotis and orange cloths sit with their backs to the camera before further trays of food and lamps. Behind them stands a white statue of a seated deity and a framed deity image, with a white seated figure on a pedestal to the left. Steel buckets and pots line the right edge. The setting suggests a puja or satsang with offerings.2009-01-12A night-time temple ritual under a canopy of marigold and orange flower garlands with string lights overhead. A seated figure in red robes and a crown, with a rudraksha mala and ornate gold necklace, sits on a raised red seat at the back, flanked by a decorated pink pedestal. In front, rows of brass kalasha pots topped with coconuts and mango leaves stand on a white-draped table. Devotees in saffron and white sit on the floor, and white-clad priests in orange sashes tend shallow oil lamps and offering plates spread on a cloth. Stone deity murti and a white statue of a seated figure stand at the left, with buckets and a fan visible at the edges. This appears to be a puja or abhishekam with kalasha offerings.2009-01-12A night-time homa or yagna at a temple-style site decorated with marigold and orange flower garlands. A standing priest in saffron-orange dhoti and shawl holds a flaming vessel high on the right, beside a large round fire pit edged with orange and pink flower garlands. Several men in white dhotis and shirts stand with folded hands behind a white-covered table laden with tiered trays of sweets, fruit, plates of offerings and brass vessels. In the foreground, two people in saffron-orange robes sit in prayer with hands together. A framed portrait garlanded with flowers hangs at upper left, showing a figure in orange, and a deity murti stands among the marigolds at the back.2009-01-12A photograph of a ceremonial puja in a marigold-decorated pandal at night. A long-haired figure seen from behind, in orange robes, sits in the foreground on a white-draped seat. In the centre, a man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala stands holding a lit lamp, performing aarti before a fire and offering trays. Several seated devotees in white clothes sit on the floor with hands joined in prayer. Garlands of orange and yellow marigolds hang from the canopy, with statues of deities and small brass kalashas and offering plates along the sides.2009-01-12A photograph of an outdoor ritual under a canopy heavily decorated with orange and yellow marigold garlands and white jasmine strands. A long-haired figure with dark curly hair in a flowing orange robe sits cross-legged on a white-draped seat in the foreground, seen from behind, with a white flower garland draped nearby. Across the space, a man in an orange robe holds a flaming lamp aloft while a priest in white stands beside him. Rows of brass pots and banana-leaf-wrapped offerings sit on a white-clothed table, and devotees in white and orange sit on a red-and-patterned mat. Small oil lamps and white stone deity murtis line the canopy, with a kalasha-like vessel at left and marigold garlands on the floor.2009-01-12Night photograph of an outdoor temple-style ritual setting densely decorated with orange and white marigold and jasmine garlands hanging from overhead canopies. In the centre a large pink lotus pedestal sits on a coiled serpent-like base with dotted patterns. A long row of brass pots with pointed mango-leaf and coconut-type tops stands on a white-draped table in the foreground, with bowls of offerings nearby. Behind, white stone deity murtis are seated in arched niches, and several people sit on mats in orange and red clothing, some with hands folded. Strings of lights glow in the background.2009-01-12