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Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a Dasara ritual at Sri Puram Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam in Hyderabad, shot from behind a crowd seated on the floor. On a raised stage, a woman in red robes and gold necklaces stands behind a seated figure in white and holds up a decorated object, while a person in white sits beside a smoking pot and a figure in orange sits at a gold-edged peetha with a tray. A large orange banner behind the stage shows a smiling portrait. Rows of silver bowls line the steps below, and gold ceremonial staffs flank the stage. Foreground devotees in white dhotis and dark clothing sit in darshan. Smoke rises from a fire pit.

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Photograph of a ritual on a raised stage before a large orange backdrop printed with a smiling portrait and Kannada script. A standing priest in red robes holds a ceremonial implement over a black-stone deity murti on a gold pedestal decorated with garlands. Nearby, a seated figure in saffron robes tends a smoking fire pit, with smoke rising. Two people in white sit to the left. Below, rows of brass vessels line the stage edge, and a seated crowd in white and dark clothing faces the stage, many with shaved heads and white shawls. This appears to be a puja or homa with the crowd in darshan.2010-10-17October 17 20102010-10-17September 24 20172017-09-24 +2 copiesPhotograph of a seated ritual gathering facing an ornate golden stage. On a red-cushioned golden throne at the top sits a figure in an orange saffron robe with a draped shawl; the figure's face and features are not clear enough to make an appearance-based identification. Golden lion-like sculptures and garlanded deity murtis stand around the stage, with a golden kalasha-style lamp hanging above. In the foreground, several shaved-headed young men and boys in white dhotis with maroon borders sit with their backs to the camera, facing the stage. Brass vessels and containers rest on the floor nearby.2010-11-17September 24 20172017-09-24 +2 copiesA stage ritual scene at a Dasara celebration. A woman in a red sari with long dark hair and a red shawl stands beside a gold-trimmed low table, pouring from a golden vessel near a garlanded kalasha. Behind her, a ceremonial gold throne with a red cushion stands empty. Two men kneel at left in orange and white ritual clothing, one with hands folded in prayer and one with a rudraksha mala seated before offering plates. Behind them, priests in white dhotis attend with bells and ritual items. Gold ceremonial staffs and a fan flank the stage. In the foreground, rows of metal plates filled with food offerings stretch across the floor. A large banner at right shows a smiling man in an orange turban and orange robes, with the word Paramahamsa printed on it. Smoke or haze hangs in the stage lights.2010-10-17A large ceremonial gathering on a stage at an outdoor-style temple hall with a blue-grey draped backdrop and tall banners with orange tassels. A seated figure in saffron-orange robes and a red-orange shawl with a beaded necklace sits on an ornate throne piled with marigold garlands. Attendants in white and cream clothes sit on the stage around him, some holding lamps. Brass oil lamps stand on tall stands beside the throne and a gilded lion or mount sculpture with flower garlands sits at left. In the foreground, about thirty devotees in white clothes sit on striped mats, many holding lit oil lamps or flame lamps aloft, while a woman with long dark hair and a grey hooded top sits with her back to the camera.2010-12-28November 15 20102010-11-15September 10 20152015-09-10Smoky evening ritual on a white and red striped stone platform with steps. A figure in orange and red robes stands at the right, holding up a flaming lamp or torch toward an altar niche draped with yellow and orange flower garlands and lit with string lights. Several seated men in white ritual clothes, some with white ceremonial objects beside them, sit on the platform before small flames and offerings. Two standing people in white cloth are visible at the top left, and a few heads of seated devotees appear in the foreground.2009-12-30Stage ceremony with a large golden throne draped in red, a golden peetha table holding a golden vessel, and a woman in red sari with a garland pouring liquid from a golden pot. Seated men in saffron cloth and garlands sit at left, one in white. A tall golden ceremonial staff stands at right beside a large portrait printed on a saffron banner labelled with a smiling bearded-free figure in orange turban and vibhuti mark. Foreground shows many metal plates of offerings in rows. Blue stage lighting and a white backdrop complete the scene.2010-10-17October 17 20102010-10-17