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A seated priest in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha malas and gold bangles holds a white thread over the head of a kneeling man in a white shirt, performing a blessing or initiation ritual. Behind them stand deity murti of a male and female pair, one with a crown and holding a trident-like staff, the other in a purple sari, decorated with marigold garlands. A sign reading Sri Anandeshwara is visible. Several seated devotees watch from the left, and a square stone fire pit or homa area lies in the foreground.

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December 13 20112011-12-13A photograph of an outdoor temple courtyard with an orange-painted wall and a signboard reading Sri Anandeshwara Temple. A bare-chested man in an orange saffron cloth with rudraksha beads and gold armbands stands at right, touching the shoulder of a kneeling young man in a white t-shirt. Behind them, a seated man in an orange cloth and beaded necklace is also present. Two large decorated deity murtis stand at the back, one with a crown and one with a purple garment, flanked by garlands. A small raised stone pool with a platform is at lower left, and seated spectators in the background watch the ritual. Flowers and oil lamps are placed on a white-draped table.2011-12-13A photograph of a ritual scene at a temple courtyard. A standing man in an orange saffron robe, with bare upper arm, rudraksha malas and red-beaded bracelets, holds a white cord or thread over the head of a kneeling man in a white kurta. Behind them, painted deity murtis with crowns and red and gold garments stand in a shrine, a red wall and garlands are visible, and seated devotees in white and orange watch. A stone-edged pool or basin sits at left, and a red bolster with a folded orange cloth lies at lower right.2011-12-13A seated man in orange saffron robes with a rudraksha mala and ornate gold necklaces smiles while touching the forehead of a young boy kneeling in front of him, who wears a white dhoti and a sacred thread. Behind them stand golden metal deity figures on a red cloth-draped stage, with a decorated offering table bearing silver vessels, yellow marigold garlands and purple flowers. Other seated and standing devotees fill the hall, and a second man in orange robes sits nearby. Banana leaves and marigold festoons decorate the archway behind.2011-12-13A seated man in saffron-orange robes with a bare shoulder, rudraksha malas and gold bangles sits on a red cushioned seat, smiling as he ties a white thread around the neck of a young boy in a saffron-yellow kurta. A second man in orange stands behind, adjusting beads. Behind them, a golden deity murti pair stands in a shrine decorated with yellow and orange flower garlands, and a white-draped offering table is set with brass pots and marigold garlands. Seated devotees in white and red garments watch from the background, and a sign above reads Sri Anandeshwara.2011-12-13A photograph of a temple ritual in a red-walled shrine hall. A man in a saffron-orange robe with a rudraksha mala and beaded bracelets, hair tied back, sits on a red cushioned seat and holds a thread near a devotee's face. A devotee in a white shirt and belt leans forward, bent over, with a thread at his face. Behind them a second man in orange with a gold necklace and shaved head watches. Golden deity murtis in the background, with garlanded offerings, marigolds and a kalasha-style arrangement on a white and red cloth at left. Several seated people line the back of the hall.2011-12-13Inside a temple hall with red walls and a backdrop of deity murtis and garlands, a man in orange robes with a bun of hair and beaded necklaces sits on a red cushioned seat, holding a white thread or cord. A bent-over man in a white shirt and grey trousers receives the thread from him, while another orange-robed attendant with a tilak and a rudraksha-style mala watches. Behind them are gilded deity statues, a kalasha-style garland and a standing attendant in white. The scene appears to be a ritual blessing. Several seated devotees are visible at the left edge.2011-12-13A seated man in saffron-orange robes with gold border, wearing rudraksha-style red beaded bracelets, places both hands on the head of a bare-chested boy in a white dhoti and white shawl who kneels before him. Behind them stand two painted deity murti figures, one in red and gold and one in purple with a crown, decorated with white and orange garlands. Brass kalasha pots with flowers and oil lamps sit on a white table draped in red and gold cloth. Seated devotees line the background in a hall with red walls. The scene suggests a blessing or initiation ritual.2011-12-13A photograph of a ritual moment in front of a red cloth backdrop. A bare-chested man with white and red forehead markings, a gold necklace and a rust-coloured shawl wrapped over his shoulders reaches toward the head of a seated man in white clothes, who has his head bowed and a white cord or band across his forehead. Another robed person in orange sits behind them, and a red box with offerings and orange flowers appears at the right. The bare-chested figure has distinctive adornments and gold jewellery, but his face and identity cannot be confirmed from appearance, so he is described by role only.2012-09-05A photograph of a ritual initiation in a temple hall. A smiling man with long dark hair tied back, wearing an orange-saffron shawl and rudraksha-style beaded bracelets, sits on a red cushion and places his right hand on the forehead of a young boy in a yellow-orange kurta. The boy stands with his hands joined in prayer. Behind them is a decorated altar with golden deity murtis, a white-and-red draped table holding yellow marigold garlands and brass vessels, and a row of seated devotees in white. A banner reads Sri Anandeshwari, and a white air conditioner unit and a small stone pool appear at the left.2011-12-13December 13 20112011-12-13A photograph of a ritual in a temple hall with a red-orange wall. In the foreground, a man in an orange saffron robe with a gold-bordered wrap and beaded bracelets stands behind a seated young boy in a white dhoti with a striped sash, placing his hands on the boy's head. The boy's head is bowed. Behind them, on a white-draped table, stand brass kalasha pots decorated with yellow marigold garlands and purple flower strands. Two golden deity murti figures stand in the background, one with a crown and trident-like staff and one in a purple sari. A row of seated devotees, including one in an orange shawl, watches. A small stone-edged pit sits at left.2011-12-13