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Photo of a temple abhishekam at a Los Angeles temple. A man in orange saffron robes and a rudraksha mala with gold ornaments pours white liquid from a golden vessel over a white conical mound on a red-and-gold stand. Beside him, a second man in orange robes with a gold necklace and glasses sits and watches. Marigolds and pink flowers, brass lamps, a bell and a conch sit on the tray in front, with a gold deity figure and purple garlands at right. a person (appearance-based label): the central figure's distinctive orange sannyasi attire and rudraksha mala are the cues, and he is performing the pouring ritual.

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A photograph inside a temple shrine during an abhishekam. A man in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala and a gold necklace pours milk from a gold vessel over a white conical shivalinga mound on a wooden platform. Beside him, another priest in orange robes with a red head covering and gold chain sits and attends to offerings on a brass tray. Marigold and rose garlands hang in the background, with brass lamps and flowers on the altar.2009-10-17A photograph of a temple abhishekam. A man in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala and gold necklaces sits beside a white shivalingam, pouring water from a gold vessel over it. A second man in orange with a saffron turban sits to the left, and flower garlands in magenta and white hang on the right beside a gold ornamental frame. Brass pots, bells, oil lamps and a tray of flowers and leaves sit on the altar.2009-10-17A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a temple shrine. A man in saffron-orange robes and a long rudraksha mala pours water from a brass vessel over a tiered copper-toned shivalinga on a wooden stand. Beside him, a second man in saffron robes with a gold necklace sits with hands extended, and brass lamps, flower garlands in red and white, and brass puja vessels surround the scene.2009-10-17A photograph of a ritual at a temple shrine. A man seated centre wears saffron-orange robes, a multi-strand rudraksha mala, and a red-and-white tilak on his forehead, and touches a white sculpted Sri Yantra-style meru structure on a wooden stand. To the left, a second man in orange robes with a saffron head wrap and gold chain holds a silver tray of small brass cups and offerings. Brass oil lamps, a bell, flowers and green leaves sit on the altar, with garlands of red and purple flowers hanging on the right and gold-and-red silk fabric in the background.2009-10-17A photograph of a shrine ritual in a temple setting. A man in saffron-orange robes with a long rudraksha mala and a gold-toned necklace pours liquid from a brass vessel over a white shivalinga-shaped sculpture on a wooden stand, an abhishekam. Beside him, a second saffron-robed man in glasses and an orange head covering sits and watches, wearing a gold pendant. Brass lamps, a plate of flowers, leaves, a small gold dish and incense sticks sit on a tray in front. Garlands of pink and white flowers and gold-trimmed red fabric hang in the background, and a pale tiled wall encloses the shrine.2009-10-17Photo of a ritual abhishekam at a temple altar. A central figure seated in saffron/orange robes wears a rudraksha mala and a gold ceremonial necklace, with a forehead tilak, and pours a yellow liquid from a golden vessel onto a tiered golden shivalinga-style pyramid base. A second seated priest in orange robes and a saffron head cloth sits to the left, working with offerings. Marigold and rose garlands hang on the right, with brass lamps, a kalasha and flower offerings on the foreground tray. Pink, purple and white garlands frame the scene. Two additional orange-clad figures are partly visible in the background.2009-10-17Photograph of a puja at an indoor temple setting. A man in saffron-orange robes with a long rudraksha mala and gold necklace sits cross-legged and touches a tiered golden sri yantra meru structure on a wooden stand. Beside him, a second saffron-robed man in glasses and a red headband holds a silver tray with a small lamp and ritual vessels. A third man in orange robes is seated at the left edge. Behind them are a golden deity murti, a brass oil lamp stand, a red and gold draped backdrop and garlands of pink and white flowers. Flowers and brass vessels rest on the floor in front. Visible text reads 'Nithyananda Paramashivam' and '' in the image corner2009-10-17A photograph of an abhishekam ritual in a temple shrine. A man in orange saffron robes with a rudraksha mala and a gold ceremonial necklace pours water from a brass pot over a golden shivalingam with a layered base. Beside him, a second man in orange with glasses and a gold necklace sits and gestures toward the offerings, while a third orange-robed figure is partly visible at the left. Brass oil lamps, pink and white flowers, a green leaf offering and a brass bell sit on the altar, with garlands of pink and purple flowers hanging at the right. A figure in orange appears in the background, and a bright red and green silk cloth decorates the shrine above.2009-10-17A photograph of a temple ritual in which a man in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala with ceremonial gold necklaces pours water from a golden pot over a white conical shivalinga-style stone form. Two other men in saffron-orange sit beside him: one on the left wears a saffron cloth over his head and glasses, and another on the left edge wears saffron robes and a mala. Behind them are a brass oil lamp, a golden deity murti, a red and gold cloth, and garlands of pink and white flowers. Fresh green leaves and flower petals lie at the lower left. The scene reads as an abhishekam offering.2009-10-17Photo of a temple puja inside a shrine with orange-robed participants seated on the floor before a copper shri yantra, a stepped pyramid-shaped copper object with triangular and lotus patterns. The central seated man wears saffron-orange robes, a long beaded rudraksha-style mala and ornate gold-toned necklace, a white vibhuti marking and red tilak on his forehead, and holds a small yellow item in his right hand over the yantra. Beside him, a second man in orange robes, glasses and an orange head wrap holds a small brass bowl and wears a gold chain. Brass oil lamps, a brass kalasha, flower garlands in pink, white and magenta, and red and gold drapery surround the altar, with a bowl of flowers and leaves in the foreground. Another seated figure in orange sits at the left edge.2009-10-17A photograph of a ritual abhishekam at a temple shrine. A man in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala and a forehead tilak pours water from a brass vessel over a tiered copper-coloured shivalingam on a golden peetha. Behind him, a second man in saffron robes sits holding a brass pitcher. Brass puja vessels, flowers and banana leaves lie on a tray in front, and garlands of purple, white and red flowers hang on the right beside gold ornaments.2009-10-17Photograph of a puja at a temple shrine. A man in saffron-orange robes with a white forehead band, a rudraksha mala and a long gold necklace sits on a low seat, smiling and performing a ritual gesture over a wooden stand draped with a green cloth and garlands of red and white flowers. Beside him, a second priest in orange robes with a red head wrap and gold necklace sits with folded hands. Brass oil lamps, a plate of flower petals, lemons, apples, a coconut and betel leaves sit on the floor. Behind them stand golden decorations, red fabric and a row of orange-clad devotees.2009-10-17