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A night puja scene under a decorated pandal. On the left, a large deity murti with a crown and red-and-gold garments stands beside a white-and-pink floral decorated figure and a lion-like vahana. Five girls in maroon and red silk pavadais sit on a purple cloth before fruits, flowers and brass lamps. A bald priest in white dhoti with a white shawl and beaded mala raises his hand in blessing, while another attendant in white kneels at right holding a bowl of white powder. A carved wooden drum-shaped stand and a peetha-like white-draped table sit in front. Red lights and bunting hang in the background, with more white-clad priests behind.

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Night ritual in a temporary open pavilion with a deity murti of a goddess in red and gold, flanked by decorated figures and a lion mount, behind a fruit offering. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha-style beads holds up a small offering while a seated attendant in white and yellow holds a silver bowl. Five young girls in maroon silk dresses with gold trim sit on a purple cloth, holding flowers. Brass lamps, a wooden seat, and bunting frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time puja at a pandal with a large multi-armed goddess murti in the background, decorated with white and blue backdrop, marigold garlands and a lit garland of lights. In the foreground, several young girls in red and maroon silk dresses sit on a purple cloth, holding flowers and fruit; one girl wears a black braid with a yellow hair clip. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border stands at center, raising his hands in a mudra beside a carved wooden stool. A man in a white dhoti and white shirt sits at right holding a silver bowl, with a kumkum-marked brass vessel and offerings of fruit, a watermelon and oranges on trays at left. Brass lamps and bells stand on the orange floor, with bunting and tassels overhead. Several other white-clad men stand in the background.2010-10-16Night puja at an ashram pavilion decorated with string lights and paper garlands. On the left, a large Devi murti with a gold crown and a second deity figure stand behind a floral arch and a shiny brass pot. Five young girls in maroon and dark red silk outfits sit cross-legged on a purple cloth, holding flowers and offerings. A shaven-headed priest in a white dhoti and shawl with red border stands at the centre, making a hand gesture over a brass plate. Another man in white with yellow dhoti kneels at right holding a silver bowl. Fruit, a watermelon and oil lamps are arranged on trays, and a wooden peetha stands in front. Other white-clad people stand in the background.2010-10-16Night-time Chandi Homa ritual under a decorated pavilion with strings of tassels and a large swirl motif. On the left, a clay murti of a goddess with multiple arms and red-and-gold garments stands beside offerings of fruit, a watermelon, bananas, coconuts, vegetables, flowers and kumkum powder on trays. In the foreground a woman in a maroon sari holds a green fruit and sits among other women in red and maroon saris also holding fruit. Behind them, a seated figure in white ritual dress and turban sits on a gold-trimmed throne, with a second robed figure in orange nearby. Strings of lights and smoke from the homa fire fill the background, and a wooden drum-like object stands on the right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time photograph of a Navaratri Chandi Homa puja under an open pavilion. On the left, a large murti of a multi-armed goddess with red garments and weapons stands beside a string of lights. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti and white head-turban stands gesturing with one hand, while a seated figure in a red-and-saffron cloth sits on a red and gold throne-like seat, and monastic men in saffron robes sit nearby. Foreground, a woman in a red-and-maroon sari holds a green fruit. Tables are laden with bananas, lemons, apples, red and yellow flowers, a watermelon, kumkum and vermilion dishes, brass lamps and a kalasha. Bunting and decorated pillars hang overhead.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesEvening outdoor puja under a covered pavilion decorated with hanging tassels and leaf garlands. On the left, large colourful deity murtis and a pink elephant-headed figure stand on a dressed table with fruit offerings, brass lamps and a green-leaf platter. A woman in a maroon-and-gold sari sits on an orange-and-white stepped platform, holding fruit and flowers. Facing her, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a red border holds a lit lamp or flame over a tray of offerings. Behind them, a red-and-gold throne and a crowd of seated devotees fill the background, with a lamp-lit dais and a camera visible at the lower right.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at a pandal decorated with a large deity murti of a goddess in red and pink with a crown, lion mount, and tall garlands. In the foreground several young women in red and orange saris sit on a purple cloth with fruit, bananas, a watermelon, and brass plates of offerings. On the right a man in white ceremonial clothes with a red-bordered shawl performs a homa or puja beside a large wooden drum and a tall smoking fire vessel, while others in white sit nearby and a crowd watches. A hanging kalasha-style ornament and bunting decorate the canopy, and a red throne-like seat stands in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16