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Evening puja at a decorated shrine before a large painted deity murti with a crown and multiple arms, flanked by smaller figures, silver umbrellas and white paper-flower decorations. A priest in white dhoti and angavastram stands at left pouring liquid from a vessel toward the murti, while another priest in white sits cross-legged at the lower platform beside brass lamps and a kalasha-like vessel. Girls in red and maroon dresses sit behind the platform. At right, a figure in saffron-orange robes with white body markings and beaded necklaces sits on an ornate chair, hands folded, with a white-robed attendant beside him. Mango leaves are strung across the top and a white cloth covers the floor.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night homa or puja at a decorated temple stage. At the centre stands a large goddess murti with a lion mount, backed by a white floral arch and a painted blue figure. A fire pit with a lit flame sits in front on white steps, surrounded by yellow and white flower petals and brass vessels. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left, raising one hand and holding a small brass bowl. A seated man in white dhoti and yellow cloth sits cross-legged before the fire. At right, a white-haired priest with white body markings and orange cloth sits with hands folded, and several young girls in red and maroon saris sit along the stage. Garlands hang from the ceiling and marigolds decorate the backdrop. Audience members' heads are visible at the bottom edge.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a Devi puja at an outdoor stage. A large goddess murti with many arms, dark flowing hair and a lion mount stands at the centre, framed by white floral arches, garlands and a canopy of green leaves. Several smaller murtis flank her. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti holds a brass vessel and raises one arm toward the altar. Another white-clad priest kneels at the platform, and a seated man in orange robes with white markings sits to the right, his palms together. Young girls in red and maroon clothes sit among the worshippers, and oil lamps and brass vessels stand on the white platform steps, with flower petals scattered across the cloth.2010-10-16A night puja at a decorated shrine with a large deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, framed by white floral arches and a garland-draped figure. A fire pit with burning flame sits on white tiered steps in front. Several priests in white dhotis, one in a yellow cloth, perform the ritual; one standing priest in white holds a vessel toward the fire. Young girls in red and maroon dress sit near the shrine. At right, a seated elderly man in a saffron-orange robe with white-striped forehead and arm markings sits with hands joined, beside a person in a white turban and another in white. Hanging mango leaves, lanterns and brass oil lamps decorate the scene.2010-10-16A photograph of a puja at a decorated shrine. A large deity murti of a goddess with many arms, holding weapons, dominates the center, framed by a white ornate arch and flanked by smaller murtis and a Ganesha figure. Two priests in white dhotis, one bare-chested, stand and kneel at a white offering platform holding a brass vessel, while a third priest sits beside them. Several young girls in red and maroon dresses sit near the shrine. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha, and a tiered brass lamp sit on the platform, with mango leaves strung across the top and a fringed canopy above. On the right, a man in orange robes and white hair sits with hands folded in namaskar, and a white-clad attendant stands nearby.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night puja at a temple-like hall decorated with orange cloth, leaf garlands, paper lanterns and fringed umbrellas. At centre stands a large white-framed goddess murti with many arms, a lion mount beneath her. In front, a white altar holds a small fire and oil lamps. A priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace kneels and tends the fire while another priest in white stands behind him. A seated elderly man in saffron-orange robes with a turban and white beard sits in a cushioned chair at right, hands folded in reverence, next to an attendant in orange. Several young girls in red and gold dresses sit near the altar and small children in white shirts and dark clothing watch from the foreground. Visible printed banner text on the right wall.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time Chandi Homa ritual before a large white-and-silver decorated shrine with a multi-armed Devi murti seated on a lion, flanked by smaller goddess figures and framed by a white arch. In front, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands raising a hand near the altar, a younger man in white kneels assisting with a brass vessel, and several young girls in red and gold dresses sit near the shrine. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha, flower garlands and a yagna pit with flames are arranged on a white-draped platform. On the right, a bare-chested man with ash-marked body and dreadlocks sits on a cushioned seat with a saffron cloth, and a seated figure in white is nearby. A cameraman films at left; a row of heads of seated devotees is visible at the bottom edge. Strings of mango leaves and colourful pillars decorate the hall.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time photograph of a Navaratri puja at a temple-like stage decorated with green leaf garlands and string lights. A large white-and-silver decorated deity murti of the goddess stands at the back, with a lion mount and a row of smaller decorated figures. In front, a bald priest in a white dhoti and white shawl raises his right arm and holds a brass vessel, while another white-clad attendant in a yellow-trimmed dhoti kneels nearby. A bare-chested man with white-painted markings on his torso sits on the right beside a white armchair, and young girls in red and gold clothes stand in the background. Brass lamps, a bowl and flower petals rest on the white steps of the altar, with a sheet-draped platform in the foreground.2010-10-16