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A nighttime puja before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with multiple raised arms holding weapons, framed by a white floral arch and flanked by smaller white-framed images of female deities garlanded in marigolds. Several ritualists in white dhotis and shawls, one bare-chested, perform worship with lamps and vessels; a standing priest in white lifts an oil lamp toward the murti while a seated priest tends offerings on a white platform. Young girls in red dresses sit close to the altar. Strings of green leaves and striped tassels hang above, with a fringed canopy overhead. Oil lamps and brass vessels rest on the altar steps, and marigold petals are scattered on the floor.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesOctober 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 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 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.2010-10-16A 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.2010-10-16A night-time Navaratri puja on an orange-draped dais under a canopy strung with leaf garlands and paper lanterns. At centre stands a large white-clad Devi murti with multiple arms, seated on a lion, flanked by smaller white-and-red decorated figures and a cushioned throne at right. Priests in white dhotis perform worship at a central puja table with brass lamps, plates and a kalasha-style vessel. A man in white plays a handheld instrument at left. At right a seated man with orange clothing, a rudraksha mala and striped shawl sits on a chair. Young girls in red and a boy in white sit near the altar. Children and adults in the foreground watch from below, their backs to the camera.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies