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A photograph of a nighttime homa ceremony on a raised stage under a covered pavilion, lit by strings of lights. A fire burns in a central fire pit in front of a white-and-gold decorated deity murti of a goddess with a crown, surrounded by smaller white floral-decorated murtis. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl sits at the fire, while another priest in white stands nearby. A figure with long hair, bare-chested and adorned, sits on a cream throne to the right, and a man in orange robes stands beside it. Women in red and maroon saris sit before the stage in rows. Offerings, brass vessels, and a kalasha-like arrangement lie on a cloth at the front, with colourful festival hangings and green leaf garlands overhead.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual in an open-air pavilion decorated with string lights, hanging fabric tassels and green leaf garlands. A large deity murti in red and gold is decorated with white flower garlands and fronted by an ornate canopy. Several priests in white dhotis sit cross-legged on a raised orange-draped platform performing a puja, one with a lit lamp or offering in hand. Male and female devotees in white and red clothing sit on the ground in rows facing the platform, and a small figure sits on a red chair at right. A printed banner on the right carries Telugu/Kannada script and a phone number. Smoke rises in the lamplight.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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-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 photograph of an evening homa at a festival stage decorated with a white floral arch, strings of green mango leaves and fairy lights. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested with a sacred thread, holds up a flaming lamp over a fire pit where a young assistant in white kneels. Several young girls in red and maroon dresses sit behind the fire pit. Painted and sculpted deity figures stand in the background, including a figure with a trident-like weapon. On the right, a seated man in a white shawl and cream turban sits on a red and gold throne with hands folded, beside an attendant in orange robes. A crowd of devotees is visible in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies