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A 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Evening 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.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.2010-10-16October 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.2010-10-16Night ritual before a large decorated deity murti of Durga, a goddess with multiple arms holding weapons, framed by a white floral arch and silver-and-pink decorations. Several priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies stand and kneel on a white-and-orange platform, one holding a brass vessel and another raising a hand; a seated priest with ash-marked body makes offerings. Women in red and maroon saris sit in rows behind, oil lamps burn on the altar, and string lights and leafy garlands hang overhead. A man in a saffron-orange dhoti and white turban sits on the right beside a white chair, marked with white ash on his body, participating in the puja.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesEvening ritual on a raised platform before a large white-framed deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons and seated on a lion, decorated with garlands and flanked by smaller painted and ornate figures and umbrellas. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls with gold neck ornaments and sacred threads sit or stand around offering trays and brass lamps. One priest in a white shirt and yellow cloth holds a tray while another drapes a red cloth near the murti. Plates of red flowers, fruit and sweets are arranged on the platform, and strings of leaves and coloured lights decorate the orange-walled setting. This appears to be a puja or homa with offerings.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 20102010-10-16A night-time ritual in a decorated temple pavilion with a large goddess murti dressed in white and red, framed by an ornate silver arch and surrounded by smaller deity images and oil lamps. In the foreground a man in white ritual cloth sits cross-legged before a black square fire pit or yagna altar with brass vessels and marigold petals. A man in white with a turban holds a silver tray, while a standing man in a saffron-orange robe and a shaved-headed sadhu with white-painted markings and a bare upper body hold a flame, consistent with a homa or aarti. Several young boys in white sit on the left near the deity. Red and multicolored hangings and string lights decorate the background, and a cream armchair stands at right.2010-10-16