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A Chandi Homa ritual at an ashram shrine before a large deity murti of Durga with multiple arms holding weapons, surrounded by white floral and lace-like decorations. A man in a white dhoti and white cloth at the top of the frame, bare-chested with a thin shawl, stands at left offering a fruit onto a fire-pit or offering table lined with white stone steps, while a young girl in a red and gold dress reaches to place an orange. Another girl in a red outfit sits at right, and a seated priest in white dhoti with a yellow cloth, bare-chested, tends the offerings with dried sticks and flowers in brass plates. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands and marigold petals fill the foreground, and a figure in orange at far right is partly visible.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a Devi puja at a temple shrine with large painted and sculpted goddess images behind, including a lion-mounted multi-armed Durga figure and a white-clad goddess murti garlanded in yellow flowers. Seated on the floor in the foreground, a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with a yellow border and gold chains gestures toward brass oil lamps and a stand of offerings. Three young girls in red and maroon saris with jewelry sit beside him, one holding an orange. At right, an older man with white-marked bare torso and a saffron-orange garment performs a gesture near a red-cushioned seat, and a standing figure in orange robes is partly visible at the edge. Scattered flower petals, plates of ash-like material and a silver tray lie on the mat. Four to five visible people, seated devotees and priests in ritual dress.2010-10-16A temple puja scene before a large multi-armed deity murti of Durga with a red-and-gold figure on a lion-like mount, flanked by additional goddess figures in white and red adornments. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl kneels at a low white altar, pouring offerings from a small vessel, with a small silver-and-red decorated image on a peetha. Oil lamps burn on brass stands, and a standing attendant in white dhoti holds a lit lamp. Three young girls in red and maroon saris sit to the right, with garlands of flowers and marigold petals scattered on the altar. Dried twigs and offering plates lie in front.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a ritual homa at a temple shrine. Two priests in white dhoti and unstitched upper cloth stand at a white stepped fire pit, one bending over it and holding a bowl. A young girl in red and gold traditional dress kneels beside the fire pit. Behind them, a large deity murti of Durga with many arms and a lion mount is garlanded, with a smaller white-clad goddess figure nearby. Brass oil lamps, silver vessels, fruit, and scattered flower petals surround the altar, and a third person in white stands at the left edge.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Indoor ritual scene at a Chandi Homa with a shrine of deity murtis. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti leans over a white altar-platform, offering a red apple toward a woman in orange sari who kneels and holds a small plate. A woman in white sari stands at the left holding a tray of apples and fruit. Several women in orange and red saris sit around the altar with flower offerings. Behind them stand a pink Ganesha murti garlanded with purple flowers, a white-clad goddess figure with a green and yellow garland, and a large Durga murti with multiple arms holding weapons, riding a lion. Brass oil lamps burn and brass vessels, bells and a pile of dried sticks sit on the altar. A coloured canopy hangs above.2010-10-16A photograph of a ritual inside a temple hall before a group of goddess murti images decorated with white floral cutouts, garlands and a lion or tiger mount. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red border and gold necklace sits with his back to the camera, near a lit brass oil lamp and flower-strewn steps. Two women seated on a mat in orange and red saris, one with a pink lotus in her hands, are in meditative stillness, while another seated figure in red and orange clothing sits at right. Marigold and rose garlands hang on the deity images, and a decorated umbrella is visible at upper right. The scene appears to be a puja or homa in progress.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A ritual scene before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, seated on a lion, with a bright halo and garlands; several other smaller murtis and a crowd of devotees stand behind. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and sacred thread sits with hands folded in anjali at a square white fire pit or homa altar with a dark central tray, brass bowls, oil lamps and scattered marigold petals. Several women in red sarees sit beside the altar, and an oil lamp burns nearby. Strings of lights and ornate decorative canopies fill the background.2010-10-16