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Four women sit cross-legged on a purple cloth in front of a richly decorated deity altar at night. They wear red and orange saris with gold borders and hold pink lotus flowers in their hands with eyes closed in devotion. Behind them stands a large ornate murti of an elephant-headed deity with a purple garland, alongside other colourful sculptures and white floral decorations. Brass oil lamps and offerings surround the altar, and strings of lights glow above. A man in white dhoti and shawl stands at the right edge near a wooden seat, and several other people in white and orange stand in the background. The scene appears to be a puja or homa observance.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a seated row of women in red and maroon saris and blouses, sitting before an altar decorated with colourful deity murtis, marigold garlands, and strings of fairy lights. The woman in front, with long wavy hair, holds a pink lotus flower in her hands. Brass oil lamps, brass vessels, fruit including a watermelon and pineapple, and scattered flower petals lie on the altar before them. A shaved-headed man in white sits at the far right, wearing rudraksha malas, and appears to be performing the ritual. The setting is a night puja with flowers strewn across the floor.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at night before a tall altar of deity murti, including a large goddess figure seated on a lion and a figure of Ganesha with a garland. Five young women in red, orange and saffron saris sit cross-legged on a raised platform holding pink and orange flowers. In the foreground a bald priest with bare upper body raises one arm toward a fire pit and brass oil lamps, while flower petals and offerings lie on the platform. Strings of lights and a canopy decorate the background, and two white-clad men stand on the right near the altar.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time homa ritual before a decorated shrine of deity murtis, including a large Ganesha figure with pink skin and red garland and a goddess murti with a lion beside her, all garlanded in white and yellow flowers, with strings of fairy lights behind. Six young women sit in a row on purple and red cloth, wearing red and orange sarees with flower garlands and holding pink and yellow flowers, several with rudraksha-style mala necklaces. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with bare back faces the fire pit, a sacred fire smoking before him, with brass oil lamps and offerings nearby. Other white-clad priests stand at the right with ceremonial gold necklaces. Flower petals scatter the ground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesFour young women sit cross-legged on a purple cloth bordered with gold, seated in a row before a decorated altar during a ritual. The two left women wear red saris with gold borders and rudraksha malas; the third wears an orange sari over red; the fourth, at right, wears an orange sari. Each holds pink lotus flowers and loose flowers. Behind them stand deity murtis including Ganesha in pink with a red garland, a goddess figure in white with a yellow garland, and a lion-mounted goddess with a trident. Brass lamps, kumkum and turmeric plates, and flower offerings fill the altar area.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time puja inside a decorated pandal before large white-and-gold deity figures, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount and a pink-bodied elephant-headed figure at left. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor holding pink lotus flowers, while others in white garments kneel nearby. Brass oil lamps and kalasha vessels stand among scattered flower petals. A wooden seat is in the foreground, and behind a gold-trimmed red throne a robed man in white sits with a shaved head and a garland, beside an orange-robed sadhu with bare shoulders and sacred ash markings. Strings of red fairy lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual in an outdoor temple pavilion lit by warm string lights and a bright floodlight. Central deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, draped in red and orange garments and garlanded with flowers, stands on a lion-shaped base beside a large white decorated arch. To the left, an elephant-headed deity figure with pink skin and red garland stands among other murtis and umbrellas. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon silk saris sit cross-legged on a floor covered with flower petals and offerings, some holding flowers. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha-like vessel sit on the mat. A man in white sits with a drum-like instrument at lower right. On the right, a gilded red throne holds a seated man in white clothing with a turban and gold necklace, while attendants in white stand nearby. Smoke rises in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA photograph of a nighttime Chandi Homa ritual before a decorated altar with several deity murtis, including a Ganesha figure in pink with a red garland and a goddess murti draped in white and red flowers and garlands, with a lion figure below. Around six young women sit cross-legged on a mat in red, orange and gold saris, holding pink and yellow flowers and wearing rudraksha malas. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with his back to the camera tends a fire pit with smoke rising. Brass oil lamps, kalasha vessels, marigold and rose petals, and string lights in the background complete the scene, with a few standing attendants in white at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Hindu ritual in progress before a large decorated shrine. Several women sit in a row on red and purple cloth, wearing red and orange saris with flower garlands and holding pink lotus flowers and marigold blossoms; a rudraksha-style mala is visible on the woman at left. Behind them stand large deity murtis, including a pink-faced Ganesha with a red garland and a goddess murti with long dark hair and red garlands, decorated with white lace-like arches, umbrellas and string lights. Brass oil lamps with lit wicks stand among flowers and offerings. In the foreground at right, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and upper cloth sits facing the shrine, holding a ritual item. Other white-clad attendants are visible in the background at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies