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Night-time puja at a temple pavilion with large Durga murti figures on the left, a deity with a crown, garlands and multiple arms among them, one holding a sword. A young girl in a red and gold sari sits cross-legged on a purple cloth before a tray of fruits and offerings. On the right a priest in white dhoti with a red border stands at a homa fire, smoke rising, while another white-clad man in a yellow dhoti kneels at a wooden drum-like stand. A large red and gold throne-like chair sits in the centre, with brass oil lamps, a kalasha, banana and fruit offerings, and a watermelon in the foreground. Bunting and hanging om motifs decorate the ceiling. Many seated devotees fill the lower right.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at a pandal decorated with a large deity murti of a goddess in red and pink with a crown, lion mount, and tall garlands. In the foreground several young women in red and orange saris sit on a purple cloth with fruit, bananas, a watermelon, and brass plates of offerings. On the right a man in white ceremonial clothes with a red-bordered shawl performs a homa or puja beside a large wooden drum and a tall smoking fire vessel, while others in white sit nearby and a crowd watches. A hanging kalasha-style ornament and bunting decorate the canopy, and a red throne-like seat stands in the background.2010-10-16A night-time ritual photograph at an open-sided pavilion. On the left, a large decorated deity murti of a goddess in red and gold stands behind a table laden with fruit, bananas, a watermelon, kumkum and brass oil lamps. In the centre, a woman in a maroon and red sari sits on the floor placing an apple among offerings. On the right, a shaved-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with red borders stands with palms joined in prayer. Behind them, figures in white sit near a fire pit with smoke rising, and hanging tassels, leaf garlands and strings of marigolds decorate the ceiling.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual scene under a open-sided pavilion decorated with hanging colourful tassels, mango-leaf strings and circular ornaments. On the left stand large painted clay deity murtis, including a pink elephant-headed Ganesha and goddess figures in red and white garments. A seated woman in a maroon sari with a braid sits before an orange-topped altar holding fruit, plates and a flower-decorated platform. A standing man on the right, bare-chested with a white dhoti and white shawl edged in maroon, holds a lit aarti lamp toward the altar, with a small flame visible. Brass lamps, banana fruit, watermelon and offerings are arranged on white and purple cloths. A seated crowd of devotees fills the background.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at an ashram pavilion with a large decorated deity murti and clay figures on the left, including a red-clad goddess with a garland. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested, holds a lit flame aloft toward the altar while a woman in a dark red and brown sari sits at the foreground offering table. Brass lamps, fruits, plates of offerings and a ceremonial throne with red cushion are arranged on an orange-draped platform. Hanging colourful pennants and string lights decorate the canopy, and a seated crowd of devotees watches from the right. A throne-like seat is visible but no clear appearance-based candidate is identifiable, so a person is unsure.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA nighttime Chandi Homa ritual under a open-sided canopy strung with orange triangular flags and multicolored hanging tassels. On the left, a large clay deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and a red-and-white ornate backdrop, flanked by a lion-like figure and fruit offerings including watermelon and bananas on a red cloth. In the foreground, several young women in maroon and red sarees sit cross-legged on a orange cloth-covered platform, one holding a flower. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, lifting a ritual implement above a wooden homa altar with smoke rising. Behind them, a seated figure in orange robes sits on a white throne-like seat beside a few other seated people, with an audience of several dozen devotees in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesEvening outdoor puja under a covered pavilion decorated with hanging tassels and leaf garlands. On the left, large colourful deity murtis and a pink elephant-headed figure stand on a dressed table with fruit offerings, brass lamps and a green-leaf platter. A woman in a maroon-and-gold sari sits on an orange-and-white stepped platform, holding fruit and flowers. Facing her, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a red border holds a lit lamp or flame over a tray of offerings. Behind them, a red-and-gold throne and a crowd of seated devotees fill the background, with a lamp-lit dais and a camera visible at the lower right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16