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A 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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 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 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 copiesNight photograph of a Navaratri-style puja at an ashram pandal decorated with large white and gold sculpted deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a lion, an elephant-headed Ganesha in pink, and other standing deities garlanded in marigolds. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with pink lotus flowers in their hands, while a shaved-headed priest in white sits in front of a wooden stand with brass lamps, bowls and offerings. On the right, an ornate gold-and-red throne holds a seated figure in white, and a man in white with a gold chain sits beside it. Red string lights and oil lamps glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16A nighttime Navaratri puja at an ashram shrine decorated with white floral backdrops and strings of lights. A large deity murti with a lion mount stands at the centre, flanked by a pink Ganesha figure with red garland and other murtis. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with flowers and offerings, some holding flowers in folded hands. Smoke rises in the background. On the right, a man in white with a saffron turban and rudraksha mala sits on an ornate red and gold throne, while a bald priest in front raises his arm near brass lamps and offering plates. Several white-clad attendants stand behind the shrine.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16