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A shaved-headed priest in a white dhoti with red-bordered shawl stands at left, bending toward a ritual fire-lamp held by a seated woman in orange sari. Behind them a large deity murti of Durga with multiple arms, holding weapons, stands on a lion, draped in white ornamental arch and garlands, flanked by smaller murtis including Ganesha in pink. Several women in orange and red saris sit on a white platform with brass lamps, kalasha-style vessels, flowers and offerings. The setting appears to be a puja or homa at a temple-like hall with leaf garlands overhead.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Photograph of a Chandi Homa-style puja before a large, elaborately decorated deity murti of a multi-armed goddess riding a lion, with a white lacework arch and mango-leaf garland overhead. Flanked by smaller white-framed murtis and a garlanded figure. Several seated women in red and orange saris and shawls sit in rows before the altar, one holding a flower. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left holding a tray of fruit, and a shaven-headed priest in white kneels at the altar's edge tending the fire area with brass lamps and vessels. Many devotees, seen from behind, sit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a Chandi Homa-style ritual before a large multi-armed goddess murti decorated with silver-white and shimmering ornamental arches and garlands. The central goddess rides or stands on a lion and holds weapons in several raised hands. Flanking deity figures, also ornamented with white silver backdrops, stand on either side. Ornate umbrellas hang above. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested with shaved head, stands at left holding a tray of fruit and offerings. Seated in front, women in red, orange and saffron saris and a few men in white cloth perform the puja, with brass oil lamps, kalasha vessels, flowers and plates of offerings on the platform. Along the bottom edge, a crowd of devotees sits watching the ceremony. No figure is clearly identifiable as a person.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual before a large deity murti of Durga seated on a lion or tiger mount, with multiple arms holding weapons, draped in red and wrapped in a white lace-like prabhavali and flower garlands. Flanking figures include Ganesha in pink and goddess murtis adorned with yellow and orange garlands, all under decorated umbrellas. Young girls in maroon and red sarees sit in front of the altar. On the right, a bare-chested man in white dhoti and gold chains sits with a dhoti-clad priest in white at the left edge. Brass lamps, offering plates with fruit and flowers, and a silver tray sit on the altar, with green leaf festoons overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual at a Chandi Homa-style puja before a large white-and-silver decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left holding a silver tray of fruit, while a bare-chested man in white kneels beside a brass plate of offerings. Three women seated on a raised platform wear red, orange and saffron saris and sit in front of smaller decorated deities, including an elephant-headed figure. Brass lamps, kalasha pots, flower garlands and leaf festoons frame the scene, and a crowd of devotees sits in the foreground.2010-10-16 +2 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual before a large multi-armed Durga murti seated on a tiger, decorated with white lace-like paper ornaments and a red-and-blue backdrop. Seated on a raised white platform are several women in orange and saffron saris and a few priests in white dhotis. A bare-chested priest in a white dhoti and shawl stands at the left, pouring or offering with a brass vessel. Oil lamps and brass vessels surround the platform, and a small pile of sticks sits in the foreground near a fire-pit area. On the right, a seated figure with white-striped forehead markings and an orange robe is present, and another person in white sits at the lower right. Other murtis in the background are dressed with garlands.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi homa ritual staged before a large decorated deity murti of Goddess Durga, who is seated on a lion and shown with multiple arms holding weapons, framed by white floral arches and a white canopy with fringe. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left, while several seated ritual assistants in orange and red saris and white garments tend the fire area and offerings. At right, a man with a shaved head and orange robe sits with bare upper body and orange cloth beside a white chair. Green leaf garlands hang across the backdrop and fruit and brass vessels sit on the platform. Devotees in the foreground sit facing the stage, and a banner at top left shows a tiger and a bird emblem.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA temple puja takes place in front of a large deity murti of Goddess Durga, depicted with multiple arms and a lion mount, adorned with white silver-look decorative arches, garlands and a canopy. To the left, a small Ganesha figure stands in a pink-and-white tableau. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at the left of the altar, while a seated priest in white and another in orange sit before a platter of fruit, flowers and oil lamps. Several women in red and orange saris sit in rows near the altar, and a figure in orange robes sits at the far right beside an armrest chair. Banana leaves and green garlands decorate the ceiling. Devotees in the foreground, mostly children and adults, watch from the bottom of the frame.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a ritual before a large decorated deity murti. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands centrally holding a lamp toward the shrine. Seated before the altar are devotees in red, orange and saffron saris and dhotis, and a bald man in white dhoti at left and a bare-chested man in orange cloth at right, plus other attendees. Offerings of fruit, flowers and brass vessels sit on the platform, and a lion figure is visible at the altar base. A crowd in the foreground watches from the bottom edge. A signboard reads Sri, and a Dasara-style banner is visible at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night puja before a large white-decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons, seated on a lion, framed by a white arched backdrop and flanked by smaller decorated murtis. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls perform rites: one standing at left in white holds a lamp, another seated at right in white with a gold necklace attends the ritual, and a kneeling figure in white near the front works at the altar. Brass oil lamps and a fire lit on a white stepped altar sit in front, with flower petals and a silver plate. Young girls in red and maroon dresses stand and sit around the altar, and a seated devotee in the foreground faces the scene. Hanging mango-leaf garlands and orange tassels decorate the canopy overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copies