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Night outdoor ritual at a decorated puja space. Center foreground, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and shawl sits behind a white-draped altar, his right hand raised in blessing, as a seated attendant in white clothes tends brass oil lamps and flower-strewn offerings. A boy in white dhoti sits at the left edge near a purple cloth. Behind the altar, a large red throne with gold trim holds a man in white robes, flanked by a second seated figure in saffron-orange cloth on a cream chair. An ornate deity murti with a flower garland stands at the far left under strings of red lights, and a decorated festival tent with leaf bunting hangs above. Rows of seated devotees in white and red fill the right side, facing the altar. Smoke haze and oil lamps light the scene.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held outdoors beside a deity tableau. Colourful painted deity murtis with ornate garments and garlands stand at the left, lit by string lights and brass lamps. In the centre, a white-clad priest with a shaved head sits at a square homa/yagna fire pit decorated with flower petals, gesturing with his right hand. Before him, a boy in white and a girl in a green and red dress sit near purple cloth and offerings. Behind the fire, a figure in orange and red sits on a red-cushioned throne, and another seated figure in white with a shawl sits on a white chair; their identity cannot be confirmed from appearance. Many devotees sit on the ground at right, many in red and white clothing. A banner of green leaves hangs overhead.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa fire ritual held outdoors under a canopy of leaves and string lights. At centre, a square homa pit lined with flower petals sits before a red and gold throne; a seated figure in white dhoti and white turban with a shawl faces the fire, and another seated figure in orange-brown robes sits on a white chair beside him, with smoke rising. Priests in white dhotis sit on the floor, one in white with a bare shaved head near the pit, and young boys in white dhotis and orange sashes sit at the left edge. Brass oil lamps, a purple cloth, fruit, rice and a tray of offerings are arranged in front. On the left stands a deity murti or decorated idol with garlands and a flower-decorated altar. A large crowd of seated devotees, many in white and colourful saris, fills the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight-time homa ceremony in an open pavilion decorated with green leaf garlands, hanging cloth banners and orange-fabric canopy. In the foreground, a square fire pit lined with white marble-like border and filled with ash is flanked by brass pots, plates of offerings, a kalasha-like metal vessel and a bowl of oil. A shaved-headed priest in white clothes with a red waist cloth sits cross-legged at the pit, while another white-clad priest with a sacred thread and beaded necklace sits to the left beside a brass oil lamp. A seated figure in a white dhoti and white cloth, with a white turban and chain necklace, sits on an ornate red and gold throne at the back left. Devotees in orange and red sarees and white shirts sit in rows on the floor facing the fire pit.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time puja in a decorated pavilion. Several large deity murtis stand on the left, including a figure with multiple arms and a lion mount beside a white-and-blue ornate arch, with a smaller murti in pink garlanded with yellow flowers. Brass oil lamps stand on the floor and a tray of fruit sits in front. Five or six boys in white dhotis, some with rudraksha malas, sit on a purple cloth near the lamps. At right, a red and gold throne stands empty behind a seated priest in white with a shaved head. An older figure in orange-brown robes sits on a white chair beside it. Fairy lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor homa pavilion decorated with mango-leaf garlands, hanging cloth bunting and a circular golden ring motif. In the centre a fire pit burns on a low platform; a standing priest in white dhoti with red border holds an object at chest height. A large red-and-gold throne is occupied by a seated figure in white. Brass oil lamps stand on the left beside trays of bananas, limes, coconuts, turmeric and kumkum. Behind them a decorated deity murti with garlands. Several children in red and maroon outfits sit in front, and a bald man in white with a gold necklace sits on the right beside a brass vessel. Rows of seated devotees fill the background.2010-10-16Night ritual under a decorated pavilion with hanging bunting, leaf garlands and a large golden-outlined ring motif on the back wall. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with red borders stands at right, raising one hand while a woman in a red sari holds a silver vessel. Center left, a man in white with a turban sits on a red-and-gold throne-like seat, another man with a shaved head and white garments sits beside a fire-pit altar strewn with flowers. A seated figure in orange robes sits on a stone seat behind. Brass lamps and fruit offerings stand at left, with several women and girls in red and green saris seated in front. Crowd in the background.2010-10-16