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Night photo of a Chandi homa-style puja before a decorated deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount, surrounded by white flower garlands and decorative umbrellas and kalasha-like structures. A bearded elderly sannyasi in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala, white tripundra markings on his arms and chest, and a crown-like gold headdress sits on a red throne on the right with his hands raised in blessing. A young man in white dhoti with a saffron shawl sits nearby holding a small object, while another attendant in white stands beside the throne. A boy in white kneels in prayer in the foreground beside marigold petals and offering trays, with other children in white seated behind. Strings of lights and bunting decorate the background.

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A night puja at an ashram shrine where a large deity murti stands in front of a white and silver decorated backdrop, with a white umbrella canopy above and flower garlands draped around the figures. On the right, a bearded elderly man with long matted hair, a rudraksha mala, white markings on his chest and arms, and an orange-saffron wrap sits on a white cushion with his hands in anjali. Beside him a younger man in a white turban and white cloth sits on a red-cushioned seat, and in front a shaved-headed man in white dhoti with a yellow border sits with hands joined near a brass lamp and scattered flower petals. Several boys in white clothes sit at the shrine, and an oil lamp and offerings are set on the steps. Coloured bunting and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time homa scene in a decorated hall before a large deity murti of a goddess with many arms, flanked by smaller murtis and garlands of white and tinsel. A white-robed priest with a shaved head sits cross-legged at a square fire pit with flowers, facing the murti. To the right, an older bearded man with long white hair, white tripundra markings on his forehead and arms, rudraksha beads and a saffron-orange robe with gold trim sits with hands folded. Another man in a white cloth and cream turban sits nearby, and several young girls in red and dark dresses sit behind the altar. Lamps and red ceremonial cloth fill the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA night puja before an elaborate deity shrine decorated with white ornamental arches, red and gold fabric and a large fringed canopy overhead. A seated man in white dhoti and white shawl with a yellow waist cloth sits on a mat in front, hands pressed in namaste amid scattered flower petals. Beside him, a man in a white turban and white cloth with an orange-red cloth draped over the seat folds his hands in prayer. On the right, an older bearded man in an orange-red robe, white tilak markings on his forehead and arms, and beaded mala necklaces sits on a white chair with hands joined in devotion. Small children in white are seated near the shrine, and a brass oil lamp burns at the front. Stringed lights glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph inside a decorated hall with a large elaborate deity murti of a goddess with a crown, lion mount and silver halo at left, and small figures seated near it. A man in white dhoti with white ash on his body sits cross-legged before a black stone yajna or homa fire pit strewn with petals and flanked by brass vessels and oil lamps. Standing at right, a man in orange robe and a bare-chested man in red-brown dhoti with white markings hold their palms together in prayer near a throne-like seat. A bearded man in white with an orange turban stands holding a silver tray. Smoke rises and strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual inside a temple hall decorated with a goddess murti in an elaborate silver and white arch, with painted deity images and red-and-gold hangings. A small white-clad boy sits at left, and a row of seated young boys in white garments watches. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti kneels at a white puja platform with brass bowls and flower petals. A standing man in an orange robe and a woman in a white sari hold a brass plate, while a bare-chested sadhu with white sandalwood markings and rudraksha malas holds a lit oil lamp aloft. Other standing figures wear saffron and white. Marigold petals, a small dark mat, and a bowl of offerings lie on the floor, and strings of coloured lights glow in the background; this appears to be an aarti during a festival.2010-10-16A night-time ritual in a decorated temple pavilion with a large goddess murti dressed in white and red, framed by an ornate silver arch and surrounded by smaller deity images and oil lamps. In the foreground a man in white ritual cloth sits cross-legged before a black square fire pit or yagna altar with brass vessels and marigold petals. A man in white with a turban holds a silver tray, while a standing man in a saffron-orange robe and a shaved-headed sadhu with white-painted markings and a bare upper body hold a flame, consistent with a homa or aarti. Several young boys in white sit on the left near the deity. Red and multicolored hangings and string lights decorate the background, and a cream armchair stands at right.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a Chandi homa in a decorated hall. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold border kneels at a white and black square fire pit, pouring ghee with a ladle over the offerings while flowers lie on the pit's edge. Another priest in white stands at left, raising a brass vessel toward the fire. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with a canopy, flanked by smaller murtis and garlanded figures; several women in red and orange saris sit nearby. At right, a man wearing a cream-and-saffron turban, white garment and long gold necklace smiles while seated on a red and gold throne-like chair. Strings of lights and a brass plate sit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual inside a decorated temple hall with a large deity murti of a goddess, surrounded by smaller painted clay-style figures and white floral halo arches. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold garland kneels beside a black square fire pit (homa kunda) on a white stepped platform, with flower petals and brass vessels nearby, and brass oil lamps and bells on the left. A child in white sits near the left lamp. Standing at right, a man in saffron robes with a bare torso and white body markings holds his hands in añjali, while another standing figure in white wears a yellow turban and holds a tray. Red and gold hangings and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copies