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Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor ashram pandal. A large white-and-silver decorated frame surrounds a Devi murti with multiple arms, red-and-white garlands and a lion mount beside her. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti kneels before a square homa fire pit emitting smoke, with brass bowls, a kalasha and marigold petals on the white platform. Behind, a seated group of young boys in white garments sits on the floor, and a man in white holds a microphone while standing near a red-and-gold throne. On the right, an ascetic in saffron-orange robes with a white-bearded face and rudraksha mala holds a brass tray. Strings of lights and a hanging lantern decorate the backdrop.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual at a Chandi Homa: a square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform strewn with petals, with brass vessels, a bell, a spoon and a kalasha-like pot in front. Behind it a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms stands framed by ornate white decorative arches, with lamps and rows of murtis beside her. A man in white dhoti with bare chest and tilak holds a vessel at left, another in white stands pouring offerings, and a seated man in white with garland and a seated man in saffron robes sit at right. A figure in a white robe and white turban sits on a red and gold throne-like chair, while a bearded elder in saffron robes with white markings on his arms sits at right. Strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16A night-time ritual in a decorated open pavilion with a large clay deity murti of a goddess riding a lion, adorned with white and silver decorations and flower garlands, with brass oil lamps lit in front. On the left, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti sits cross-legged before a square fire pit or homa altar with flower petals scattered around it. Behind him, several seated people in white and a standing man in white with a turban hold trays and make gestures. On the right, two standing men in saffron and orange-red robes, one with a bare chest and white body markings, join palms in reverence beside an empty cushioned chair. Hanging red and green pennants, flower decorations and twinkling lights frame the scene, with smoke rising in the background.2010-10-16Photograph of a nighttime homa ceremony before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, in a decorated hall with hanging lights and smoke rising. A man in white dhoti and white shirt kneels at a square fire pit, tending it with offerings, with brass vessels, lamps and flower petals on the white platform. To the right, a man in white robes and a white turban holds a plate of offerings. Beside him stands an older sadhu with a white beard, bare upper body, white markings on his arms, and a red-orange cloth wrapped around his waist. Behind them a red throne with gold trim sits empty, and other white-clad devotees are seated in the background.2010-10-16Night photo of a homa fire ritual at a temple-style setting decorated with string lights and a deity murti group with a lion and goddess figure on the left. Around a rectangular fire pit with an open flame, about seven men in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces perform the ritual, one pouring offerings. Plates of fruit, flowers, red kumkum-like powder and nuts sit on the cloth-covered tables. On a red throne with gold trim at the right, a framed portrait shows a seated figure in orange garments, labelled as a portrait without legible caption. Yellow and red bunting hangs overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual inside a decorated hall at a person ashram during Navaratri or Dasara worship. A large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, lion mount and ornate white and silver backdrop dominates the left, flanked by smaller figures and a canopy. In the centre, a young man in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a square white homa or puja platform with brass vessels, flower petals and a small oil lamp. Behind him, a man in white with a turban holds a brass plate, and an older man with white beard and white body markings in orange-red cloth stands at right beside a red and gold throne-like seat. Several boys in white sit on the floor, and string lights and incense smoke fill the room.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in a decorated hall. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and sacred markings pours an offering from a vessel over a white square fire pit where a dark fire burns, with brass bowls, a ghee vessel and flower petals around it. Behind the pit stands a large ornate deity murti framed by a silver arch, surrounded by people in orange and saffron robes. On the right, a figure in white is seated on a red and gold throne, with a sannyasi in orange robes and white-streaked forehead seated beside him. Strings of red lights and hanging fabric decorate the background. Smoke fills the air.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in progress before a decorated shrine with a large deity murti surrounded by floral garlands and white ornamental arches. A square fire pit with white marble edges sits in the foreground beside brass vessels, a bell, incense, and scattered flower petals. Smoke rises through the scene. Several priests in white dhotis and orange cloth sit on the floor, one wearing a rudraksha-style mala. On the right, a man in white ritual clothing sits on a red-cushioned throne with a gold frame, wearing a white turban and holding a plate, while a man in an orange cloth and white turban sits in a cream armchair beside him. Red fairy lights decorate the backdrop.2010-10-16 +1 copies