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Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual under a temporary pandal. On the left, a large decorated deity murti of Durga with a lion and a figure of Ganesha stand on a white and gold altar draped with garlands. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti lies stretched out on an orange-draped platform beside a copper-brown vessel with a golden crown-shaped top, with offerings of fruit, flowers and brass plates before him. Several young boys in white dhotis sit on the platform and mats, and a standing priest in white attends the fire, where smoke rises. Devotees sit in rows in the foreground on the right, watching. Strings of lights and garlands decorate the tent.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual scene at a temple shrine lit by warm light. On the left, a large deity murti in red and gold with a crown and multiple arms stands beside a figure in white and pink, with a garland on her shoulder. On the orange-draped platform, several boys in white dhotis and shawls sit cross-legged, one holding a conch-like object while others chant or assist. A man lies prone on the platform at the front, legs extended, wearing white with a red-bordered cloth. Brass plates hold fruit, flowers, rice and offerings, with a kalasha and lamps nearby. Behind the platform, a homa or yagna fire pit emits smoke, and a few seated priests in white attend the ritual. Coloured string lights and hanging decorations fill the background, with a small crowd of onlookers visible at the right edge.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa or yagna ritual on an orange-draped raised platform with white-and-maroon striped edging. A priest in white dhoti with a maroon-bordered cloth kneels at the right beside a wooden yoga-style seat with a golden crown-shaped top, while another man in white lies prostrate in the foreground. Several young boys in white dhotis sit on purple cloth at left, one playing a small instrument. Brass plates hold fruit, flowers, rice and vessels, and a fire pit smokes in the centre. Behind, an elaborately decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, red and gold garments and a lion vahana is lit with string lights, with a crowd seated in the background.2010-10-16Night-time ritual at an outdoor pandal decorated with orange and yellow hangings and small fairy lights. Several young men in white dhotis with red-and-white borders kneel and bow on an orange-draped platform before a large clay-and-wood kalasha or pot set on a stand. Behind them a ceremonial deity murti with a red, gold and blue ornate backdrop stands among flower garlands and fruit offerings, with a Ganesha figure at left. Brass plates with flowers, fruit, betel leaves and grains sit on the platform. A man in white and gold stands at right with a long-handled ladle near the vessel. A crowd of devotees watches from the dark background, and a photographer's camera is visible at the left edge. Smoke rises from the ritual area, consistent with a puja or homa.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time puja on an orange-draped raised platform in front of a large deity murti with a decorated face and multiple arms, lit by strings of red lights. A shaved-headed young priest in white dhoti and shawl with red borders kneels in the foreground. Other white-clad boys and young men sit on the platform among fruit, flowers, brass plates and a kalasha, with a dark wooden peetha or throne behind them. A man in white with a gold necklace sits at the right edge. Hanging decorations and green leaves fill the upper frame, and the seated audience is at the right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual on a raised orange-draped stage under a tent roof with hanging green leaf garlands and coloured bunting. At left, a large painted deity murti with multiple arms and a lion mount stands beside a tiered lamp display. At centre, an ornate golden throne with an empty seat sits behind a wooden yajna-style vessel and brass plates of fruit, flowers and offerings, with smoke rising. A bald man in white dhoti and white shawl with red borders stands at right with palms joined in prayer. Several boys in white seated on a purple cloth assist at the offerings, and a large crowd of women in red and orange saris sits on the right.2010-10-16Night ritual on an orange-and-white raised platform under a canopy strung with green leaves and hanging tassels. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red borders stands with palms pressed together in namaskar beside a large wooden yajna vessel with smoke rising from it. Several young boys in white sit cross-legged on the left before a purple cloth covered with flower petals, fruit, brass plates and small oil lamps. To the left stands a large ornate deity murti of a goddess in red and gold, with a decorated arch and fairy lights behind. A rows of seated devotees in orange and red fill the right side, and a cameraman is visible at the far left edge.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in a decorated pandal lit with red fairy lights. A white-clad priest with a shaved head kneels at a square fire pit, tending it, while another white-clad priest sits beside him. Behind the pit stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a red-and-gold figure, flanked by smaller murtis, ornate white floral arches and a gold-fringed canopy. Women in orange and red saris and devotees in saffron sit on the platform. At right, a figure in a white turban and white dhoti sits on an ornate red-cushioned throne, with attendants in saffron and orange around him. Brass vessels, a silver kalasha-style pot, bowls of fruit, lit oil lamps, incense smoke and a folded white cloth lie in the foreground.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15