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Night photograph of a puja at a raised orange-draped stage before a large deity murti with many arms and a red-dressed form, decorated with lights and garlands. A shaven-headed young priest in white dhoti and white shawl with red borders kneels at the right, facing the altar. Several boys in white clothing sit along the left side near offerings of fruit, flowers and brass plates, while a seated priest on the right wears a gold necklace and white garments. A large carved wooden throne-like seat with a golden canopy stands at centre. Devotees sit on the floor at the far right. Hanging ornaments and leaf garlands decorate the pandal, with smoke rising in the background.

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Night-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.2010-10-16Night 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 outdoor ritual at a homa fire pit. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and yellow waist cloth kneels facing a lit fire on white stepped platform with flower petals. Behind, several white-clad men stand and hold a lit flame aloft on a plate, with one wearing an orange turban. Beside the fire, a large decorated deity murti with a crown, many arms and garlands, plus smaller figures, stands among brass oil lamps, fruit and offerings on a red cloth. Fairy lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at a pandal decorated with a large deity murti of a goddess in red and pink with a crown, lion mount, and tall garlands. In the foreground several young women in red and orange saris sit on a purple cloth with fruit, bananas, a watermelon, and brass plates of offerings. On the right a man in white ceremonial clothes with a red-bordered shawl performs a homa or puja beside a large wooden drum and a tall smoking fire vessel, while others in white sit nearby and a crowd watches. A hanging kalasha-style ornament and bunting decorate the canopy, and a red throne-like seat stands in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph of a homa/puja at an ashram. A bald man in white dhoti with maroon border stands barefoot on an orange cloth, holding a tray of fruit, while a seated man in white at left works at a brass tray. Several boys in white kurtas kneel at a decorated altar covered with scattered flower petals, brass oil lamps, and offering plates of fruit and sweets. Behind them, a crowd of seated devotees in white fills the hall under strings of leaf and flag decorations, with a colourful deity murti and festival lights at the right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a fire ritual under a covered open-air pavilion decorated with red and orange triangular bunting and hanging red tassels. In the foreground a bare-shouldered priest in a white dhoti kneels before a square fire pit with a flame and offerings, with a brass lamp and plates of fruit and flowers set out. On the right, a large deity murti with many arms holding weapons stands in ornate silver and red decorations, beside a lion figure and smaller figures and a lit string-light tower. Several white-clad priests stand in the background, one holding a lit flame on a brass vessel, while a standing man in an orange turban and white clothes raises a burning lamp.2010-10-16Night outdoor puja at a covered open-air pavilion with a large painted deity murti on the left, depicting a multi-armed goddess in red and blue, flanked by fruit offerings and marigold petals. A woman in a maroon and rose sari sits in front of platters of bananas, watermelon, apples and tomatoes. In the centre, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and shawl stands near a wooden stand with a red-cushioned throne behind it, while a monk in saffron robes stands by the throne. A man in white pours or offers from a vessel near a large wooden kalasha-like object. Background shows rows of seated devotees, hanging bunting and an Om symbol arch. Strings of lights and a Dasara-style setting are visible.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies