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Photograph of a Navaratri Chandi Homa puja at night inside a decorated pandal. Behind the ritual area stands a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a red-and-gold saree, holding weapons, beside a lion; other white and colourful murtis and flower-garlanded figures surround it, and strings of red lights hang overhead. In front, several women in maroon, red and gold sarees sit on the floor holding pink flowers, while a shaven-headed man in white dhoti with a bare upper body raises his hand in blessing near a wooden stool with a brass lamp and offering plates. A man in orange robes sits to the right, and an empty ornate red-and-gold throne stands at the back. Brass lamps, flower petals and small offering dishes cover the floor.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time puja inside a decorated pandal before large white-and-gold deity figures, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount and a pink-bodied elephant-headed figure at left. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor holding pink lotus flowers, while others in white garments kneel nearby. Brass oil lamps and kalasha vessels stand among scattered flower petals. A wooden seat is in the foreground, and behind a gold-trimmed red throne a robed man in white sits with a shaved head and a garland, beside an orange-robed sadhu with bare shoulders and sacred ash markings. Strings of red fairy lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a Navaratri-style puja at an ashram pandal decorated with large white and gold sculpted deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a lion, an elephant-headed Ganesha in pink, and other standing deities garlanded in marigolds. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with pink lotus flowers in their hands, while a shaved-headed priest in white sits in front of a wooden stand with brass lamps, bowls and offerings. On the right, an ornate gold-and-red throne holds a seated figure in white, and a man in white with a gold chain sits beside it. Red string lights and oil lamps glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA nighttime Chandi Homa ritual under a open-sided canopy strung with orange triangular flags and multicolored hanging tassels. On the left, a large clay deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and a red-and-white ornate backdrop, flanked by a lion-like figure and fruit offerings including watermelon and bananas on a red cloth. In the foreground, several young women in maroon and red sarees sit cross-legged on a orange cloth-covered platform, one holding a flower. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, lifting a ritual implement above a wooden homa altar with smoke rising. Behind them, a seated figure in orange robes sits on a white throne-like seat beside a few other seated people, with an audience of several dozen devotees in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual in an outdoor temple pavilion lit by warm string lights and a bright floodlight. Central deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, draped in red and orange garments and garlanded with flowers, stands on a lion-shaped base beside a large white decorated arch. To the left, an elephant-headed deity figure with pink skin and red garland stands among other murtis and umbrellas. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon silk saris sit cross-legged on a floor covered with flower petals and offerings, some holding flowers. Brass oil lamps and a kalasha-like vessel sit on the mat. A man in white sits with a drum-like instrument at lower right. On the right, a gilded red throne holds a seated man in white clothing with a turban and gold necklace, while attendants in white stand nearby. Smoke rises in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at night before a tall altar of deity murti, including a large goddess figure seated on a lion and a figure of Ganesha with a garland. Five young women in red, orange and saffron saris sit cross-legged on a raised platform holding pink and orange flowers. In the foreground a bald priest with bare upper body raises one arm toward a fire pit and brass oil lamps, while flower petals and offerings lie on the platform. Strings of lights and a canopy decorate the background, and two white-clad men stand on the right near the altar.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight-time photo of a homa/puja at an outdoor pandal. In the foreground, several young women in red and maroon sarees sit on an orange-draped low platform, one with hands held together in prayer, with fruits, flowers, brass plates and bowls laid out before them. Behind them a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with green border pours or offers from a vessel beside a fire pit with rising smoke. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red and gold throne near a deity murti decorated with white flower garlands. Strings of marigolds, orange triangular flags and tassel-hung poles frame the scene, with festive lights and a poster at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa ceremony under a tin-roofed pavilion with smoke rising in the air. On the left, a decorated deity murti of Goddess Durga with a crown and red-and-gold clothing sits beside a Ganesha figure, flower garlands and fruit offerings. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at a fire pit, holding a ritual vessel, while a row of women in red and maroon saris sit on the orange cloth before offerings of fruit, coconuts and brass plates. Behind, a golden-armed throne is occupied by a robed figure, with other seated attendees near it. Bunting and hanging tassels decorate the ceiling, and a large crowd of devotees sits on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesEvening outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof at night. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a maroon border stands at right, holding a lamp or incense toward the altar. Seated along a long orange-draped table, several young women in red and maroon saris and sitting in a row handle offerings and flower petals. Behind them sit more devotees. On the left stand large decorated murtis of a goddess and an elephant-headed deity with a white floral backdrop and a lion mount, flanked by a decorative parasol. Bowls of fruit, sweets, brass plates and coconuts fill the table. Strings of triangular flags and hanging bunting decorate the canopy, and red and white lights glow in the background. A bearded man in white sits at far right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a nighttime Chandi Homa ritual before a decorated altar with several deity murtis, including a Ganesha figure in pink with a red garland and a goddess murti draped in white and red flowers and garlands, with a lion figure below. Around six young women sit cross-legged on a mat in red, orange and gold saris, holding pink and yellow flowers and wearing rudraksha malas. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with his back to the camera tends a fire pit with smoke rising. Brass oil lamps, kalasha vessels, marigold and rose petals, and string lights in the background complete the scene, with a few standing attendants in white at the right edge.2010-10-16 +1 copies