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A photograph of a Chandi Homa-style puja inside a decorated temple hall at night, with red and white fairy lights and orange hangings. A large white-and-gold framed deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands at the back, flanked by smaller painted and clay figures, and a red-and-gold umbrella hangs above. In the foreground, shaven-headed priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, wearing gold necklaces and vibhuti marks, sit before a black-topped white altar with brass bowls, a bell, flowers and a kalasha, performing the ritual. Several women in red and maroon saris sit nearby, and more devotees are seated in the background. Smoke rises from the ritual area.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night puja at a temple shrine before a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms, flanked by smaller decorated murtis and white-and-silver floral arches. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls, some bare-chested with gold necklaces, kneel at a square fire pit with brass vessels, bells and offerings of fruit and flowers on white cloth, while women in orange and red saris sit in rows behind them. A bearded man in a white shawl stands at the right holding a book. Red lights and orange drapery decorate the background, and the scene suggests a homa or puja ritual.2010-10-16A night-time Navaratri worship scene in a temple hall decorated with red and gold draping and fairy lights. A large image of a multi-armed goddess murti, with ornate silver-framed arch behind her, presides over the shrine. Several priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, one with a shaved head and gold chain, kneel at a raised white altar making offerings, lighting an oil lamp and preparing ritual items. Fruits on silver plates, brass bowls, a kalasha-style vessel and bundled twigs sit on a white cloth on the floor. Women in red and orange saris sit to the left, and a standing priest in white reads from a book at right. Roughly a dozen people are visible, including a seated figure in a white robe beside a red velvet chair. The scene reads as a Dasara puja.2010-10-16October 11 20102010-10-11A night-time ritual at a temple in Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam with a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess framed by white ornate arches, a golden canopy overhead, and red string lights. In front, a fire pit is lit and several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit at the homa platform, one tending the fire. Women in orange and red saris sit nearby. Brass vessels, a plate of fruit, bundled sticks and a small oil lamp lie on the orange mat. On the right, a man in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne with a seated attendant beside him, and a standing man in white and orange holds a book. A figure in white on the left stands in the background.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.2010-10-16A 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 copiesA photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held before a large Durga deity murti with a white floral halo, a lion mount, and a white parasol canopy overhead. A seated priest in white clothes and a flower garland kneels at a square fire pit (homa kund) with offerings and brass vessels on its white stone edge. Smoke rises through the hall. Behind, a shaved-headed elderly man with white body markings and a rudraksha mala stands, while a man in a yellow turban and white garments stands near a red and gold throne. Several boys and men in white sit on the floor, and decorative festive bunting and string lights hang in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesPhotograph 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.2010-10-16A night ritual in a decorated hall before a large white-and-gold deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount, framed by a tall ornamental arch and a red-and-white canopy. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and gold necklace kneels at a square fire pit (homa kunda) with a brass bowl and oil lamps, while others sit in white near offerings and flower petals. Standing to the right, a man in a white turban and white robe holds a silver tray, beside a man in a saffron-orange robe, and an elderly bearded sadhu with bare upper body, white forehead markings, a turban and red-orange cloth holds a ritual item. Strings of fairy lights glow behind them. Several people are seated near the murti and a few more stand at the back. Two figures in this group wear distinctive saffron or orange clothing but lack the required combined cues for identification, so a person is unsure.2010-10-16A photograph of a homa ritual at night in a covered pandal, with smoke rising from a square fire pit in the foreground. Behind it stands a large deity murti, a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white flower garlands and a white canopy overhead, flanked by additional painted and decorated figures. A man in white dhoti and shawl holds a silver vessel and stands at left, with other priests in white dhoti seated along the altar, some holding offerings. Brass pots, lamps and scattered flower petals fill the altar. Strings of lights and colourful hangings decorate the background. Several white-clad men and boys sit around the homa area.2010-10-16 +1 copies