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Three women sit cross-legged on an orange and gold cloth before a large white and multicoloured deity murti with a lion, in an ornate temple setting. The women wear red and orange silk saris with gold borders and rudraksha-style beaded necklaces; the woman on the right holds a pink lotus. Flower petals and marigold garlands are scattered on the steps and floor. Brass oil lamps burn at left, and a golden shaped stand is in front. At right, a shaven-headed man in white and red cloth is seated on a red throne-like seat, with an orange cloth draped over his lap, making an offering. Behind them are white deity statues decorated with garlands and a decorative umbrella.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Three women sit cross-legged on a mat before a large image of a goddess with a lion, surrounded by white ornamental backdrops and a golden umbrella. The women wear red and orange silk saris and rudraksha malas; the woman on the left holds a red flower, the middle woman holds a pink lotus, and the woman on the right holds a pink lotus with a green fruit. Flower petals in yellow, purple and white cover the floor and steps, and a brass oil lamp with a flame stands at the left. A man in white clothing sits on a red-cushioned seat at the right edge, partly visible, with an orange cloth on his lap. Garlanded deity murtis stand behind, including one with a trident. The setting appears to be a puja or Chandi homa ceremony.2010-10-16 +1 copiesThree women sit cross-legged on a mat strewn with flower petals in front of a shrine of goddess murti. Left to right: a woman in a dark red sari with dark blouse and glasses, a younger woman in a red and gold sari with a pendant, and an older woman in a red sari with orange blouse and a dark beaded mala, each holding a pink lotus flower. Behind them stand large colourful goddess murtis with multiple arms, one riding a lion, draped in white lace-like backdrops and purple and yellow garlands. A brass oil lamp and brass plates with fruit and offerings sit in front. At the right edge a bald man in an orange and red cloth sits by a seated figure in white, and a pedestal fan is visible. The setting appears to be a puja or devotional ritual.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ritual before a decorated shrine of deity murtis, including a large Ganesha figure with pink skin and red garland and a goddess murti with a lion beside her, all garlanded in white and yellow flowers, with strings of fairy lights behind. Six young women sit in a row on purple and red cloth, wearing red and orange sarees with flower garlands and holding pink and yellow flowers, several with rudraksha-style mala necklaces. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest with bare back faces the fire pit, a sacred fire smoking before him, with brass oil lamps and offerings nearby. Other white-clad priests stand at the right with ceremonial gold necklaces. Flower petals scatter the ground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a Hindu ritual in progress before a large decorated shrine. Several women sit in a row on red and purple cloth, wearing red and orange saris with flower garlands and holding pink lotus flowers and marigold blossoms; a rudraksha-style mala is visible on the woman at left. Behind them stand large deity murtis, including a pink-faced Ganesha with a red garland and a goddess murti with long dark hair and red garlands, decorated with white lace-like arches, umbrellas and string lights. Brass oil lamps with lit wicks stand among flowers and offerings. In the foreground at right, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and upper cloth sits facing the shrine, holding a ritual item. Other white-clad attendants are visible in the background at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual inside a temple hall before a group of goddess murti images decorated with white floral cutouts, garlands and a lion or tiger mount. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red border and gold necklace sits with his back to the camera, near a lit brass oil lamp and flower-strewn steps. Two women seated on a mat in orange and red saris, one with a pink lotus in her hands, are in meditative stillness, while another seated figure in red and orange clothing sits at right. Marigold and rose garlands hang on the deity images, and a decorated umbrella is visible at upper right. The scene appears to be a puja or homa in progress.2010-10-16A nighttime photograph of a Navaratri devotional scene with women seated in a row on a raised platform before large decorated deity murtis. Six women in red and maroon saris wear marigold garlands and hold pink flowers and offerings in their hands. Behind them, a tall goddess murti with many arms and a white-and-silver adorned figure stand within white lace-trimmed arched shrines flanked by vivid painted forms. A lit oil lamp stands at center, and a priest in orange-brown dhoti stands at the left edge. A photographer in white kurta stands to the right of the central murti. Strings of green leaves hang overhead. The scene suggests a puja or aarti during the Navaratri festival.2016-10-10Five women sit in a row on a raised stone platform before large painted deity murtis at night, with a small oil lamp and a fire burning near them. Each wears a garland of white and yellow flowers over a saree in red, maroon, or green. Several hold pink lotus-like flowers in their hands, and the central woman in maroon wears a dark head covering. Behind them stand decorated murtis, including a Ganesha with a pink trunk and a multi-armed goddess, all draped in garlands and surrounded by white lace-like arches. Devotees' heads are visible in the lower edge of the frame. The setting suggests a puja or aarti during the Navaratri festival.2016-10-10A 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 copiesNight puja before a large white-and-silver decorated deity murti of a multi-armed goddess standing on a lion, holding weapons, with a curved white arch and fringed canopy above. Two priests in white dhotis stand and sit before a low platform with brass vessels, a kalasha and lit oil lamps. A priest in bare-chested white pours from a vessel at left while a seated priest in white attends at right. Several young girls in red-and-maroon dress sit near the altar, and an adult in white and an orange-clad figure sit at the right edge. Flower garlands and banana-leaf toran decorate the scene; smaller deity murtis flank the main figure.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a festive puja on a raised stage before large painted and decorated deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a sword and a Ganesha figure at left, all draped in white lace-like arches, marigold garlands and green leaf strings. Five or six women sit in a row in the foreground wearing red, maroon and green saris with flower garlands, holding pink flowers and offerings; a brass oil lamp burns at the left. A man at the left edge wears an orange-red cloth and a red turban-style head covering. Spectators' heads appear at the bottom edge.2016-10-10October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies