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Night-time ritual photograph of a homa at a shrine decorated for a goddess. Three priests in white dhotis and shawls, with rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, perform the fire ritual over a white stone fire pit where a flame burns. The standing priest pours from a brass vessel, a kneeling priest tends the fire with a ladle, and another kneeling priest at left holds a brass pot. Behind them, several women in red and orange saris sit in a row. The backdrop holds a large white-framed deity murti with a multi-armed goddess figure and a lion mount, flanked by other painted and ornamented images, a fringed canopy, string lights and red and orange decorations. Marigold petals are scattered around the fire pit.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time ritual inside a decorated pandal before a large row of goddess murtis with silver halo arches, a lion mount and a central Durga-style figure with multiple arms. In the foreground a white-clad priest with shaved head and gold necklace pours liquid from a vessel onto a square white altar with a dark water-filled basin, while a second priest in white dhoti and shawl raises an arm above. A third priest kneels at right holding a brass bowl and lamp. Brass lamps, bells and small vessels sit on the altar, strewn with flower petals. Women in red and orange saris sit behind, and string lights glow at left.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual photograph in a decorated temple hall lit by string lights. Three men in white dhotis are at a white-and-black stone platform strewn with yellow and orange petals. The kneeling man on the left in a white dhoti and gold necklace pours from a vessel. A bald man in white stands behind him holding a container aloft. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a gold necklace and bangle holds a brass lamp over the platform. Women in red and maroon saris sit in the background. Behind them a large decorated backdrop shows a goddess murti with a lion and silver ornamentation under a canopy. Brass bowls, a bell and kalasha vessels sit on the floor. This appears to be an abhishekam or puja at a deity murti.2010-10-16Night-time homa ritual under a temporary pandal with a tiled roof and hanging festive lights. At the centre, a bald priest in white dhoti and shawl pours from a brass vessel over a white fire-altar platform, with brass bells, a bowl and a small lamp set before him. Another white-clad priest kneels and assists beside a sprinkle of petals. Behind, women in red and maroon saris sit in rows, several wearing gold jewellery. Above the altar stand large decorated deity murti, adorned with white floral garlands and an umbrella canopy. Scattered wood sticks lie on the white cloth in the foreground.2010-10-16Night-time outdoor ritual at a square stone fire pit (homa/yagna) with a lit flame rising from it. A standing priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace holds a lit oil lamp or ritual flame aloft. Around the pit, several shaved-headed men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas sit with plates of offerings, flowers and grain, and some have palms joined in prayer. On the right, decorated deity murti of Ganesha and a lion-mounted goddess stand under garlands, with a lit torana of coloured lights and hanging green leaf garlands overhead. Ceremonial brass lamps and kalasha-style vessels sit on the floor.2010-10-15A night-time homa ritual beside a deity shrine under a sheltered open courtyard. In the foreground, a bare-chested man with a shaved head and a gold-coloured necklace sits on a white cloth. A white-clad priest stands at left holding a flaming vessel or torch aloft. Boys in white dhotis and kurtas sit cross-legged around a black square fire pit or yagna kunda on a white marble platform, with brass plates and vessels of offerings, fruit and flower petals. Behind the pit, large white-and-silver decorated deity murtis under a white fringed umbrella, one adorned with red garlands. Strings of coloured lights and hanging lanterns decorate the scene. Several other white-clad people are visible in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph at an ashram temple beside a large white and gold deity display with several goddess murtis dressed in red and silver, one with a crown and trident-like emblems. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a black stone yoni-peetha platform on white steps, pouring liquid from a metal vessel onto the stone, while other priests and women in red and maroon saris stand or sit around. Brass bowls, oil lamps, a bell, flower petals and red lights frame the scene. A bald priest in white with a gold necklace holds an offering on the right. A tall striped pillar and a cloth canopy are visible.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna pit. Two shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and gold necklaces kneel and stand at a white stone fire pit (kunda) with a dark square central opening, one pouring liquid from a metal vessel. Behind them, women in red and maroon saris and sitting devotees gather beneath strings of red fairy lights. On the right, a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a silver-and-white decorated arch and an umbrella canopy is set up. Brass lamps, bells, a kalasha-style pot and flower petals surround the fire pit on a white cloth.2010-10-16Night ritual at a Chandi Homa: a square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform strewn with petals, with brass vessels, a bell, a spoon and a kalasha-like pot in front. Behind it a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms stands framed by ornate white decorative arches, with lamps and rows of murtis beside her. A man in white dhoti with bare chest and tilak holds a vessel at left, another in white stands pouring offerings, and a seated man in white with garland and a seated man in saffron robes sit at right. A figure in a white robe and white turban sits on a red and gold throne-like chair, while a bearded elder in saffron robes with white markings on his arms sits at right. Strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies