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Night-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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a Chandi Homa setting under a open-sided shelter with a tin roof. Three men in white dhotis, bare-chested, stand and kneel beside a square white-edged fire pit (homa kund) scattered with marigold and rose petals and brass vessels. The man at right kneels bent over the pit with hands near its edge, while a standing priest in white with a white head wrap holds his hands together in namaskar. Behind them stand large clay deity murtis in bright robes and crowns, including a goddess with multiple arms and a lion, with brass lamps and a ceremonial parasol above. Strings of fairy lights and a green leaf garland hang in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photograph of a homa ritual under a temporary pandal. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with gold necklace sits at a white fire pit with a dark square hearth, next to brass vessels and small oil lamps. A second priest in white raises a white ceremonial umbrella above the scene. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with garlands, flanked by smaller figures and draped women in red and maroon saris. To the right, a figure in white with a turban sits on an ornate red and gold throne, while bearded sadhus in saffron and orange robes sit nearby. Strings of lights, hanging tassels and a banner decorate the hall.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an ashram shrine. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha-style necklace, holds a flaming lamp over the fire pit area near a white-tiled raised altar. Seated priests in white clothes and bead necklaces are at left and right, with a shaved-head devotee in white at the right edge. Behind the altar are large colourful deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion and a Ganesha figure, decorated with white and silver tinsel-like ornamentation, marigold garlands and an ornate umbrella. Strings of fairy lights, hanging coloured cloth decorations and a tiled floor with flower petals complete the scene. Several young boys in white sit in the background.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor homa at a fire pit before a large white-and-silver Devi murti with a lion mount. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red border and gold necklace stands at center, raising his hand over the flames while a kneeling priest in white holds a silver bowl. Smoke rises across the frame. Women in red and orange saris sit in rows on the right, and red and white flower garlands decorate the murti. Marigold petals scatter the stone platform, with brass lamps, a bell and fruit offerings in front. String lights glow behind the scene.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-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.2010-10-16