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A photograph of an evening Chandi Homa at an ashram pandal decorated with red and orange drapes, strings of lights and a large deity murti framed by white floral arches. A priest in a white dhoti with a red border stands at left holding a silver tray and a brass plate. In the centre, a shaved-headed priest in white with a yellow cloth kneels beside a square fire pit, offering from a small bowl, while women in red and orange saris sit nearby with brass lamps and flowers. At right, a smiling young man in a cream turban and white garment with gold ornaments sits on a red-cushioned seat with an orange cloth draped over the armrest. Marigold petals are scattered around the fire pit and a brass vessel sits on the floor.

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A night-time photograph of a Chandi homa in a decorated hall. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold border kneels at a white and black square fire pit, pouring ghee with a ladle over the offerings while flowers lie on the pit's edge. Another priest in white stands at left, raising a brass vessel toward the fire. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with a canopy, flanked by smaller murtis and garlanded figures; several women in red and orange saris sit nearby. At right, a man wearing a cream-and-saffron turban, white garment and long gold necklace smiles while seated on a red and gold throne-like chair. Strings of lights and a brass plate sit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a Devi puja at an outdoor stage. A large goddess murti with many arms, dark flowing hair and a lion mount stands at the centre, framed by white floral arches, garlands and a canopy of green leaves. Several smaller murtis flank her. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti holds a brass vessel and raises one arm toward the altar. Another white-clad priest kneels at the platform, and a seated man in orange robes with white markings sits to the right, his palms together. Young girls in red and maroon clothes sit among the worshippers, and oil lamps and brass vessels stand on the white platform steps, with flower petals scattered across the cloth.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.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white floral backdrop and a canopy above. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises his arm beside a square fire pit with a dark ash surface, brass pots, oil lamps and scattered flowers. Smoke rises through the frame. Seated to the right, a man in white with a yellow shawl and bead necklace sits on a red and gold throne-like chair holding a tray, while beside him a man in orange robes with white markings on his arms and forehead sits on a cushion. Several other seated figures in orange and red clothing face the fire, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa fire ritual in progress beside a decorated shrine. A square white fire pit sits at centre with a dark ash-covered base and scattered flower petals on its steps. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at left, holding a silver vessel and pouring or offering toward the fire, while another priest in white at left edge pours with his arm extended. A seated man in white dhoti with a yellow cloth at the waist feeds sticks into the fire pit. Behind them, two women in orange and red saris sit on a mat. The backdrop shows large framed deity murti of goddess forms decorated with white and silver ornaments, a fringed canopy, and strings of red fairy lights. Smoke rises through the frame, and brass lamps and kalasha-style vessels sit on the mat in front. A figure in white robes stands at far right reading from a book.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photograph inside a covered temple pavilion during a Devi puja. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl kneels at the left, holding a brass vessel and a bell-shaped object, while a second priest in white stands behind him pouring from a vessel. Behind them is a large deity murti of Devi with multiple arms and a silver-framed halo, flanked by smaller murtis and decorated with string lights and red-and-white cloth. Several women in red and maroon saris sit in front, some with garlands. A black stone yantra or altar slab sits before the murti, surrounded by brass plates, oil lamps, flowers and kumkum-marked rice.2010-10-16A night-time homa scene in a decorated hall before a large deity murti of a goddess with many arms, flanked by smaller murtis and garlands of white and tinsel. A white-robed priest with a shaved head sits cross-legged at a square fire pit with flowers, facing the murti. To the right, an older bearded man with long white hair, white tripundra markings on his forehead and arms, rudraksha beads and a saffron-orange robe with gold trim sits with hands folded. Another man in a white cloth and cream turban sits nearby, and several young girls in red and dark dresses sit behind the altar. Lamps and red ceremonial cloth fill the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight ritual inside a temple hall decorated with a goddess murti in an elaborate silver and white arch, with painted deity images and red-and-gold hangings. A small white-clad boy sits at left, and a row of seated young boys in white garments watches. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti kneels at a white puja platform with brass bowls and flower petals. A standing man in an orange robe and a woman in a white sari hold a brass plate, while a bare-chested sadhu with white sandalwood markings and rudraksha malas holds a lit oil lamp aloft. Other standing figures wear saffron and white. Marigold petals, a small dark mat, and a bowl of offerings lie on the floor, and strings of coloured lights glow in the background; this appears to be an aarti during a festival.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a homa ritual at a square white fire pit with a dark central well, sprinkled with flower petals and surrounded by a dotted line of petals. Two priests in white dhotis stand and sit at the altar: a standing priest on the left holds a metal vessel and a ladle-like implement over the pit, while a second priest on the right, shirtless and wearing gold chains, pours from a bowl. A third man sits cross-legged in the foreground feeding sticks or twigs. Smoke rises from the pit. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti with silver ornamentation and a white arch stands beneath a canopy with a fringed top, flanked by smaller figures, with lit oil lamps and a string of red lights in the background. Women in red and orange saris sit to the right watching the ritual.2010-10-16