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A night ritual at a homa pit in front of a deity shrine decorated with white and flower-garlanded idols. Two priests in white dhotis with maroon borders stand at the fire pit: one kneeling at left pours liquid from a silver vessel, while a standing priest at center raises his hands in offering. Five women in maroon and red saris sit cross-legged on a mat facing the pit, one in a white-bordered red sari at right. A pink Ganesha murti and a red-clad deity murti with flower garlands sit at right, with brass lamps, a kalasha and a peetha-style decorative frame nearby. Strings of red lights and a colourful umbrella decorate the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Evening ritual at a homa fire pit before a decorated shrine with a large white-and-pink Ganesha murti and a white-plumed deity figure, strings of red lights behind. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red border and a gold necklace kneels at the left pouring liquid from a silver vessel into a brass bowl, while a second white-clad priest stands on a raised platform above. Several women in maroon and red silk saris sit cross-legged in a row, one holding a small pot, along with a girl in a red sari. A brass lamp and offering bowls sit at the fire pit's edge, and an umbrella with a golden finial is visible on the right.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16A night-time ritual photograph at a temple-like hall strung with small warm lights. Four women seated on the floor in silk saris (maroon, red and gold, and white with red border) hold offerings such as fruit and flowers in their hands. In front of them is a carved wooden seat with a wheel-like pattern, and a stone-edged yantra/homa area with brass vessels, fruits, coconut and a small lamp. On the left, a man in white dhoti with a red border pours or tends from a vessel, and another person in orange and gold kneels nearby. Behind, a pink and white decorated Ganesha murti and a decorated goddess murti stand beside a brass oil lamp and a garlanded arrangement. A decorative umbrella hangs above the altar.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time puja at a decorated shrine lit by oil lamps and strings of red fairy lights. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a stone platform holding a brass bowl, with a brass bell and small bowls set out. Behind him a second man in white stands pouring from a vessel. To the right, several women in red and maroon saris sit before large decorated deity murti with silver-white floral arches and a crowned figure. Marigold petals are scattered on the black stone slab. Brass lamps and a kalasha-like vessel are visible.2010-10-16Night-time homa ritual at an outdoor temple setting strung with coloured fairy lights and green bunting. A standing priest in white dhoti and bare upper body, with a rudraksha-style necklace, leans over a square fire pit filled with glowing embers and tends the fire with a long stick. Seated white-clad participants in the foreground, some with shaved heads and folded hands, watch and assist; brass trays of flowers and offerings sit near them. Behind the fire pit is a decorated shrine with a pink Ganesha deity murti, garlands of marigold and white flowers, a kalasha-style ornament and a decorated canopy.2010-10-15Night 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 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 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a Navaratri-style puja in a temple hall. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a red-bordered cloth over one shoulder, stands on a raised platform holding a ritual implement toward the shrine. Beside him a seated man in white with a gold necklace and sandalwood markings on his arms performs the rite, while a small girl in a red-and-gold dress sits near the fire pit. The shrine holds a pink Ganesha murti garlanded in purple, a white-decorated deity murti of the goddess with a lion mount, and a large brass oil lamp. Small children in red dresses sit among brass vessels, flowers and fruit. A small fire burns in a pit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies