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A night-time ritual in a pandal decorated with a large white fringed umbrella and a deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a red-and-white backdrop, flanked by a pink Ganesha figure. A bald man in white dhoti and white upper cloth with red border stands at right raising one hand in blessing, while a second man in white and yellow sits beside a brass lamp. Several women in red and maroon saris sit cross-legged on the floor, one in brown sari at left holding flowers. Brass lamps, a wooden pedestal, fruit and rice offerings in front, and orange and gold decorations complete the scene.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual at an open-air pandal decorated with a large white canopy and painted clay murtis of Ganesha and goddesses. In the foreground a seated woman in a maroon and gold sari holds a green fruit, while other women in red and maroon saris sit on an orange-draped platform laid with plates of red fruits, limes, a cut melon and flower petals. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border holds a lit aarti lamp with a tall flame. Strings of bulbs glow behind, with a wooden drum and brass vessels in front and a small golden throne beyond. Other people in white sit in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA nighttime Chandi Homa ritual under a open-sided canopy strung with orange triangular flags and multicolored hanging tassels. On the left, a large clay deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms and a red-and-white ornate backdrop, flanked by a lion-like figure and fruit offerings including watermelon and bananas on a red cloth. In the foreground, several young women in maroon and red sarees sit cross-legged on a orange cloth-covered platform, one holding a flower. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, lifting a ritual implement above a wooden homa altar with smoke rising. Behind them, a seated figure in orange robes sits on a white throne-like seat beside a few other seated people, with an audience of several dozen devotees in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesEvening outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof at night. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a maroon border stands at right, holding a lamp or incense toward the altar. Seated along a long orange-draped table, several young women in red and maroon saris and sitting in a row handle offerings and flower petals. Behind them sit more devotees. On the left stand large decorated murtis of a goddess and an elephant-headed deity with a white floral backdrop and a lion mount, flanked by a decorative parasol. Bowls of fruit, sweets, brass plates and coconuts fill the table. Strings of triangular flags and hanging bunting decorate the canopy, and red and white lights glow in the background. A bearded man in white sits at far right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof decorated with triangular bunting, hanging tassels and lit strings. On the left, a large white-and-pink ornamented deity murti with a garland stands beside a lion vahana. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon saris sit on a mat behind a spread of fruit, flowers and offerings including watermelon and pineapple. At the centre, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and shawl stands at a wooden stand facing the seated women. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red-cushioned throne-like seat, and a crowd of seated devotees watches the proceedings.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual on an open-sided pavilion under a corrugated roof, decorated with paper bunting, mango-leaf garlands and hanging tassels. On the left, a large white-and-pink ganesha-style and goddess murti stands beneath an ornate white canopy with flower garlands. A row of young women in red and maroon saris sit cross-legged on a raised orange platform, several with hands together. At the right, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a bare upper body stands bending over the platform, tending brass plates of fruit, offerings and a flame. Behind them a gilded throne with a red cushion and seated devotees in white are visible, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual before a decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, shown with a golden crown and a lion mount, set in a pandal with floral arches and hanging lights. In the foreground, several young women in red and orange saris sit cross-legged on a purple cloth, with plates of fruit, bananas, a watermelon and flower offerings in front of them. To the right, a man in white dhoti and a white shawl with red borders stands beside a wooden drum-like stand, and another man in white kneels with his hands raised. Smoke rises from a lamp at the centre. Devotees in the background watch, and an ornate red and gold throne is visible.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time photograph of a homa ritual under a tin-roofed pavilion decorated with orange and yellow pennants and banana-leaf garlands. On the left, large deity murti figures including a pink elephant-headed figure and goddess images are adorned with white and yellow flower garlands, with a lit string of lights behind them. In the foreground, several women in red and maroon saris sit cross-legged along an orange-draped altar holding offerings of fruit, green limes and flowers. On the right, a standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold necklace performs the ritual, holding a ceremonial item, while smoke rises from the fire area. A figure in a red-and-white seat and others in white sit farther back. A pronounced plate of offerings sits in the lower right.2010-10-16 +1 copies