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Night-time photo of a homa/puja at an outdoor pandal. In the foreground, several young women in red and maroon sarees sit on an orange-draped low platform, one with hands held together in prayer, with fruits, flowers, brass plates and bowls laid out before them. Behind them a bare-chested priest in a white dhoti with green border pours or offers from a vessel beside a fire pit with rising smoke. Further back, a figure in orange sits on a red and gold throne near a deity murti decorated with white flower garlands. Strings of marigolds, orange triangular flags and tassel-hung poles frame the scene, with festive lights and a poster at the right edge.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a corrugated roof with festoon lights and saffron pennants strung overhead. Several young women in red and maroon saris sit in a row on the left, one holding a flower, before a long orange-draped altar laid with fruit, coconuts, brass plates and small bowls. On the right a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl stands holding a lit lamp and an offering vessel, with smoke rising. Behind him a seated figure in saffron-coloured clothing sits by an ornate red-and-gold throne-like seat. At left are white floral-decorated deity murti with garlands and a painted mural. Several onlookers are visible on the right.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 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-time homa ceremony under a tin-roofed pavilion with smoke rising in the air. On the left, a decorated deity murti of Goddess Durga with a crown and red-and-gold clothing sits beside a Ganesha figure, flower garlands and fruit offerings. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at a fire pit, holding a ritual vessel, while a row of women in red and maroon saris sit on the orange cloth before offerings of fruit, coconuts and brass plates. Behind, a golden-armed throne is occupied by a robed figure, with other seated attendees near it. Bunting and hanging tassels decorate the ceiling, and a large crowd of devotees sits on the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual at a Chandi Homa outdoors under a canopy. Women in maroon and red saris sit in a row on an orange-draped platform, several holding fruit and flowers, with brass plates of apples, bananas, melons and other offerings before them. Behind them a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, adorned with white floral decoration, stands beside a lion vahana. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders, bald-headed, holds a lit lamp or incense near a fire pit with smoke. Strings of lights, saffron pennants and a decorated ornate throne-like seat appear in the background.2010-10-16 +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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies