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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time ritual scene under a open-sided pavilion decorated with hanging colourful tassels, mango-leaf strings and circular ornaments. On the left stand large painted clay deity murtis, including a pink elephant-headed Ganesha and goddess figures in red and white garments. A seated woman in a maroon sari with a braid sits before an orange-topped altar holding fruit, plates and a flower-decorated platform. A standing man on the right, bare-chested with a white dhoti and white shawl edged in maroon, holds a lit aarti lamp toward the altar, with a small flame visible. Brass lamps, banana fruit, watermelon and offerings are arranged on white and purple cloths. A seated crowd of devotees fills the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Evening 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 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 +2 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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of an outdoor ritual pavilion with a raised orange platform edged in red and white. A man with a shaved head, wearing a white dhoti with red border and a white shawl, stands at right holding a lit oil lamp or fire over offerings on a plate. A woman in a maroon sari sits cross-legged on the platform beside a bowl of fruit and a green vegetable. Behind them a large dark ceremonial pot and a red-cushioned throne stand near the center, with figures in white seated nearby. To the left, a colourful clay murti of a multi-armed goddess with a red and orange garment, a lion and other figures is decorated with garlands, alongside banana leaves, fruit, brass lamps and a watermelon. Dozens of seated devotees fill the lower right foreground. Strings of flags and foliage hang from the roof.2010-10-16