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Night outdoor ritual on a raised orange-draped platform under a canopy strung with green leaves and a large golden om symbol. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border holds a lit aarti lamp toward the viewer, flame rising. A young woman in a maroon and rose saree sits cross-legged at left, holding a green fruit beside offerings of bananas, apples, tomatoes, coconuts and a watermelon. A red cushioned throne sits centrally; a seated figure in white is on it, with a few other seated devotees in white nearby. A large wooden drum-like object and brass plates sit on the platform. At left, a decorated deity murti with a red-lit backdrop and brass oil lamps stand. Several people are seated in the background.

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Night puja on an outdoor stage decorated with a string of festive lights, a large OM emblem and green leaf garlands. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red border holds a flaming camphor aarti lamp in his right hand and a small brass bell-like vessel in his left. A young woman in a maroon blouse and maroon-and-cream sari sits cross-legged at the left, arranging fruits and flowers on a tray. Brass oil lamps, plates of bananas, limes, apples and marigold flowers surround the platform, and a deity murti stands at the far left. Behind them, a gold-trimmed red throne is occupied by a robed figure in white, while other people sit on the floor in the background.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16Evening outdoor puja under a covered pavilion decorated with hanging tassels and leaf garlands. On the left, large colourful deity murtis and a pink elephant-headed figure stand on a dressed table with fruit offerings, brass lamps and a green-leaf platter. A woman in a maroon-and-gold sari sits on an orange-and-white stepped platform, holding fruit and flowers. Facing her, a man in white dhoti and shawl with a red border holds a lit lamp or flame over a tray of offerings. Behind them, a red-and-gold throne and a crowd of seated devotees fill the background, with a lamp-lit dais and a camera visible at the lower right.2010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph under an open pavilion decorated with mango-leaf strings, red and yellow triangular pennants and hanging ornamental tassels. On the left, a large decorated deity murti with a crown and multiple arms stands beside brass lamps and offerings of watermelon, bananas, green fruit, vegetables and a tray of red flowers. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-brown sari sits on the orange floor holding a green fruit, while a second woman in a deep red sari sits behind her. At right, a young man with a shaved head wears a white dhoti and shawl with red borders and holds ritual items in both hands, standing near a wooden drum and steel plates. Behind them, seated devotees fill the rows in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram setting lit by a flame. In the foreground a woman with long wavy brown hair in a maroon blouse and patterned sari sits with her eyes closed and hands folded near offering trays of red apples, green-yellow fruits, and flower petals. A brass lamp and a burning flame held in a metal vessel are raised by a white-clad priest on the right. Behind them a red and gold ornate chair stands on a white and marigold-strewn platform, with a seated figure in saffron and white with a turban-style headpiece and rudraksha beads, hands joined in prayer. Another seated figure in orange and white sits to the right, and devotees in white clothes sit on the ground in the background beneath strings of green leaves and red-and-gold decorated pillars. A large wooden drum-like object stands in the middle of the scene.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight festival ritual under an open pavilion decorated with hanging tassels, bunting and leaf garlands. On the left, a large deity murti with multiple arms and red garments stands beside a table of fruit offerings including watermelon, bananas, apples and limes. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-cream saree sits cross-legged, holding a fruit, while other women in colourful sarees kneel beside her. In the centre, a priest in white dhoti and shawl stands near a wooden stand and a red-cushioned seat, and a saffron-robed figure is seen behind him. On the right, a bald man in white dhoti with a red border stands holding an object, and a seated crowd watches. Scattered petals, kumkum and offering plates cover the orange floor.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual at an open-air pandal during a Chandi Homa. In the foreground a woman in a maroon and red sari sits on the floor arranging fruit and flowers on a red cloth beside a tray of tomatoes, watermelon, bananas and green fruit. To the right a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red borders stands holding a small item and offering. Behind them several white-clad participants sit before a fire pit with smoke rising, and a large deity murti with red and gold garments stands on the left beside brass oil lamps. Strings of marigold garlands and triangular banners hang from the roof frame, with a crowd seated in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16