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Night-time Chandi Homa ritual under a decorated pavilion with strings of tassels and a large swirl motif. On the left, a clay murti of a goddess with multiple arms and red-and-gold garments stands beside offerings of fruit, a watermelon, bananas, coconuts, vegetables, flowers and kumkum powder on trays. In the foreground a woman in a maroon sari holds a green fruit and sits among other women in red and maroon saris also holding fruit. Behind them, a seated figure in white ritual dress and turban sits on a gold-trimmed throne, with a second robed figure in orange nearby. Strings of lights and smoke from the homa fire fill the background, and a wooden drum-like object stands on the right.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time puja inside a decorated pavilion. In the foreground a woman in a maroon and red patterned sari sits on the floor, holding a green fruit over a pile of offerings. Behind her a row of women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a line. To the left stands a large ornate murti of a goddess with multiple arms, holding weapons, with garlands and a lion beside her, surrounded by marigold garlands. Fruits, bananas, a watermelon, flower petals and kumkum are arranged on a long table. On the right a seated figure in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne, with a bare-chested figure in saffron beside a wooden drum. Bunting and string lights hang overhead.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time photograph of a Navaratri Chandi Homa puja under an open pavilion. On the left, a large murti of a multi-armed goddess with red garments and weapons stands beside a string of lights. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti and white head-turban stands gesturing with one hand, while a seated figure in a red-and-saffron cloth sits on a red and gold throne-like seat, and monastic men in saffron robes sit nearby. Foreground, a woman in a red-and-maroon sari holds a green fruit. Tables are laden with bananas, lemons, apples, red and yellow flowers, a watermelon, kumkum and vermilion dishes, brass lamps and a kalasha. Bunting and decorated pillars hang overhead.2010-10-16Night photo of a Chandi Homa ritual held under a decorated open pavilion with red and orange bunting and hanging fabric tassels. On the left, a large painted deity murti with a golden crown and multiple arms stands beside a figure of a lion, surrounded by flower garlands and a red-lit backdrop. In the foreground, several women in red, maroon and magenta saris sit on the floor, one holding a green fruit, behind a table laden with bananas, limes, a watermelon, a plate of vermilion and turmeric, and flower petals. Center right, a man in white ritual dress stands near a red-cushioned golden throne-like seat, and a robed figure in orange and white stands beside a wooden yajna altar with a homa setup. Several devotees are seated nearby.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time Navaratri puja in a temple hall decorated with strings of lights and hanging bunting. On the left, large festive deity figures (goddess murtis with raised arms and garlands) stand above fruits, melons, bananas and a pile of vermilion. A young woman in a maroon top and a reddish-brown patterned sari sits cross-legged in the foreground, holding a green fruit or coconut-like offering. Several other women in red, maroon and green saris sit behind her among offerings. On the right, a red-and-gold ornate throne holds a seated figure, with a wooden drum-like instrument and brass lamps nearby. Flowers and rice scatter the floor and fruit plates are arranged along the table.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight photograph of a Navaratri-style puja at an ashram pandal decorated with large white and gold sculpted deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a lion, an elephant-headed Ganesha in pink, and other standing deities garlanded in marigolds. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with pink lotus flowers in their hands, while a shaved-headed priest in white sits in front of a wooden stand with brass lamps, bowls and offerings. On the right, an ornate gold-and-red throne holds a seated figure in white, and a man in white with a gold chain sits beside it. Red string lights and oil lamps glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor ritual at a temple-style pavilion decorated with string lights, triangular bunting and large orange ring ornaments. On the left, a large painted and decorated deity murti of a multi-armed goddess stands beside a lion figure. In the foreground, a young woman with long wavy hair wears a red blouse and a red-and-gold sari and holds a fruit. Several women in red and maroon saris sit in a row behind her with offerings arranged before them, including fruits, bananas, a watermelon, coconuts and bowls of kumkum and turmeric. At the centre, a man in white ritual clothing with a turban stands before a red velvet throne with gold trim, holding a plate. Two saffron-robed sannyasis stand nearby, one with a shaved head holding an item and another bearded figure beside him. A wooden drum and a brass lamp sit in the foreground among flower petals.2010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi homa ritual under a decorated pandal. On the left, a painted deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with raised weapons stands beside a lion, with a red-and-gold lit backdrop and fairy lights. In the foreground a young woman in a maroon-and-red sari holds a green fruit, seated behind a spread of fruits, bananas, a watermelon, coconuts and kumkum on a purple cloth. Several women in red and maroon saris sit in a row offering fruit. In the centre-right, a figure in white dhoti and white shawl with a white head wrap stands before a red and gold throne, while an ascetic in saffron robes and an older bare-chested priest with a white head covering officiate near a wooden ritual drum and brass vessels with flowers and fruit. Festive bunting and garlands hang overhead.2010-10-16