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A night ritual scene at an outdoor homa or puja space. In the foreground a young woman with long wavy dark hair and a maroon top and sari sits cross-legged, looking to her left, with a green-and-pink offering in her hands. Behind her, several women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a row holding offerings. Fruit, bananas, limes, vermilion and turmeric powder in metal bowls, and marigold petals cover the floor. To the right, a robed man in white sits on a red and gold throne, and beside him a man in saffron-orange cloth holds a plate. A large clay deity murti with many arms stands in the left background, surrounded by string lights and a fire-pit area with smoke. Ritual implements and a wooden stand are in the foreground.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph at an outdoor ashram setting lit by a string of red fairy lights and a bright lamp. In the foreground a woman with long dark wavy hair, wearing a red blouse and maroon sari, sits beside a tray of mangoes and bananas. Beside her, several women in saris (maroon, green and white) hold green fruit and offerings near a low white platform decorated with flowers, a brass lamp and a plate of tomatoes and fruit. In the centre a figure in white clothing sits on an ornate red and gold throne. To the right a man with a shaved head and beard, wearing an orange-saffron cloth and holding a ritual vessel, stands at the side of a wooden drum-like altar. Coloured cloth banners and a deity figure with an ornate headdress appear at the left edge.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual before a decorated deity murti with string lights. In the foreground a woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-gold saree sits beside several women in red and maroon sarees holding lotus flowers and fruit. Fruit, bananas, turmeric and kumkum powder fill brass plates on a cloth. Behind them, a man in white with a shaved head and brown cloth sits on a red cushioned throne with gold trim, seemingly holding a plate. Smoke rises from a ceremonial fire, and a fire pit and brass lamps are in front of the throne. A standing priest in orange-saffron clothing with a white-marked forehead holds a vessel. Hanging green leaves and a wooden drum stand nearby.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16Evening ritual at a dimly lit outdoor puja pavilion decorated with strings of red fairy lights and a large deity murti on the left wall. In the foreground a woman with long wavy dark hair, wearing a maroon blouse and a red-and-gold sari, sits on the floor holding a green fruit and a pink flower. Several other women in red, maroon and green saris sit in a row beside her, also holding fruit and flowers. On a raised golden-armrested red throne at the centre-right, a man in a saffron turban, white dhoti and a long beaded necklace stands holding an object. Behind him, a man in orange robes stands beside a tall decorated pillar. Brass oil lamps, bowls of fruit, marigolds, a kalasha-style setup and a wooden drum-like stand occupy the floor, with a folded red cloth in front.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night outdoor ritual photograph. A seated figure in white robes and an orange-trimmed shawl sits on an ornate gold-and-red throne with a crown-like headpiece, while to the right a priest in red-orange clothing with a head wrap and beaded necklaces holds a ritual object and performs a rite. In front, a row of women in red and maroon saris and a woman with long dark hair kneel holding offerings, including a green coconut-like fruit, pink flowers and a small plate. Oil lamps burn on the low white and flower-strewn altar, with incense smoke rising. A large wooden drum stands in the foreground, and overhead are circular hoops and leafy garlands above lit red-and-gold decor. Several people are visible in the background near the altar.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16