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Night 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A 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.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.2010-10-16Night-time ritual scene at an outdoor pavilion hung with orange and green bunting and string lights. In the foreground a young woman in a maroon top and red-pink sari sits smiling beside women in red and maroon saris, one holding a fruit. Trays of oranges, limes, bananas, turmeric and kumkum sit on the floor, with brass oil lamps. A white-robed man with a yellow-orange turban and white-striped forehead stands by a red and gold throne, holding a plate. Beside him a man in orange robes and a red-brown wrap holds a tray. Behind them a large decorated deity murti with a crown and ornaments is visible on the left.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16