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Night-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.

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October 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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNighttime homa ceremony under a open pavilion decorated with saffron-orange and white cloth banners, strings of leaves, and large circular ornaments. A standing priest on the right, with a shaved head, wears a white dhoti and shawl with red borders and a gold necklace, raising one hand in a blessing gesture while holding a small object. Beside him, a seated woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-maroon sari holds a green fruit and a pink item near a platter of fruit and flower petals. Behind them, a fire offering area with a raised altar, a kalasha-like vessel, and brass oil lamps on the left. Several white-clad priests and seated devotees in white and red attire fill the background. A large ornate gold-and-red throne chair is visible, with a robed figure seated in front of it. The scene shows fruits, brass lamps, and scattered flower petals on an orange cloth. Several people are visible, including partially seen figures in the background.2010-10-16Night 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-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 20102010-10-16Night-time ritual on an open-sided pavilion with orange cloth and bunting. In the foreground a woman in a maroon blouse and dark red sari with a patterned border kneels at a low platform, holding a green fruit. Beside her, a bald man in white dhoti and shawl with red-striped borders raises one hand in a blessing gesture and holds a small object. The platform bears fruit, flower petals, brass vessels and plates of offerings. Behind them, brass oil lamps stand on tall stands, and figures in white sit around a central seat draped in red and gold. A large round wooden drum-like vessel and crowds of seated devotees, mostly in white and red, fill the background under strings of lights and hanging tassels.2010-10-16A night-time ritual under a open-sided pavilion with a striped canopy and hanging decorations. On the left, large deity murtis with garlands and an ornate arch stand behind a long wooden altar draped in a purple cloth. A priest in white dhoti with red-bordered cloth and bare chest holds a burning lamp toward offerings, while a woman in a maroon sari and red blouse sits at the altar. Brass lamps, fruits, vegetables, plates and flowers cover the altar, and a golden throne-like seat stands at the back. Seated devotees fill the foreground and right side, and strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight 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.2010-10-16