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Night-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.

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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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Evening 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 ritual photograph under a open-sided pavilion hung with strings of lights and red-and-white bunting. At left, a deity murti in red and gold with multiple arms and a crown stands beside offerings of fruit, bananas, watermelon and a flower-decorated display. A woman in a red blouse and maroon sari sits in the foreground peeling or handling a green fruit, while other women in saris sit at a long table covered with flowers, plates of fruit and a clay kalasha. A man in white dhoti and a sannyasi in saffron sit behind, and a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti with red border stands at right holding a vessel near a brass tray. Audience members in the dark background watch the puja. Lamps and marigold petals are scattered on the floor.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual at an ashram pavilion with a large decorated deity murti and clay figures on the left, including a red-clad goddess with a garland. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, bare-chested, holds a lit flame aloft toward the altar while a woman in a dark red and brown sari sits at the foreground offering table. Brass lamps, fruits, plates of offerings and a ceremonial throne with red cushion are arranged on an orange-draped platform. Hanging colourful pennants and string lights decorate the canopy, and a seated crowd of devotees watches from the right. A throne-like seat is visible but no clear appearance-based candidate is identifiable, so a person is unsure.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16