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Night outdoor ritual on a raised platform with orange and white steps. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-and-gold sari sits cross-legged at left, holding a small pink object over a tray of fruit, bananas and flowers. In the centre a man in white dhoti and shawl lies prone on the orange platform, head down, feet bare. A standing priest in white with a rudraksha mala and bare shoulders stands behind him near a wooden stand. Behind them, a deity murti is decorated with garlands and lamps, with brass lamp stands and a tiered offering area. Hanging leaf garlands and red and yellow fabric streamers cross the roof, and a crowd of seated devotees fills the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night photograph of a ritual on a raised orange-draped platform with white and red striped steps beneath a decorated pavilion with hanging leaf garlands and lamps. A woman in a maroon blouse and red-brown sari sits at left holding a green fruit, her hair loose. In the centre a man in white dhoti and white shirt lies prostrate on the platform with his face down, bare feet visible. A standing man in white with a sash and bead necklace stands behind a wooden drum-shaped object. Brass lamps, a mirror-framed stand, marigold and flower garlands, metal plates of offerings and a small fire glow in the background. A large seated audience in white and orange fills the right side.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa ceremony under a canopy strung with leaf garlands and red tassels. A woman in a red blouse and maroon sari sits on a purple cloth at the left, holding a green fruit over offerings. In the centre, a man in white lies prostrate in padapuja on an orange-draped platform with red and white steps, while a priest in white with a yellow sash stands at right. Brass lamps, plates of fruit and flowers, a large wooden drum and a dais with a seated figure in white are visible. Seated devotees fill the foreground and background, and smoke rises from the fire.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual scene at an outdoor puja space with an orange cloth covering the floor. In the foreground a woman with long dark wavy hair sits cross-legged in a maroon blouse and a red-and-gold patterned sari, holding a pink flower and a green fruit, looking down. To the right a man in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders prostrates forward with his forehead near the floor. Behind them other seated worshippers in red and green saris sit before brass lamps, a tray of lemons and bananas, flower petals, and silver vessels. Standing figures in white and a golden arch appear in the background, with a large wooden drum at right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a homa or yagna ritual on an orange-draped raised platform with white-and-maroon striped edging. A priest in white dhoti with a maroon-bordered cloth kneels at the right beside a wooden yoga-style seat with a golden crown-shaped top, while another man in white lies prostrate in the foreground. Several young boys in white dhotis sit on purple cloth at left, one playing a small instrument. Brass plates hold fruit, flowers, rice and vessels, and a fire pit smokes in the centre. Behind, an elaborately decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, red and gold garments and a lion vahana is lit with string lights, with a crowd seated in the background.2010-10-16A night ritual on a raised wooden platform with orange and white striped edges. In the foreground a shaven-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders prostrates on the platform, hands flat before a low offering table laden with flowers, brass vessels, a plate of apples and a lamp. To the right another man in white with a gold necklace kneels beside him. Two women in red saris sit at left on a purple mat. Behind, a seated figure in white with a gold-trimmed crown or turban and gold necklaces sits on a raised red throne-like seat, with another seated person in white beside him, and an ornate gold arch frames the back. Marigold petals are scattered across the platform.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.2010-10-16Night puja on an outdoor stage decorated with a string of festive lights, a large OM emblem and green leaf garlands. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red border holds a flaming camphor aarti lamp in his right hand and a small brass bell-like vessel in his left. A young woman in a maroon blouse and maroon-and-cream sari sits cross-legged at the left, arranging fruits and flowers on a tray. Brass oil lamps, plates of bananas, limes, apples and marigold flowers surround the platform, and a deity murti stands at the far left. Behind them, a gold-trimmed red throne is occupied by a robed figure in white, while other people sit on the floor in the background.2010-10-16Night-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.2010-10-16A night-time ritual scene at a temple decorated for a festival. In the foreground a woman in a maroon and rust sari sits on an orange-draped platform holding a round fruit in both hands, while a row of women in saris sits behind her in a similar seated posture. Near the centre a man in white dhoti and cloth with maroon borders lies prostrate on the orange platform. Nearby stand bowls of mangoes, red fruit, flowers, brass lamps and a kalasha-like vessel. Behind them a large deity murti with multiple arms and a decorated figure stand within an elaborately decorated alcove, with strings of fairy lights glowing in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16