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A night-time puja in a temple hall lit by strings of red lights and small oil lamps. In the foreground, a young woman with long dark wavy hair wears a maroon sari with gold border and holds a pink fruit in her hands. Several women in red, maroon and gold saris sit in a row on an orange cloth-covered platform behind her, some holding fruits. At the lower right, a man in a white dhoti with maroon border lies prostrate on the floor before trays of apples, limes and rice. A wooden ornamental seat with a gold-trimmed arch stands at right, and colourful goddess murtis with garlands fill the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA man lies prostrate on an orange-red cloth in front of a decorated shrine at night, wearing a white dhoti and a white upper cloth, with his arms stretched forward and head down. Four women kneel to the right in saris, one in maroon, one in deep red, one in red with gold border, and one in white with red, each holding a small fruit or offering. Behind them stand a large Ganesha murti and a goddess murti with garlands and gold ornaments, framed by white floral decoration and red lights. Brass plates hold red apples, marigold petals and brass lamps are scattered on the floor. Several white-clad people stand in the background at left.2010-10-16A photograph of a devotional ritual at night in an open courtyard. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and shawl lies prostrate face-down on an orange cloth, arms extended, before a brass plate of red fruits (apples or pomegranates). Behind him four women in saris sit on a patterned mat holding small red fruits, two in deep red and maroon saris with gold borders and one in a white and red sari. Behind them stand image figures of Ganesha (pink-red) and a goddess deity murti with decorated garlands and marigold offerings, with an oil lamp lit at right. Several men in white dhoti stand with hands folded at the left edge, and a string of red lights hangs above. The scene suggests a puja with padapuja-style prostration.2010-10-16A man in plain white dhoti and shawl with a maroon border lies prostrate on an orange-red mat in front of a decorated altar, arms stretched forward toward a brass tray of red apples. Behind him, four women in red and maroon silk saris sit on a patterned cloth, each holding a small pink-and-green offering, while a young man in a maroon kurta sits among them. Several men in white traditional clothes stand at the left edge. The altar holds colourful deity murtis, including an elephant-headed Ganesha figure in pink and red and a goddess murti in yellow and red, with brass lamps, flowers and string lights overhead. The setting appears to be an evening puja.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA man in white dhoti and shawl with maroon borders lies prostrate in full-length obeisance on an orange cloth at night. Behind him, several women in maroon and red silk saris with gold borders sit holding flowers and offerings, and standing men in white dhotis and shawls with rudraksha-style necklaces watch with hands folded. A brass plate holds red fruits. Strings of red fairy lights hang above, and at the right, decorated deity murtis, including a pink Ganesha figure and a goddess figure with white flower garlands, stand under floral decoration.2010-10-16Night photograph of a Navaratri-style puja at an ashram pandal decorated with large white and gold sculpted deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a lion, an elephant-headed Ganesha in pink, and other standing deities garlanded in marigolds. Several women in red and maroon silk saris sit on the floor with pink lotus flowers in their hands, while a shaved-headed priest in white sits in front of a wooden stand with brass lamps, bowls and offerings. On the right, an ornate gold-and-red throne holds a seated figure in white, and a man in white with a gold chain sits beside it. Red string lights and oil lamps glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Evening photograph of a ritual scene on an orange cloth. In the foreground, a man in white dhoti and shawl lies prostrate face-down with his arms outstretched, a padapuja-style obeisance. Behind him, three women in red and maroon silk saris with gold borders sit on a floral-decorated mat, smiling and holding green coconuts and pink flowers. Two men in white ritual clothes stand at the left holding plates. At the upper right, a decorated deity murti in red and gold garments with garlands is visible. Small lamps and flower offerings surround the setting.2010-10-16A night-time outdoor ritual at an ashram. In the foreground a man in plain white dhoti with maroon border lies prostrate on an orange-red cloth, arms stretched forward, in padapuja-style obeisance. A brass plate of red fruits sits before him. Behind, three women in saris, one in maroon-and-gold with red bangles, sit on the mat holding fruit; a standing woman in a red-and-gold sari is also present. On the left, a row of men in white dhotis and white shirts with rudraksha malas stand with hands folded. Behind them, large decorated deity murtis with ganesha-like figure in red and gold garlands and a goddess figure adorned with white flowers and gold. Strings of red lights hang overhead.2010-10-16A photograph of a Navaratri puja at night inside a decorated temple hall. Four women sit on an orange cloth with flower petals scattered around them, holding red flowers or offerings. The woman at left wears a maroon sari, the centre woman a dark maroon sari with gold border, and the woman at right a red sari; the girl at far right wears a red sari. Behind them stand large deity murtis, including a Ganesha figure with red body and a goddess murti with raised arms and ornate silver decoration. A man in white dhoti with a gold-beaded necklace stands at left, and men in white garments stand in the background. In the foreground a man in a white striped shirt bows over a brass plate of red fruit, with a wooden stand and ritual items nearby.2010-10-16