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Indoor temple puja scene lit by warm lamps and strings of red lights. In the foreground, a woman in a maroon and red sari sits on the floor holding a pink lotus and a green fruit, with three other women in red and maroon saris seated behind her holding flowers. At right, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl with red-and-maroon borders bends forward toward the offering mat. Scattered petals of purple and white flowers and orange cloth cover the floor, with brass oil lamps and a kalasha-style vessel on the mat. Behind them, a large deity murti and an ornate gold-framed throne stand in the background, where a figure in white is seated.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph of a seated row of women in red and maroon saris and blouses, sitting before an altar decorated with colourful deity murtis, marigold garlands, and strings of fairy lights. The woman in front, with long wavy hair, holds a pink lotus flower in her hands. Brass oil lamps, brass vessels, fruit including a watermelon and pineapple, and scattered flower petals lie on the altar before them. A shaved-headed man in white sits at the far right, wearing rudraksha malas, and appears to be performing the ritual. The setting is a night puja with flowers strewn across the floor.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ceremony in an ashram courtyard lit by oil lamps and string lights. Several women in red, maroon and green silk saris sit on the floor in the foreground, one with hands folded holding a pink flower. Behind them, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and a red-and-gold silk shawl stands beside a low raised dais covered in flower petals and offerings. At the right, a person in white clothing with gold necklaces and a saffron-coloured turban sits on a red and gold throne-like seat with hands together. Painted deity figures with garlands stand at the left, and a brass lamp stand and a bell-shaped vessel sit on the dais. Scattered marigold petals cover the floor. Roughly ten or more people are visible.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a Chandi homa-style puja at an ashram temple. In the foreground a woman with long wavy dark hair in a maroon blouse and rust-red sari sits cross-legged holding a pink lotus, with fruit and flowers before her. Behind her several women in maroon and deep red saris sit in a row holding offerings. Above them, a large deity murti with a white-and-silver decorated backdrop shows multi-armed goddesses holding weapons, and a figure in a red and pink sari with a green-and-yellow garland stands to the left. Strings of red lights glow in the background. On the right a man in white dhoti and shawl stands near a golden-edged seat, and an elder in white sits beside a gold-framed platform. Marigold petals and scattered flowers cover the floor, and a tray of red apples and a watermelon sit nearby. A wooden drum-like object lies on the right.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.2010-10-16Evening 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.2010-10-16A 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.2010-10-16A photograph of a padapuja-style ritual on an orange cloth. A bald man in white clothing lies prostrate on the floor, arms outstretched, touching a wooden stand, with a small white cloth nearby. Three women in red and maroon silk saris sit cross-legged on a floral-strewn mat, holding green fruits and pink lotus flowers, and smiling. A fourth young woman in a red sari and pearl necklace sits at the right edge. Behind them, a large image of a goddess with a red face, golden crown and garlands is visible, along with white-robed attendants standing at the upper left. The prostration is performed by a man in white, with the visible body position but no clear identification of a person from appearance.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies