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Night-time outdoor ritual under a tin roof draped with paper bunting and leaf festoons. At left, a large deity murti with a white and red costume and raised hands stands beside a brass lamp and trays of fruit, vegetables, flowers and turmeric powder. Behind a red-cushioned throne, a seated figure in white is surrounded by priests dressed in white dhotis and cloths, one holding a silver tray. At right, a shaved-headed young priest in a white dhoti stands beside a wooden stand with offerings. Many small granite or stone slabs are laid out on a purple cloth strewn with petals, consistent with a homa or yagna preparation.

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Night-time outdoor puja at a temporary open-sided shrine with a tin roof, strings of flags and hanging tassels overhead. On the left a large painted deity murti with a crown and white decorated garments stands beside a brass oil lamp. In the centre an empty red velvet throne sits on a raised white platform, with a seated figure in white in the background. Several men in white dhotis and maroon-bordered shawls stand at right, one in a cream turban holding a silver plate of offerings. Tables hold fruit, bananas, limes, a watermelon, pineapple, flower petals and kumkum, with granite slabs laid out on a purple cloth.2010-10-16Night ritual scene under a corrugated roof decorated with orange and yellow bunting, garlands and hanging tassels. In the foreground a purple cloth covers an offering table laden with fruit, bananas, limes, watermelon, tomatoes, coconuts, flower petals and bowls of kumkum. Several young male attendants in white dhotis and cloths with red borders stand at the table, one bare-chested with a white cap offering a plate. A large brass oil lamp stands on the left beside a deity murti with garlands. Behind the table a red and gold throne stands empty. Further back, an older man in orange robes and a shaved head stands near a square white altar, with another seated figure in a white garment beside him. Devotees are visible in the background. The scene suggests a puja or abhishekam being performed.2010-10-16Night ritual at an open-sided pavilion with a tin roof, strung with red, yellow and green pennants and hanging decorations. In the foreground a long purple cloth holds plates of fruit (bananas, lemons, watermelon, pineapple, coconuts) and bowls of kumkum and turmeric, with scattered flower petals. A brass oil lamp stands at left beside an empty ornate red-and-gold throne. At centre a white stone platform holds a ritual setup. Several young men in white dhotis and shawls with red borders stand at right, one holding a plate; a shaven-headed priest in white and a man in a red-and-saffron cloth stand nearby. At left, painted deity murtis are partly visible under a decorated canopy. Devotees stand at the edge of the scene. The setting suggests a puja or abhishekam.2010-10-16Night-time outdoor puja under a corrugated tin canopy decorated with strings of red, yellow and blue tassels and green leaf garlands. On the left, a large multi-armed deity murti with raised weapons stands beside a lion figure, draped in red and white cloth. In the centre, brass oil lamps and a white stepped altar hold flower petals, a small brass pot and metal trays of fruit, coconuts and kumkum. A gold-trimmed red throne stands empty behind the altar. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a white turban holds a silver plate, while another attendant in white and a saffron-coloured dhoti stands nearby. Fruits including bananas, limes and watermelon are arranged on the lower left, and bright orange and purple flower petals cover the floor. Several more people in white stand in the background.2010-10-16Night puja at an open-sided pavilion with a striped tent roof and hanging tassel decorations. On the left, a large clay deity murti of Durga with multiple arms, red garment and crown stands beside a lion, with a white umbrella canopy above. Central altar holds brass oil lamps, fruit, flower petals, a red-cushioned throne with a gold frame, and kumkum and turmeric in bowls. A young priest in white dhoti and a saffron-coloured turban stands at right, holding a tray and attending the altar, while other white-clad priests in dhoti and shawl stand nearby, one holding a small plate. Smoke rises in the background and devotees watch from the right edge.2010-10-16Night outdoor ritual under a canopy strung with leaf garlands and small triangular flags. At centre, a fire pit with flames stands before an ornate red and gold throne-like seat. A standing priest in white dhoti and white shawl with red border holds an item over the fire. A seated priest with shaved head wears a gold necklace and white clothing at right, beside a bowl of yellow powder. Several children in red and maroon dresses sit in front on a purple cloth, with fruit (limes, bananas, coconuts), brass oil lamps and kumkum-coloured offerings on trays. Decorated deity figures with floral garlands stand at left under string lights. This appears to be a homa-style fire ritual with puja offerings.2010-10-16Night outdoor homa pavilion decorated with mango-leaf garlands, hanging cloth bunting and a circular golden ring motif. In the centre a fire pit burns on a low platform; a standing priest in white dhoti with red border holds an object at chest height. A large red-and-gold throne is occupied by a seated figure in white. Brass oil lamps stand on the left beside trays of bananas, limes, coconuts, turmeric and kumkum. Behind them a decorated deity murti with garlands. Several children in red and maroon outfits sit in front, and a bald man in white with a gold necklace sits on the right beside a brass vessel. Rows of seated devotees fill 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.2010-10-16Night photograph of a ritual space under a canopy at an outdoor puja. On the left stands a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms holding weapons, beside a lion figure, with other figures and vases nearby. A gilded red throne stands empty in the centre-right. In the foreground, a man with a bare upper body wrapped in white cloth, with a shaved-top head and long hair at the back, stands with palms joined toward the altar. Other men in white and orange robes attend nearby, one seated on the floor near brass oil lamps, flowers, fruit and a wooden platform. Red fairy lights and bunting hang in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual outdoors under a tin-roofed pavilion with a large fire pit (homa) at centre, smoke rising. Behind it stands a standing woman in a red garment with a red-and-white beaded necklace, holding a small offering. A large ornate red-and-gold throne is to her right. On the left, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and white shirt sits cross-legged on a mat before the fire, hands pressed together; a woman in white sits in the lower-left foreground. At right, a man in saffron-orange robes holds a tray. A deity murti with a red-and-gold crown and a sculpted figure sit in an altar of marigolds and brass lamps, with a large white decorated umbrella overhead. Tables hold bananas, apples, limes, coconuts, bowls of flowers, firewood and offerings.2010-10-11 +1 copiesA 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 copies