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A night temple puja at a shrine with a large decorated goddess murti under a fringed pink canopy, flanked by smaller deity figures with ganesha-like figure at left. Two priests in white dhotis stand at a stone yagna platform: the one at left, with bare upper body and white marks on his arms, faces away, while the central figure in a cream turban, white dhoti and shawl, with a gold necklace and rudraksha-style beaded mala, holds a silver thali of offerings. Brass lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, flowers and a fire pit with offerings sit on the platform, and red-and-white lights and hanging decorations fill the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A dim temple hall shows a ritual in progress before a lit deity murti with a large white and gold ornate backdrop and a peacock-feather-style umbrella canopy. Two men in white dhotis stand at a stone altar with oil lamps, brass bowls and flowers. The man on the left, with bare upper body and white sacred markings on his shoulders and chest, holds a ritual implement. The man in the centre wears a white cloth on his head, a white shawl and a beaded mala, and holds a silver tray. Strings of small coloured lights and red and cream hangings decorate the walls.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesDim temple interior during a fire ritual. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold chain holds an object over a dark stone platform where smoke rises. Behind him, another priest in white stands near a garlanded deity murti and multiple statues under an ornate canopy, with string lights along the walls. In the foreground, a seated man in white dhoti and shawl wears a gold mala, glasses and a bare upper body, extending his hand over the platform. Brass bowls, a small oil lamp and scattered flower petals sit on the white step. The scene suggests a homa or puja, with the figures in ritual white clothing.2010-10-16Night ritual at a homa fire pit beside a large decorated deity murti. Three priests in white dhotis and shawls stand and kneel around a square white-tiled fire pit with red flower petals and brass vessels. The central figure, a goddess with multiple arms holding weapons, is adorned with garlands and a silver and white halo-style backdrop, flanked by a lion mount and other smaller murtis. Brass oil lamps and kalasha-style vessels sit on purple and red cloths, under fairy lights and a decorated ceiling with hanging banners. A shaven-headed priest kneels at the front in the foreground. Two figures stand at left with hands folded in prayer. No one in the scene is identifiable as a person by the visible cues.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photo of a homa ritual at an outdoor pavilion. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border stands at a fire pit, pouring offerings from a silver plate onto the flames, with smoke rising. Behind him is a large deity murti with a crown and a decorated silver arch, flanked by smaller figures and ornamented altar backdrops. Brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, fruit and flower offerings sit on the stone platform. Two other white-clad attendants stand to the left, with strings of red and white lights in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph at an outdoor homa or yagna pit. Two shaved-headed priests in white dhotis and gold necklaces kneel and stand at a white stone fire pit (kunda) with a dark square central opening, one pouring liquid from a metal vessel. Behind them, women in red and maroon saris and sitting devotees gather beneath strings of red fairy lights. On the right, a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a silver-and-white decorated arch and an umbrella canopy is set up. Brass lamps, bells, a kalasha-style pot and flower petals surround the fire pit on a white cloth.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA homa ritual is performed before a shrine decorated with deity murtis under a fringed canopy and string lights. Smoke rises from a square fire pit on a white base strewn with flower petals. A man in white dhoti and gold necklace sits cross-legged at right, extending his hand toward the fire, with a brass bowl beside him. A standing priest at left, wearing a white dhoti and holding a silver plate, offers materials into the fire. Other white-clad priests stand behind, and brass lamps and a kalasha sit near the shrine.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15A night-time homa or puja at a temple shrine with a large deity murti of Devi, multi-armed and adorned with white floral decorations and a garland, under a white canopy. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border, gold chain and tilak, pours grains or offerings from a silver plate into the fire pit. Another priest in white kneels beside him, and a standing figure at right tends a brass lamp. Small oil lamps and flower petals surround the altar, with red fairy lights behind the left side.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16