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Night-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.

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Night puja at a Navaratri pavilion. A large deity murti with multiple arms, holding weapons and riding a lion, stands at left beside fruit offerings of pineapple, limes, bananas and watermelon on trays. Center, an empty red-and-gold throne sits behind a white altar with brass oil lamps and flower petals scattered across the floor. At right, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti and a white head cloth holds a silver plate, while a second man in white with a yellow cloth and rudraksha-style beads stands beside him. Other attendants in white and a seated figure are in the background; tasselled banners and string lights hang overhead.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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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-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-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.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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 11 20102010-10-11 +1 copiesNight ritual at a covered open-air pavilion with a corrugated metal roof. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, scattering orange flower petals or grain from a metal bowl over a fire pit (homa kunda) with smoke rising. Two other white-clad priests kneel and sit at the left and centre beside brass vessels, fruit, tomatoes and offering plates on a patterned cloth. Behind them stand decorated deity murti figures, including a large goddess image with a white floral backdrop and a white parasol-shaped canopy. A red-and-gold throne stands empty behind the fire, and a cream chair is set to the right. Hanging mango leaf festoons and colourful tasselled bunting decorate the structure. A few devotees in red and orange clothing stand at the far right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor puja at a temple-style pavilion decorated with banana leaves, bunting and hanging cloth banners. A priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit camphor flame on a tray, standing in front of a large brass hanging circular frame. Seated priests in white garments attend on the left and centre, and a seated figure in white holds a tray. In the foreground, brass oil lamps (diyas) burn beside plates of bananas, fruit, kumkum-coloured offerings and marigold garlands, with a green and gold cloth bundle. On the right stands a large deity murti with a fierce face, multiple arms holding weapons and a lion/tiger mount, dressed in gold and draped in flower garlands.2010-10-15