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A photograph of a night-time puja at a temple shrine. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl with a maroon border stands at left, extending his hands over a brass plate toward a platform. A second, younger attendant in white with a yellow cloth at the waist assists beside him. Behind them a large decorated deity murti with multi-armed goddess iconography, flowers and garlands, and tinsel framing stands in a shrine lit by warm string lights and oil lamps. A dark stone slab with flowers and brass vessels occupies the foreground, and a carved wooden seat is at left.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A photograph inside a dimly lit temple shrine. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with a red border and a gold chain stands at left, holding a brass bowl of offerings and pouring them toward a dark altar. Behind him, another priest in white clothes with a yellow waistcloth stands among shrine lamps. Ornate deity murti of a goddess with garlands, a sword and multiple arms is backed by a decorated arch, and a small garlanded murti sits on a peetha at right, surrounded by oil lamps, brass vessels and scattered flowers. Strings of lights glow in the background. Four people are visible, all priests in white clothing.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight puja at a decorated temple shrine. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth over his left shoulder holds a silver plate of grains or offerings toward a large goddess murti with many arms, adorned with silver-coloured ornaments and a floral garland. Another white-clad priest stands behind him, and a third attends at the right. Brass oil lamps and flowers sit on the altar, with strings of red and white lights and a cloth canopy overhead. Smoke rises in the lamplit hall. A standing figure in a rudraksha-style necklace appears at the left edge. Several other people stand in the background.2010-10-16A photograph of a night-time puja at a temple shrine. In the foreground, a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth with a red border holds a silver tray of grains or offerings with both hands and sprinkles them toward the shrine. He wears a gold-toned beaded necklace and a small tilak on his forehead. Behind him, two more priests in white dhotis attend the shrine. The shrine holds a large deity murti of a goddess with many arms, decorated with white flower garlands and a silver halo. A large ornate parasol-like canopy hangs above. Brass oil lamps burn at the lower right, and a string of coloured lights glows in the background. Several people in white stand at the left edge.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time homa at a temple shrine with a smoking fire pit in the foreground. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with a gold necklace and a red-bordered cloth stands at left holding a silver tray of offerings. Beside him another priest in white with a rudraksha-style necklace attends the fire. Behind them a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with a crown and white flower garlands sits under an ornate white umbrella canopy, with lit oil lamps and brass vessels on the altar. A devotee's hand holding a spoon appears at lower right. Strings of lights glow at left.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor homa at a fire pit lined with white stone and scattered flowers, with thick smoke rising. A standing priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth and gold necklaces lifts a silver vessel and a small offering above his head. A seated priest in white kneels at left beside a brass bell, a small lamp and offerings, and a second priest in white is at the right edge. Behind the fire pit a large white-and-silver deity murti with a lion (vahana) stands among sparkling string lights, and seated women in red and orange saris face the fire. Marigold garlands hang on the murti.2010-10-16Photograph of a night homa ritual before a large deity murti decorated with white floral arches and an umbrella canopy. A bald priest in white dhoti with red border and gold necklaces stands at left holding a silver tray, while a second white-clad priest beside him holds a brass bowl. Smoke rises from a fire pit in the foreground, and oil lamps burn near the central deity. Another figure in white stands behind the fire pit, and red-and-white lights line the background. Several other deity figures are arranged beside the central murti.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual photo under a corrugated metal roof. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border, wearing a beaded necklace, pours flower petals from a silver plate toward a large decorated deity murti of a multi-armed goddess with a crown, adorned with lace-like white and gold ornaments. Smoke drifts across the image, a small oil lamp burns at the lower right, and red string lights glow behind. A second person in a yellow garment stands beside him. The priest appears to be performing a puja or aarti offering.2010-10-16