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Outdoor ritual photograph of a homa or puja under an open pavilion strung with mango-leaf garlands, triangular pennants and tall decorated pillars. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red and gold border stands at centre, holding a flaming lamp over a brass vessel. Seated white-clad priests chant and sit around a low ritual platform with brass lamps and offerings, one wearing a long green garment and red garland. Behind them a framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure sits on an ornate gold-and-red chair, and a banner printed with a saffron-clad figure hangs to the right. Coconut palms and stone deity sculptures fill the background.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Outdoor ritual at a temple-style courtyard under a canopy hung with orange and white triangular flags and leafy garlands, with palm trees behind. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a red border and yellow waist cloth stands holding a lit flame on a plate. Seated priests in white garments and sacred thread chant and perform the puja; one seated figure at left wears a green and red cloth and a red floral garland. Brass oil lamps, a kalasha-like vessel and a framed portrait of a figure in orange sit on a red-cushioned peetha. Stone sculptures stand along the wall at right. This appears to be a homa or puja with a visible flame.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor ritual at an open-air pandal under palm trees with strings of green leaves and hanging orange and red pennants. A standing priest, shirtless with a white dhoti and red-bordered white shawl and a yellow waist cloth, holds a lit oil lamp and a small bell-shaped vessel above a fire pit. Seated priests in white dhotis wear garlands, one with a shaved head in front; another in a green sari with a red garland sits behind a small hand-held microphone. A framed portrait of a saffron-robed figure sits on a gold-trimmed red throne-like seat, with a kalasha-like brass lamp and a plate of rice and offerings on a purple cloth in front. Stone lion-like sculptures and tall striped pillars stand in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor ritual at dusk under palm trees and strung leaf garlands. A standing priest with a shaved head, bare-chested and wearing a white dhoti and white shawl with maroon borders, rings a handbell while holding a lit lamp. Behind him a fire burns in an open pit. Seated men in white dhotis and saffron-coloured ceremonial garlands chant and sit on orange cloth. A framed portrait of a deity stands on an ornate gold-trimmed red throne, with a green cloth and a garland of red flowers in front of it. Brass oil lamps, metal plates of offerings and fruit, and tall decorative banners complete the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor puja under a tin-roofed pavilion with palm trees behind. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at right, holding a lit flame on a brass lamp toward a deity murti. Seated devotees in white and a woman in green sari sit on mats before offerings of fruit, flowers, coconut and brass lamps. Strings of triangular flags and hanging decorative pillars frame the scene. A framed deity image sits on the central altar with a red and green cloth backdrop.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual under an open-sided pavilion hung with green leaf garlands, orange triangular flags and tasselled decorations. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right holding a lit flame in a metal vessel toward the seated group. Several seated priests in white with rudraksha malas chant with folded hands, and a bearded man in white sits at lower right. Before them, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a figure. Brass oil lamps burn on the steps, and a flowered vessel and offerings lie nearby. Statues and illuminated figures stand in the background, consistent with a Chandi Homa fire ritual.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight outdoor ritual homa under a temporary roofed pavilion decorated with orange triangular pennants, hanging colourful tassel decorations and leaf garlands. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at right pouring an offering from a vessel into a fire pit, with flames rising. Seated devotees in white and red-bordered clothes sit around the fire pit; a seated figure at left in a green silk garment and garlanded red cloth holds a small bell or instrument. A large red cushioned throne with gold trim stands at left, beside a framed portrait photo on it. Brass lamps glow on the ground and oil lamps burn at the edges. A printed backdrop and sculpted statues appear at the back.2010-10-16October 15 20102010-10-15Outdoor homa ceremony in a temple courtyard under a row of hanging green leaf garlands, with palm trees and stone deity sculptures behind. A square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform, scattered with marigold petals. Several shaved-headed priests in white dhoti and shawls, with ochre and white body markings and gold necklaces, sit around the fire and place offerings. A framed portrait of a woman in orange sits on a red and gold throne at left, and a seated figure in orange robes sits at the far right near a Shiva lingam. Devotees in white sit on mats in the background, and a kalasha and brass pots lie near the platform.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual at a yagna or homa setup. A bald man in a white dhoti with an orange-red border and a long beaded mala stands centre, holding a lit flame in his right hand and a small bell in the other. Strings of green leaves and hanging banners in red, yellow and blue decorate the open pavilion above him. In the foreground, a brass lamp with a burning flame and a brass kalasha-style vessel rest on a white platform, beside a flower garland and a green silk-wrapped deity murti. Seated devotees in white clothes with mala beads sit with hands folded in prayer on the left and right. Mats, metal plates and offerings are spread on the ground.2010-10-15