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Outdoor 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.

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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 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 copiesOutdoor 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.2010-10-16 +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 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +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 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor 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 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.2010-10-16