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Outdoor ritual under a corrugated metal roof strung with red, green and yellow hanging tassels and bunting, with palm trees behind. Centre-right, a standing man with a bare chest and white dhoti with yellow border gestures with raised hands toward a seated group. Seated before a purple-and-red cloth altar are several priests in white dhotis and white upper cloths, one with a shaved head, around brass oil lamps (nanda vilakku), kalasha-style vessels, and trays of fruit, coconut, bananas, pineapple, watermelon, oranges, sweets and kumkum/turmeric powder. A framed portrait stands on an easel-like stand near the centre. Left foreground, a woman in a green garment and white embroidered blouse holds a lamp and others hold aloft shining sticks. A red-and-orange shrine with statues and a tall decorated pillar stands at right. Photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOutdoor ritual under a corrugated roof with palm trees and strings of green leaves and small red and orange flags overhead. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with a yellow-bordered cloth holds a lit flame in a lamp toward an altar, with flames visible. Seated priests in white, one bald and bare-chested, attend around low tables laden with bananas, fruits, coconuts, flowers and brass lamps. At left, large deity murti figures are adorned with garlands and a decorated canopy. Behind the altar a framed picture of a deity sits on a red-and-gold backdrop. Some devotees stand in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15 +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 ceremony under a corrugated roof decorated with colourful striped bunting, hanging fabric banners and palm fronds, with palm trees behind. On a raised orange-and-white platform, a seated person in a bright red-and-gold throne chair wears orange robes. A figure in white ritual cloth sits cross-legged at the front, while other people in white and orange clothing attend nearby. A small pool or basin sits at centre. Brass lamps, a kalasha-style vessel, bananas, lemons, fruit and a white fly-whisk (chamara) lie on a purple cloth in the foreground. Several dozen seated devotees, many in white, sit on mats and steps facing the platform. Stone and bronze statues appear along the right side.2010-10-15Outdoor 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 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 copiesA homa fire ceremony under an open-sided pavilion with a corrugated roof and hanging decorations, palm trees behind. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and a pink headband raises a ladle or spoon toward a yellow-framed fire pit with flames. Seated beside him, bare-chested men in white and orange-saffron cloths hold brass vessels and offerings; a basket of white grains and a tray of flowers sit on a striped mat. Behind them, a large seated crowd of people in white clothes watches the rite. A sign-like panel and a microphone appear at right. The scene looks like a yagna or homa with offerings, with a deity murti and a brass kalasha at left.2016-09-09