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A photograph of an outdoor puja at a shrine decorated with white and pale-blue backdrops and a large white canopy. Standing at the left, a man in a white dhoti and upper cloth plays a small hand drum. Several seated priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit on white cloth before brass vessels, lamps and offerings, some wearing gold necklaces and rudraksha beads. Behind them stands a multi-armed goddess deity murti wearing a white crown and garland, flanked by other decorated deity figures, with a lion-mount figure at the base, multicoloured parasols and striped hangings. A puja of the Chandi Homa type is in progress.

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October 16 20102010-10-16A night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa puja at an ashram. Several shaven-headed priests in white dhoti and cloth draped over the upper body sit and stand on a raised platform. One priest in a white garment holds a brass tray while another in white pours or offers a red cloth toward a large deity murti of the goddess Durga, shown with multiple arms and holding weapons, seated on a lion. The murti is framed by white floral decoration and an umbrella canopy. Strings of coloured lights and green leaf garlands hang overhead. Brass and steel plates of red offerings, fruit, flowers and puja items are arranged on the cloth in front. Other deity murtis and decorated umbrellas stand to the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a Devi puja at an outdoor stage. A large goddess murti with many arms, dark flowing hair and a lion mount stands at the centre, framed by white floral arches, garlands and a canopy of green leaves. Several smaller murtis flank her. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti holds a brass vessel and raises one arm toward the altar. Another white-clad priest kneels at the platform, and a seated man in orange robes with white markings sits to the right, his palms together. Young girls in red and maroon clothes sit among the worshippers, and oil lamps and brass vessels stand on the white platform steps, with flower petals scattered across the cloth.2010-10-16Night ritual at a Chandi Homa: a square fire pit with smoke rising sits on a white marble platform strewn with petals, with brass vessels, a bell, a spoon and a kalasha-like pot in front. Behind it a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms stands framed by ornate white decorative arches, with lamps and rows of murtis beside her. A man in white dhoti with bare chest and tilak holds a vessel at left, another in white stands pouring offerings, and a seated man in white with garland and a seated man in saffron robes sit at right. A figure in a white robe and white turban sits on a red and gold throne-like chair, while a bearded elder in saffron robes with white markings on his arms sits at right. Strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16A night-time photograph of a Chandi homa in a decorated hall. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold border kneels at a white and black square fire pit, pouring ghee with a ladle over the offerings while flowers lie on the pit's edge. Another priest in white stands at left, raising a brass vessel toward the fire. Behind them stands a large decorated deity murti with a canopy, flanked by smaller murtis and garlanded figures; several women in red and orange saris sit nearby. At right, a man wearing a cream-and-saffron turban, white garment and long gold necklace smiles while seated on a red and gold throne-like chair. Strings of lights and a brass plate sit in the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies