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A night-time Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor pavilion. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at center-left holding a flaming lamp aloft, while several shaved-headed men in white dhotis and gold necklaces sit cross-legged on a mat before a square fire pit with smoke rising. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti of a goddess rides a lion, with multiple arms and white floral frames, surrounded by smaller figures, lit lamps, kalasha-style brass vessels, plates of offerings and fruit. Strings of coloured lights and bunting hang overhead under a canopy. Around the sitting men are trays of food and offerings, and a red cushioned seat with orange cloth is at right.

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October 16 20102010-10-16Night-time outdoor puja before a decorated deity murti of Durga-like form with multiple arms, seated on a lion beside other murtis, under a white fringed canopy with strings of lights behind. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with gold necklaces waves a flame lamp. Seated devotees in white dhotis, several with gold chains, sit on mats around a square homa pit with a bowl of flowers, fruit, plates and a brass lamp in front. Garlands, bananas and a row of brass oil lamps surround the murtis. Hanging decorative poles and banners frame the scene.2010-10-15October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor pavilion. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a sacred thread and beaded necklace, stands at left holding a flaming lamp over a fire pit, smoke rising. Around the pit, several seated men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, some with shaved heads, sit on mats with brass vessels, plates of offerings and marigold garlands. Behind them stands a large elaborately decorated image of the goddess Durga with ten arms, seated on a lion, beside other figures, framed by white floral arches, colourful umbrellas and string lights. Brass lamps and offerings in red and yellow fill the foreground.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesA night-time ritual at an outdoor shrine decorated with fairy lights and colourful pennants. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl holds a lit flame or aarti lamp toward a large deity murti adorned with white flower garlands, a lion mount and a crowned goddess figure with multiple arms. Seated devotees in white dhotis, some with rudraksha malas, surround a square fire pit with smoke rising, and brass plates of offerings, fruit and red flowers are arranged on the ground. A red and orange sofa-like seat with orange cloth stands at the right edge. a person is not visibly identifiable among the people present, so no candidate is named.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual homa at a temple pavilion. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti stands at left holding a flaming ladle over a square fire pit of blazing wood. Around the fire, about a dozen seated men in white dhotis and cloths, some wearing gold-bead necklaces, sit on mats with brass plates of offerings, fruits and flowers. To the right, large ornate deity murtis in white and silver decorations, including a figure with a crown and weapons, stand beside brass lamps and strings of fairy lights. Hanging banners and painted pillars frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a temple puja inside a decorated pandal with fairy lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha-style beads holds a tray of offerings near a large goddess murti with multiple arms, a bright blue body, and a white ornate halo and canopy. Beside it are smaller murtis and a decorated frame. Three seated men in white dhotis sit on a mat in the foreground, one holding a brass plate with flowers. A woman in a blue sari sits at right on a red cushioned chair. Oil lamps and a flower garland are visible at the altar. Two people are partly visible at the far back.2010-10-15Night-time puja at an outdoor temple stage before a large deity murti of the goddess, with a white umbrella canopy and white floral decoration. A priest in white dhoti and shawl stands at left raising a lit lamp toward the deities, with fairy lights and bunting above. Several seated devotees in white clothes sit on a mat in the foreground, one wearing a yellow-trimmed dhoti. A figure in orange robes kneels at the right beside offerings, and a person in a blue shawl sits on a red velvet chair at far right. Smaller deity figures, including an elephant-headed form, are arranged around the central image, with kalasha-style decorations and brightly coloured canopies.2010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at a Chandi Homa. A standing priest with a bare upper body and white dhoti holds a lit oil lamp or flame near a brick fire pit in front of him, while several seated priests in white clothes and beaded necklaces chant around the pit. Behind them a large decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, lion mount and ornate white backdrop is adorned with red and white garlands, and a Ganesha figure stands nearby. Oil lamps, fruit offerings, flower petals and brass vessels sit on the ground. Strings of multicolour lights and tall decorated poles frame the scene.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time outdoor puja under a temporary pavilion decorated with orange and multicolored pennants, hanging tassels and strings of lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, with rudraksha-style beads, holds a lit lamp before a decorated deity murti area with tall white floral arches, a lion mount and goddess figures garlanded in marigolds. Several seated men in white dhotis and bare shoulders sit on mats around a brick homa/yagna pit with brass vessels, lamps, flower offerings and plates of food. A red cushioned seat and orange cloth sit at the right. No clearly visible face of a person candidate is identifiable from the described cues, so the figure is described only by role.2010-10-16 +2 copies