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Night photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual held outdoors under a canopy. Several large deity murtis draped in white garlands and flower decorations stand in the background, including a goddess figure in red and gold with a flower garland. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and bare upper body sits cross-legged at a stone homa fire pit, tending the fire with a long ladle. Trays of red offerings and copper vessels lie on white cloth. Beyond the pit, a person in white dhoti and shawl with a white turban and gold necklaces sits on an ornate red and gold throne, with a priest in white seated beside him reading from a text on a stand. Strings of lights and colourful pillars decorate the space.

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October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of an evening Chandi Homa at an ashram pandal decorated with red and orange drapes, strings of lights and a large deity murti framed by white floral arches. A priest in a white dhoti with a red border stands at left holding a silver tray and a brass plate. In the centre, a shaved-headed priest in white with a yellow cloth kneels beside a square fire pit, offering from a small bowl, while women in red and orange saris sit nearby with brass lamps and flowers. At right, a smiling young man in a cream turban and white garment with gold ornaments sits on a red-cushioned seat with an orange cloth draped over the armrest. Marigold petals are scattered around the fire pit and a brass vessel sits on the floor.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, decorated with white floral backdrop and a canopy above. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises his arm beside a square fire pit with a dark ash surface, brass pots, oil lamps and scattered flowers. Smoke rises through the frame. Seated to the right, a man in white with a yellow shawl and bead necklace sits on a red and gold throne-like chair holding a tray, while beside him a man in orange robes with white markings on his arms and forehead sits on a cushion. Several other seated figures in orange and red clothing face the fire, and string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa ritual under a open-sided pandal decorated with hanging flags and string lights. A standing priest in white dhoti and orange-gold shawl holds a lit lamp or flame before a fire pit, while several seated priests in white and cream clothing sit on mats around the offerings. Brass plates hold red flowers, grains and fruit. Behind them stand large deity murti with white decorative arches, including a lion mount and a multi-armed goddess figure adorned with garlands. Red cushions and a white canopy frame the right side.2010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight photograph of a puja ceremony under a canopy strung with lights and bunting. Several shaven-headed priests in white dhotis sit cross-legged on a mat in front of a decorated deity display of multiple painted murtis and ornate white-and-silver backdrops. A standing priest in white holds a lit oil lamp, an aarti gesture. Brass lamps, metal plates of offerings and red flowers or petals lie on the mats. Red cushions and an orange cloth sit at the right edge. No one is clearly identifiable as a person in the visible frame.2010-10-16A night puja at a temple-like hall decorated with orange cloth, leaf garlands, paper lanterns and fringed umbrellas. At centre stands a large white-framed goddess murti with many arms, a lion mount beneath her. In front, a white altar holds a small fire and oil lamps. A priest in white dhoti with a gold necklace kneels and tends the fire while another priest in white stands behind him. A seated elderly man in saffron-orange robes with a turban and white beard sits in a cushioned chair at right, hands folded in reverence, next to an attendant in orange. Several young girls in red and gold dresses sit near the altar and small children in white shirts and dark clothing watch from the foreground. Visible printed banner text on the right wall.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual inside a temple pavilion lit by oil lamps and strings of small lights. At left, a large deity murti with multiple arms, garlanded and seated on a lion, stands beside a white altar with a dark square basin and brass vessels. A bare-chested priest in white dhoti with a sacred thread kneels at the altar, pouring from a small vessel. Behind him, a man in white with a white turban holds a silver plate. An older sannyasi with white beard, white forehead markings, and reddish-brown cloth stands at right beside an empty cream armchair. A man in orange robes stands centre-right. Marigold petals cover the floor and bundles of sticks lie on a white cloth. Several other seated figures in white are in the background. Pandals and red and cream banners hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa ceremony. Several priests in white dhoti and shawl sit around a square fire pit with a sunken centre, pouring offerings and ghee; some wear gold necklaces and sacred thread. Behind them stand large white-framed deity murtis, including a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount. Brass oil lamps, plates of fruit, bowls of flowers and rows of dried red chillies are arranged on the altar. Strings of lights and colourful festival banners hang in the background. On a red velvet throne with gold trim sits a framed portrait of a saffron-clad figure with long hair, labelled as a portrait rather than a physical person. Four to six priests are visible in the scene.2010-10-16 +2 copies