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Night outdoor homa at a covered open-air pavilion decorated with bunting, tassels and string lights. A large fire burns in a white stone fire pit with layered square tiers, flames rising high. A priest in white dhoti sits cross-legged at the lower left beside brass plates and offerings. Two men in white and saffron-trimmed cloths stand at the fire, one with a turban, one bare-chested, tending it with long rods. Seated devotees fill the left side, and standing figures with folded hands stand in the background. On the right is a deity murti adorned with a red garland and a large crown-like headdress, flanked by brass oil lamps, fruit, sweets and an orange silk cloth. Many people are visible seated in rows in the background.

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Night ritual outdoors under a canopy hung with orange and white triangular bunting and yellow leaf garlands. A large fire blazes on a tiered white stone homa altar in the foreground. A priest in white dhoti and an orange-yellow turban stands at the fire holding a brass plate, while another white-clad ritual assistant beside him holds a lamp. Seated devotees in white and orange line the left side. On the right, a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount, flanked by smaller figures, is garlanded with red flowers, with brass oil lamps and fruit offerings on a purple cloth. A string of lights glows behind the murti.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16Night photo of a Chandi Homa at an outdoor pavilion. A priest in a white turban and orange-gold beaded necklace holds a flaming torch beside a tiered white stone fire altar where a large fire burns. Other priests in white dhotis and shawls stand with hands folded in prayer, and seated devotees in white fill the left foreground. On the right, a richly decorated deity murti with a lion mount, garlands and a silver crown is surrounded by brass oil lamps, kalasha-like offerings, fruit and sweets on brass plates. Strings of flags and lights hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time outdoor homa at a Chandi Homa. A raised white stone fire pit with a large open flame sits in the foreground, surrounded by marigold petals, with a brass lamp and a round bronze plate nearby. Three men in white ritual dhotis stand behind the fire: the one on the left holds a flaming torch and wears a white head covering with bead necklaces, another stands in a white dhoti with a bare upper body, and a third in a white shawl stands beside them. A woman in white sits with hands folded at the lower left. Behind them, additional people in white stand and sit. To the right stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a lion mount, adorned with garlands, a crown and a decorated backdrop; brass oil lamps and trays of fruit and offerings are arranged on purple and gold cloths. Strings of lights, saffron pennants and banana leaf decorations hang overhead.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time Navaratri puja in a decorated pandal. In the foreground, a bald priest with a rudraksha-style garland and a white dhoti sits on his knees facing the altar. Behind him, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a lit flame in a vessel above a small step platform, while other white-clad figures stand and sit along the left. On the right, large deity murtis with decorative white crowns and garlands, including an elephant-headed figure, stand beside brass lamps, fruit and offerings. Strings of lights and orange bunting hang overhead.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +2 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight outdoor ritual under a pavilion hung with red and white triangular bunting and red tassels. At left, a priest in white dhoti and shawl raises a flaming lamp over a fire pit as seated men in white clothes watch from the left edge. Standing priests in white with folded hands and a bare-shouldered figure in white stand behind. To the right, an altar holds fruit, brass oil lamps, a kalasha-style vessel and a large deity murti with a yellow-orange crown and garlands, beside a clay image of an elephant-headed deity; string lights glow in the background. A chandi homa fire ritual with aarti is taking place.2010-10-16