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Night photograph of a Kaali pooja and Chandi homa at an ashram. On the left, a figure with long dark hair and a red shawl draped over bare shoulders holds a lit oil lamp, its flame raised toward a brass hanging lamp stand. In the lower centre, a seated man in orange clothing with rudraksha beads and a long necklace sits before a blazing fire pit, lit by a sacrificial fire with wooden sticks laid to it. To the right stands a blue-skinned deity murti of Kaali with a gold crown, gold ornaments, red garlands and raised arms holding objects, placed on a red and gold cloth with yellow flower garlands. Potted plants and wheat stalks surround the altar.

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Night photograph of a Kaali pooja and homa at an outdoor shrine. A large, colourful murti of Goddess Kaali stands on a raised platform with blue skin, gold ornaments, a jewelled crown, and garlands of marigold beads, with red flowers and potted plants around it. In front, a fire burns in a brick fire pit. On the left, a person in a red wrap stands beside a hanging brass lamp, holding a flame to its lamps. Lower left, a man with long dark hair and an orange garment sits near the fire, and at right a person in orange clothing has hands folded in prayer. Metallic silver drapes hang behind the shrine.2006-10-21A night ritual at a fire altar before a large Kali murti with blue-grey skin, a gold crown and gold ornaments, holding raised arms and red flowers. A flame rises from a brick-lined fire pit in front, surrounded by potted plants, brass vessels and marigold garlands. On the left, a figure in red draped cloth stands with raised hands in an arati-like gesture, and a seated person in orange cloth with a rudraksha-style necklace sits near the fire. Hanging bells and metallic decorations and a silver backdrop complete the scene.2006-10-21Night photograph of a Kaali pooja and fire ritual. A figure in a red wrap and red garment, with a long-haired appearance and a garland at the neck, holds a lit oil lamp or flame in one hand while standing at the left. Seated beside a brick fire pit is a priest in orange robes with a bead necklace, tending the blazing fire. Behind the fire stands a blue-skinned deity murti of Kaali with a golden crown, multiple arms holding objects, a gold-embroidered garment and a garland, flanked by potted plants, flowers and a yellow bead mala draped over a red cloth with an om emblem. Brass bowls and a metal lamp stand on the ground, and a shining silver backdrop hangs behind.2006-10-21A night ritual before a golden murti of Goddess Kaali, who has blue-black skin, a gold crown and a garland of yellow flowers, with her multiple arms raised. In the foreground a fire blazes on a brick hearth. A man in a red wrap and garland stands at left holding a lit lamp or torch toward the flame. Another man in orange, seated behind the hearth with a metal bowl, tends the fire. Potted plants, a metal lamp stand and a dark draped backdrop frame the altar, with peacock-feather decorations at right. The scene appears to show a homa or puja.2006-10-21Night ritual photograph at a Kali puja. A long-haired man in a red robe sits on a white brick platform, raising his hand over an offering, with a fire burning in front of him. Beside him a younger figure in orange robes and white beaded necklaces sits near a metal bowl. Behind them stands a painted, gold-adorned deity murti of Kali with blue skin, raised arms and a crown, draped with a yellow marigold garland and set among green leaves, palm fronds and flowers. Brass lamps hang at left and smoke drifts through the scene.2006-10-21Night ritual scene at a temple shrine during a homa. A large golden-and-blue Kali murti with raised arms, holding a sword and other implements, stands above a shrine draped in red and decorated with marigold garlands and potted plants. In front, a fire burns in a white brick fire pit. On the left, a figure in a red robe with long hair raises a flaming offering vessel toward the shrine. Beside him, a bearded priest in orange robes and rudraksha beads sits watching. On the right, two devotees in orange clothes sit with hands folded in prayer, with brass bowls and a tall brass lamp stand nearby.2006-10-21A photograph of a Kaali pooja and homa at night. A tall man with long dark hair and a bare right shoulder wears a red draped garment and a yellow-flower garland, standing at left beside a fire pit. Behind the fire, a golden deity murti of Kali with blue skin, a crown and red hands stands before draped silver cloth, with potted plants and an ornate hanging lamp nearby. In front, a seated priest in saffron robes and a beaded necklace tends the flames, and a brass bowl sits near the fire pit. Marigold garlands decorate the altar and the fire pit.2006-10-21Night photograph of a Kaali pooja at a homa altar. A large blue-skinned deity murti of Kali, adorned with gold crown, gold ornaments and garlands, stands on a raised red and gold altar draped with a yellow marigold garland and potted plants. In front, a fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit with offering bowls around it. Two seated men in orange and red robes with rudraksha-style necklaces sit at the left; one holds a steel bowl. Brass oil lamps hang at left and steel offering bowls line the foreground.2006-10-21A night fire ritual at a homa pit built of white bricks, with a bright orange flame rising from the centre. On the left, a bare-chested man with long dark hair and a red cloth at his waist, seated and gesturing toward the fire, may be a person given the long swept-back hair and ceremonial dress, though the appearance is only partly visible. On the right, a devotee in orange robes sits beside a large brass vessel. Behind them stands a golden, blue-skinned deity murti of Kaali with a crown and many arms, garlanded with marigolds and flanked by plantain leaves, with brass lamps and offering bowls on the brick platform and a hanging brass lamp overhead.2006-10-21Indoor Kaali pooja at a homa fire on a low brick hearth. A large blue-skinned Kaali murti with a golden crown and jewelled ornaments stands at right, with red flowers, potted plants and a red-and-gold cloth at its base. A seated man in a maroon robe with a long orange-and-yellow garland holds a multi-tiered brass aarti lamp over the fire while a palm-leaf stalk rests across the front. Beside him, a monk in saffron robes with white ritual markings and beads sits near the flames, and another saffron-clad attendant is partly visible at left. Dark draped fabric, a hanging chandelier and a white fan form the backdrop.2006-10-21Night ritual at a fire pit (homa) before a golden, blue-skinned deity murti of Kali with raised arms, a red tongue and a gold crown, decorated with red garlands and a yellow marigold garland. A tall flame rises from the brick fire pit. On the left, a man in red-orange robes and long dark hair sits on a chair holding an object over the fire, while a younger man in orange robes with a rudraksha mala sits beside him. On the right, two young men in orange robes sit with hands joined in prayer near offerings and brass oil lamps. Tall brass lamp stands and palm leaves surround the altar under a draped tent.2006-10-21October 21 20062006-10-21