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Night ritual photograph in a temple hall with smoke in the air and a square stone homa fire pit in the foreground. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl, wearing gold necklaces and sacred thread, pours from a brass vessel beside the pit. Other priests in white sit to the left, one bare-chested with a gold chain. Behind them a standing woman in an orange sari holds a lamp. Colourful decorated deity figures stand in the background, including a multi-armed goddess with a lion mount and a figure with a trident, decorated with garlands, white floral arches and a canopy. Brass oil lamps, bananas, fruits and offering plates sit on a red cloth at right.

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A photograph of a temple ritual in progress beneath a large decorated canopy. A saffron-robed figure stands at the centre-left, while a shaved-headed priest in white kneels at a square fire pit with offerings, and several white-clad priests sit around it with gold chains and sacred thread. Behind them, large deity murti with decorated faces and garlands stand under white ornamented arches, including a figure with raised arms holding weapons and a lion mount. Brass oil lamps, bowls of fruit, bananas, and plates of offerings sit on red and purple cloths in the foreground. Coloured strings of lights and festoons hang across the ceiling.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15 +1 copiesA night ritual in a decorated hall before a large white-and-gold deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a lion mount, framed by a tall ornamental arch and a red-and-white canopy. In the foreground a man in white dhoti and gold necklace kneels at a square fire pit (homa kunda) with a brass bowl and oil lamps, while others sit in white near offerings and flower petals. Standing to the right, a man in a white turban and white robe holds a silver tray, beside a man in a saffron-orange robe, and an elderly bearded sadhu with bare upper body, white forehead markings, a turban and red-orange cloth holds a ritual item. Strings of fairy lights glow behind them. Several people are seated near the murti and a few more stand at the back. Two figures in this group wear distinctive saffron or orange clothing but lack the required combined cues for identification, so a person is unsure.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16A night ritual inside a decorated temple hall with a large deity murti of a goddess, surrounded by smaller painted clay-style figures and white floral halo arches. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold garland kneels beside a black square fire pit (homa kunda) on a white stepped platform, with flower petals and brass vessels nearby, and brass oil lamps and bells on the left. A child in white sits near the left lamp. Standing at right, a man in saffron robes with a bare torso and white body markings holds his hands in añjali, while another standing figure in white wears a yellow turban and holds a tray. Red and gold hangings and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a dimly lit temple hall during a homa fire ritual. A deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands in an ornate silver-and-white arch, flanked by smaller decorated murtis and a large umbrella canopy above. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti sits cross-legged at a white stone homa pit, tending the fire, with brass vessels, oil lamps and scattered flower petals around it. Beside him seated boys in white clothes sit in rows near the murtis. To the right a man in an saffron-orange robe holds a silver tray, and an elderly ascetic with a white turban and rudraksha mala stands in maroon robes with a bare chest and tilak. Strings of lights glow behind a red-draped seat.2010-10-16Indoor ritual scene in front of a decorated deity murti of the goddess with multiple arms, framed by ornate silver-white backdrop and red-and-gold hangings. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with a flower garland crouches beside a square homa fire pit with white steps and a brass bowl. A man in white robes holding a silver tray stands beside a figure in saffron-orange robes holding a brass vessel. At right, an older bearded sadhu in orange-red wrap with white body markings holds a small object. Several young boys in white sit near the deity and oil lamps glow on the floor, with flower petals scattered around.2010-10-16A night-time photograph inside a decorated temple hall during a Chandi homa. In the centre, a square fire pit lined with white stone sits on a cloth-covered floor scattered with flower petals, with brass vessels and oil lamps nearby. A young man in white ritual cloth and a rudraksha-style necklace kneels at the pit. Behind, a standing man in white with a saffron-coloured cloth over the shoulder holds a brass plate, and a man in saffron robes stands beside him. On the right, a bearded sadhu in orange-red cloth with white forehead markings and a mala stands with his arms folded. Behind them is a large deity murti with a lion, framed by white decorative arches and garlands, with several children in white seated near the altar.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual before a decorated deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with a large white umbrella overhead and a Ganesha figure and other painted idols beside her. A fire pit lined with white marble sits in front of the altar, with flower petals, brass bowls and oil lamps around it. A young man kneels at the pit wearing a white dhoti and gold garland. Standing at right, a figure in a saffron-orange robe holds a brass plate, and beside him a bearded man with a white turban and white body markings stands in a rust-coloured cloth. A tall figure in white robes with a yellow turban and garlands stands centre-right, raising a hand. Several boys in white sit along the back of the altar, and tiered lights glow in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa at a ritual space decorated with a large deity murti surrounded by white ornate arches, flower garlands and small lamps. A seated priest in white dhoti and shawl with a yellow-marked forehead tends a square fire pit, its black surface edged by white steps strewn with flower petals and brass vessels. Behind him a standing attendant in white with a turban holds a brass plate, next to a robed sannyasi in orange clothing. On the right an elderly bearded sannyasi in orange-red dress with white body markings and rudraksha beads stands with ritual objects. Other seated participants in white sit by the deity platform. Bronze oil lamps and bowls rest in the foreground.2010-10-16