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Night-time Kaali pooja at a fire ritual in an indoor hall. In front of it stands a golden-and-blue deity murti of Mother Kaali with a crown and raised arms, flanked by brass oil lamps, green plants and red-and-gold drapes. A brick-lined fire pit blazes with a bright flame in front of the murti. A man in an orange-red robe with a red garland stands at left holding a lit ritual implement, while two seated priests in saffron and orange robes attend the fire at right. Brass vessels and a bell sit on the ground, and a few partially visible people appear in the foreground.

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Night ritual at an ashram hall during a Kali pooja and homa. A large black backdrop displays a sepia portrait of a man in a light turban with a serene expression, labelled by the caption as Swamiji context but not visibly named here. Below, a blue-skinned deity murti of Kali with a gold crown and raised arms stands on a red and gold altar decorated with marigold garlands. In front, a fire burns in a brick-lined pit. A woman in a red sari stands at left holding a lamp, while several men in saffron robes sit on the floor around the fire, one tending it with a long stick. Brass vessels and a metal kalasha sit in the foreground, and a tall garlanded pole stands at right.2006-10-21A dimly lit night ritual at a homa altar: a fire burns in a brick-walled fire pit in front of a deity murti of Kaali, blue-skinned with a golden crown and tongue, flanked by flowers and kalasha-like vessels. A large dark backdrop shows a painted or printed portrait of a bearded figure in a turban and draped robes, with a gold tiered lamp stand to the right. On the left, a figure in red garments with bare shoulders stands with hands joined in prayer, while seated priests in saffron/orange robes tend the fire and offerings, including a figure in orange at the right of the pit and a seated figure at left. Silhouetted heads of onlookers appear in the foreground. Chandi homa and Kaali puja ritual.2006-10-21A photograph of a homa fire ritual at night in a temple hall. Central fire burns in a brick-lined fire pit (kund) on a raised platform. Behind it stands a large black backdrop with a printed portrait of a man wearing a pale turban and gold-toned garment, and a small deity murti with a crown sits before the fire on a red and gold stand. Three priests in saffron-orange robes sit around the fire; one in the centre leans toward it with a stick, another at right wears a white-beaded necklace. Brass pots, offering plates, a kalasha-like vessel and rows of oil lamps line the foreground, and a standing fan is visible at left. Strings of gold lights hang beside the platform. The printed portrait is an image on a backdrop and is not counted as a physical person.2006-10-21Night fire ritual in a dimly lit hall during Kaali pooja. In front of it stands a small deity murti of Kali with a golden crown and raised arms, decorated with flowers, a golden gateway-style frame and garlands. A standing priest in red-orange robes pours an offering from a vessel into a burning fire on a white brick fire pit. Other people in saffron and orange robes sit or kneel around the fire, one with a rudraksha-style mala, and a small brass oil lamp tower with flames stands at right. A pedestal fan is at left.2006-10-21A night puja at an indoor stage set for a homa. A large backdrop of gold draped fabric carries a sepia portrait of a smiling man in a turban and shawl, a depiction rather than a physical person. Below it a deity murti with a blue face stands in a shrine with red fabric, garlands and tall brass lamps. In front, a fire burns in a white brick fire pit. Several robed priests in saffron and orange clothes sit cross-legged around the fire, one in red, and rows of brass bowls with offerings fill the foreground, while about a dozen seated devotees watch from the bottom edge of the frame.2006-10-21A dimly lit night ritual before a fire pit built of white bricks, with a tall blaze at its centre. Behind it stands a small deity murti with raised arms and a golden crown, set on a red and gold decorated platform with potted plants and a tall brass lamp stand to the right. Several people in saffron and orange robes sit on the floor around the fire, some with rudraksha malas and white garlands, tending the homa and offering from brass vessels and plates. A standing figure in an orange-and-red wrap and garland stands at left, while a dark drape hangs behind the altar. Consistent with a homa or puja scene.2006-10-21A photograph of a fire ritual at an indoor shrine with a blue-painted wall and a large dark backdrop showing a sepia portrait of a smiling man in a turban with a shawl. In the centre, a brick fire pit blazes beneath a blue-skinned deity murti with a golden crown and ornaments, surrounded by green leaves and flower garlands. A standing figure in a red shawl, bare-chested, holds an oil lamp toward the fire. Five seated people in saffron-orange robes sit with hands folded around the fire, with brass bowls, a silver vessel and offerings in front of them. Tall tiered brass lamps stand at right.2006-10-21A night puja at a temple shrine with a large dark backdrop bearing a sepia portrait of a man wearing a cream turban and white garment, shown bare-shouldered; the backdrop is labelled by the page as a portrait, so it counts as a depiction. In front, a small blue-skinned deity murti in gold and red adornment stands on a decorated platform. A white brick-like altar with lamps and offerings sits below. Three men in orange and saffron robes perform the rite: one on the left holds a plate, and two on the right hold a lit lamp and burning offerings. Silver vessels, a metal pot, brass bowls, green leaves and flower garlands surround the altar, and tall tiered oil lamps stand on the right.2006-10-21Dim photograph of a Kaali pooja at night inside a hall framed by dark red drapes. Beneath it a small deity murti of Mother Kaali stands in a gilded shrine surrounded by green plants and lamps, with a tall lit lamp stand to the right. Several robed priests in orange and saffron sit before a bright fire on a white brick-like fire pit. A long row of small oil lamps lines the floor in front, and seated devotees in white clothes fill the lower foreground. The top-left corner shows a blue bird logo, and a faint copyright line appears at the lower right.2006-10-21A photograph of a Kaali puja at an ashram hall. On the central altar stands a blue-skinned deity murti of Kaali with a crown and multiple arms, flanked by garlands, palm fronds and a tall golden lamp stand. Several priests in orange and saffron garments sit before the altar amid brass vessels, oil lamps and offerings, and a video camera on a tripod is set in the foreground. A standing fan and a brick-like arrangement with offerings sit at the front of the stage.2006-10-21A dim night ritual inside a temple hall for Kali pooja and Chandi homa. At centre, a fire burns in a square brick fire pit in front of a blue-skinned Kali murti with four arms, gold crown and jewellery, wreathed in marigold garlands and flanked by potted plants and palms. Behind it hangs a large dark backdrop with a tall printed portrait of a turbaned man in glasses, wearing draped gold fabric; a sign or caption on it is not legible. Tiered brass oil lamps (aarti lamps) line the right side. In the foreground, a woman in a red sari with red garland sits on a chair holding a lit aarti plate, beside a man in orange robes with a white garland performing the ritual. Another man in orange robes on the right holds his hands in prayer, and others in orange sit near rows of brass bowls filled with offerings, and a small electric fan stands at left.2006-10-21A warmly lit hall during a Kaali pooja and fire ritual. A large framed photograph hangs behind the altar, showing a smiling man in a golden-brown turban and draped garment. Beneath it stands a deity murti of Mother Kaali with blue skin, multiple arms and a red tongue, flanked by red and gold draped cloth and banana-leaf and flower decorations. In front of the altar a square fire pit of white bricks burns with bright flames. Three saffron-robed priests sit on the raised stage, one in a red sari-like garment tending the fire, while another stands with hands folded. Rows of brass and steel bowls filled with food offerings cover the lower steps. Several seated devotees in white clothing face the stage, and a small brass vessel sits to the right.2006-10-21