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A photograph of a priest performing aarti before an image of the goddess Durga, shown in a white sari with a lion mount and a green demon figure beneath her. The priest, seen from behind, is bare-chested with an orange-and-saffron cloth over his shoulder and a rudraksha mala around his neck, holding a multi-tiered brass lamp aloft with flames. Garlands of yellow and orange flowers drape the deity shrine, with another white-clad goddess figure and a child-like figure to the right. Trees and a red-and-white striped backdrop surround the open-air shrine.

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A priest seen from behind, bare-shouldered with a saffron-and-gold cloth draped over his body and a rudraksha mala around his neck, performs aarti with a multi-tiered brass lamp whose flames rise toward a shrine. The shrine holds a deity murti framed by a white lace-like arch, with two female figures in white garlanded with yellow and purple flower strands, a lion mount, and a green-skinned figure with a weapon. Marigold garlands, a red cloth on the altar, and a floral runner decorate the platform. A second decorated altar with garlands and gold ornaments stands to the left, and trees appear behind the shrine. The priest is the only physical person; the figures on the shrine are statues.2014-10-03October 03 20142014-10-03October 03 20142014-10-03October 02 20142014-10-02A shaved-headed priest with his back to the camera, wearing an orange-and-saffron dhoti and shawl and a rudraksha mala, performs aarti with a lit flame on a brass plate before a decorated deity murti. The murti shows a goddess with a white silver-patterned backdrop, marigold garlands, a lion mount and a multi-armed figure beneath, with a red cloth on the platform. Trees, bunting strings and a white boundary wall with red stripes surround the outdoor shrine.2014-10-03A bare-chested priest with a saffron-orange cloth draped over his shoulder performs aarti before a large deity murti of Goddess Durga with a white lace-like arch behind her. The priest raises a multi-tiered brass oil lamp with flames toward the figures. The goddess wears a white sari with red border and yellow-marigold garlands, flanked by smaller figures including a green-skinned figure and a child figure holding a sword. A lion sits at the base beside the figures. To the left stands a decorated altar with a golden crown and yellow garlands. Trees and a bright sky form the backdrop. No other people are visible.2014-10-03October 02 20142014-10-02A priest in a saffron-red dhoti and shawl stands at left, extending his arm toward a large deity murti of the goddess Durga with multiple arms, white and silver lacework halo, and a trident and weapons raised. She is flanked by two smaller female figures, a lion mount crouches in front, Ganesha sits at lower left, and marigold and yellow-and-purple garlands drape the figures. Oil lamps and a red cloth cover the altar base under trees and a canopy outdoors.2014-10-03A priest in a saffron-orange cloth with a rudraksha mala raises a flaming oil lamp (aarti) before a group of white-clad deity murtis decorated with yellow and red marigold garlands. The central figure is a white goddess image with a large white ornate crown-like backdrop; flanking figures include a green-skinned deity and a figure with an elephant-headed form. A second man in white dhoti with a gold border stands at right, facing the altar. Outdoor setting with trees and a canopy; a decorated altar cloth and painted lion and offering trays lie in the foreground.2014-10-02A shaved-headed priest seen from behind, bare-shouldered, wearing an orange-and-gold dhoti and shawl with a rudraksha mala around his neck, stands in front of a decorated deity murti. The murti is a goddess figure in white ornamental fabric with a crown-like arch, flanked by a lion and a figure with a face of a bull or similar animal, all draped with yellow and orange marigold garlands. A decorated throne-like stand with garlands sits to the left, a red-and-maroon carpet lies before the murti, and a flame-lit puja area with a wooden platform is in the foreground under trees. The setting appears to be an outdoor shrine with a small metal bell and hanging bunting.2014-10-03Outdoor puja before a large white-and-ornate deity murti of Durga, decorated with yellow and orange marigold garlands and a red cloth draped on the altar; a lion mount and other murtis flank the central figure. A priest in a brown dhoti and shawl raises a hand holding a small lamp or incense vessel toward the murti under a corrugated roof. Beside him stands a younger boy in white dhoti with a rudraksha mala, watching the ritual. Red-and-white painted pillars and green foliage frame the scene.2014-10-02October 04 20142014-10-04