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A photograph inside a decorated hall during a Hindu ritual. On the right, a shaved-headed priest in an orange-red turban and orange-red dhoti stands with palms pressed together and a garland around his neck, facing a gold-and-red throne (peetha) draped in yellow and orange flowers with a trident beside it. Gold umbrellas frame the throne. On the left, a row of women in red and maroon saris sit with hands folded in prayer, wearing flower garlands. In front, a square altar is built of yellow turmeric-coloured blocks with coconuts, brass bowls, flower petals and a kalasha. Two white-clad attendants stand in the background beneath green foliage and hanging lights.

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October 21 20152015-10-21October 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +3 copiesA photograph of a ritual hall during a Chandi homa. In the foreground, six women in red and pink silk saris sit cross-legged on a red and multicoloured mat, wearing marigold garlands, with brass bowls and a brass vessel before them. A brick-built fire pit lined with yellow bricks and marigold petals sits in the centre. To the right, a man in a red-brown robe with a red turban sits with folded hands on a gold-and-red raised throne (peetha) draped with a garland of yellow and red flowers, flanked by ornate gold parasols. A priest in white dhoti stands at the far right near the pit. Green leaf festoons hang across white draped walls, and a deity murti decorated with garlands stands at the left edge.2015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesA ceremonial puja in an open tented hall. On the left, a deity murti sits within an ornate gilded shrine decorated with garlands, flanked by two young women seated on the floor in white and cream clothing with garlands. A priest in a dark reddish-brown dhoti bends forward, offering something near a yellow-brick fire pit (homa kunda) with small oil lamps and offerings. On the right, a man wearing a red-orange turban, a red shawl and a flower garland sits with hands folded on a gilded throne with red cushions, under an ornate ceremonial parasol. Additional gilded parasols, orange ceremonial banners and rose petals on the floor complete the setting.2015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesOctober 21 20152015-10-21 +1 copiesRitual scene in a large hall with a decorated raised dais at the back. A seated figure in red-and-saffron ceremonial clothing and a red headcloth sits on a gold-and-red throne under gold parasols, with a green leafy backdrop. On the left, several women in red and orange saris with flower garlands sit in a row on striped mats. In the centre, a square fire pit of yellow bricks stands among brass vessels, leaves, coconuts, flowers and plates of offerings. A bare-chested priest in saffron dhoti stands on the right holding a ritual implement, with other priests seated nearby. The scene reads as a yagna or chandi homa ceremony with darshan from the dais.2015-10-21 +1 copies