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Night outdoor ritual under a canopy of green leaf festoons and hanging colourful tassel banners. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border raises a lit camphor-style aarti flame in a brass lamp holder, with a bell in his other hand, standing before a large circular golden ring. Seated devotees in white clothes with folded palms surround a low table holding brass vessels, flowers, fruit and a green and gold cloth. A bald man in white with a gold chain and rudraksha-like beads sits in anjali posture on a purple mat at right, and a brass oil lamp stands in the foreground. Several other seated participants fill the background.

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Night-time ritual at an open outdoor pavilion hung with yellow-orange ribbons, leaves and a looped brass arch. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with red border stands centrally holding a brass lamp and a bell, with beaded necklaces. Seated around a white-draped low table, several men in white dhotis and shawls sit with hands folded in prayer, one holding a bundle of grass. A brass lamp, flower garland, a green silk-covered object and offering plates sit on the table. Other onlookers stand in the background.2010-10-15Night outdoor ritual at a yagna or homa setup. A bald man in a white dhoti with an orange-red border and a long beaded mala stands centre, holding a lit flame in his right hand and a small bell in the other. Strings of green leaves and hanging banners in red, yellow and blue decorate the open pavilion above him. In the foreground, a brass lamp with a burning flame and a brass kalasha-style vessel rest on a white platform, beside a flower garland and a green silk-wrapped deity murti. Seated devotees in white clothes with mala beads sit with hands folded in prayer on the left and right. Mats, metal plates and offerings are spread on the ground.2010-10-15Night-time ritual outdoors under a canopy hung with leaf garlands, circular golden rings and decorated cloth banners. A bald priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border and a gold-bead necklace stands at centre holding a lit lamp and a small brass vessel. Around him, seated priests in white clothes perform the puja, one with hands joined in prayer on the right. Brass oil lamps with flames burn in the foreground, along with a brass kalasha and a deity murti draped in a green silk cloth and marigold garlands.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night ritual under a open-sided pavilion decorated with orange triangular pennants, hanging tassels and green leaf garlands. A standing priest with a shaved head, wearing white dhoti and shawl with a saffron-and-red border and a gold-coloured necklace, holds a lit flame over a fire pit or homa offering while a brass lamp and ritual vessels rest on the platform. Seated priests in white clothes, one in a green silk wrap, perform the rite. Devotees sit on the ground at the sides, and a red throne cushion holds a framed portrait of a woman in orange garments. Stone deity murtis and a tall decorated pillar appear in the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night ritual under an open-sided pavilion hung with green leaf garlands, orange triangular flags and tasselled decorations. A bald man in white dhoti and shawl stands at right holding a lit flame in a metal vessel toward the seated group. Several seated priests in white with rudraksha malas chant with folded hands, and a bearded man in white sits at lower right. Before them, a red and gold throne holds a framed portrait of a figure. Brass oil lamps burn on the steps, and a flowered vessel and offerings lie nearby. Statues and illuminated figures stand in the background, consistent with a Chandi Homa fire ritual.2010-10-16 +2 copiesNight-time ritual outdoors under a canopy hung with banana leaves, colourful woven hangings and yellow ring-shaped decorations. A standing priest in white dhoti and shawl, wearing an orange-beaded mala, holds a lit lamp toward the group. Several seated men in white dhotis, some with shaved heads and orange or beaded necklaces, sit on a mat with folded hands or handling brass vessels. A brass oil lamp with a flame stands in the foreground beside a decorated green and gold deity murti with flower garlands, and offerings and plates are arranged on the floor. Smoke rises in the background.2010-10-15Night ceremony under a corrugated roof decorated with hanging striped cloth tassels, orange triangular pennants and a green leaf garland. A standing priest in a white dhoti and orange-striped shawl holds a lit flame and waves it toward a seated group. A red throne with gold trim holds a framed portrait of a woman. Seated priests in white and orange wraps sit on a raised platform beside brass lamps, a kalasha-like vessel, brass plates and offerings, while a large seated crowd in white watches. This appears to be a homa or aarti ceremony.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 15 20102010-10-15Night outdoor ritual photograph. A priest in white dhoti and shawl with red-bordered edges, wearing a beaded necklace, stands centre holding a lit flame in a brass vessel while waving it before him. Around him, seated devotees in white clothing with palms pressed together face the scene; one has a shaved head and tilak markings, another wears a gold necklace. In front, brass lamps, bowls of offerings, marigold garlands and a green and purple cloth sit on a low platform. Palm fronds, bamboo-hung leaf garlands and a decorated banner hang overhead, with circular metal hoops above. The scene suggests an aarti or homa-style puja.2010-10-15