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Night ritual in an open hall with a fire pit and offerings. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and white upper cloth sits at left beside a small flame and brass vessels, performing a homa. Behind a white marble platform with a dark central pit stands a large decorated deity murti with a golden crown and ornate white arch, flanked by additional painted figures and a lion beneath. Brass oil lamps stand on the platform. Fruit, coconuts and plates of offerings are arranged in the foreground. At right, a person in red-and-gold dress sits on an ornate red and gold throne-like chair beside another seated priest in white. Hanging striped cloth panels decorate the walls.

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October 11 20102010-10-11Night-time puja before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess seated on a lion, with multiple arms and a crown, set in an ornate white floral arch under a fringed canopy. Smaller murtis of Ganesha and other deities flank her, with brass oil lamps lit on either side. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti, bare-chested with a rudraksha mala, sits at a white abhishekam platform with brass vessels and offerings of bananas, mangoes and coconuts. A second priest in white kneels in the background. On the right, a person in a red and gold sari sits in a gilded red throne-like chair. Multiple people are present but only a few are clearly visible.2010-10-11October 11 20102010-10-11October 11 20102010-10-11A night-time puja held under a thatched canopy hung with mango leaves and tassels. At the centre, a large deity murti with many arms stands on a decorated platform, flanked by smaller murtis and white floral arches. In front, a priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha mala, tends a flame near a fire pit and brass lamps. A seated figure in a red-and-gold chair, wearing a dark dress, sits in the right-centre; a man in saffron robes sits on the floor beside a folded-hands devotee in saffron at the far right. Trays of fruit, sweets, coconuts and offerings cover the white cloth in the foreground. The scene shows a homa-style ritual with offerings.2010-10-11A night-time homa ritual before a deity murti of a multi-armed goddess, shown with a lion mount and several attendant figures. A priest with a bare shaved head, wearing a white dhoti and a gold necklace, sits on the left beside a small fire burning in a metal pit. In front of the murti are a large white square altar, brass oil lamps, and trays of fruit, coconuts and vegetables spread across a white cloth. On the right, a seated person in an orange-trimmed red garment sits in a red cushioned chair with a gilded armrest. Ornate white floral backdrops, decorative umbrellas and a red-and-gold canopy frame the scene.2010-10-11October 11 20102010-10-11 +1 copiesA night-time ritual at a temple in Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam with a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess framed by white ornate arches, a golden canopy overhead, and red string lights. In front, a fire pit is lit and several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit at the homa platform, one tending the fire. Women in orange and red saris sit nearby. Brass vessels, a plate of fruit, bundled sticks and a small oil lamp lie on the orange mat. On the right, a man in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne with a seated attendant beside him, and a standing man in white and orange holds a book. A figure in white on the left stands in the background.2010-10-16A night-time homa ritual in a decorated pandal lit with red fairy lights. A white-clad priest with a shaved head kneels at a square fire pit, tending it, while another white-clad priest sits beside him. Behind the pit stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a red-and-gold figure, flanked by smaller murtis, ornate white floral arches and a gold-fringed canopy. Women in orange and red saris and devotees in saffron sit on the platform. At right, a figure in a white turban and white dhoti sits on an ornate red-cushioned throne, with attendants in saffron and orange around him. Brass vessels, a silver kalasha-style pot, bowls of fruit, lit oil lamps, incense smoke and a folded white cloth lie in the foreground.2010-10-16Night ritual at a temple-like stage decorated with red and orange cloth, string lights and hanging banners. In the centre a large deity murti with many arms and a red-and-white garland stands before an ornate silver-white arch. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a white stepped altar, lifting one arm toward the murti while attending to brass bowls, a silver pot and a kalasha. Fruit offerings, marigold petals and a tray of dried plants lie on the orange floor cloth. Women in red and orange saris sit in rows on the left and right, one seated priest in white pours or tends near the altar, and another man in white with a shawl stands at a lectern reading from a book. A small oil lamp burns in the foreground.2010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa at a temple shrine decorated with a large white-and-red ceremonial umbrella, strings of green leaves and hanging red-and-white decorations. Behind the central fire pit, a large white ornate image of a goddess with multiple arms and a fierce form stands on a dais, with smaller white-framed deity figures beside her. In the foreground, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and sleeveless vest kneels at the square fire pit, with a second priest in white beside him tending the fire. Several women in red and orange saris sit on the left, some seated with their hands together, and smoke rises from the homa. Offerings are arranged on brass plates including apples, oranges and bananas, with a brass bell, lamps and a kalasha-type vessel nearby. On the right, a man in a white turban and white garments sits on a gilded red throne beside a seated figure, with a man in white and a shawl standing behind. Additional devotees in white stand along the back wall beneath strings of lights.2010-10-16Night-time ritual inside a open-sided pandal decorated with strings of fairy lights and hanging tassels. At the centre, a large white altar stands before a deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a crown, flanked by white floral decorations and additional figures. Brass lamps and offerings surround the altar, including bowls of fruit, sweets, red flowers and bundled sticks spread on a white cloth. A bald priest in white dhoti with a red-bordered cloth kneels at the right with hands folded in prayer, while a shaved-headed young boy in white sits in front of the altar, also in prayer. A woman in white sari sits to the left. An empty red velvet throne with gold trim stands at the far right.2010-10-13