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A night puja before a decorated shrine of deity murtis framed by white lace arches and red backdrops, with a large goddess figure at centre and smaller figures of Ganesha at left. Five women in saris with flower garlands sit in front, holding pink flowers and lamps. A bare-chested priest in an orange-brown dhoti stands at left facing them, a lit oil lamp and smoke rising in the background. Strings of leaves and bright colour fill the scene.

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Night ritual before large painted deity murti figures decorated with white lace-like arches, marigold garlands and a central goddess with multiple arms holding weapons. Five young women in colourful saris and jewellery sit cross-legged on a raised platform, each holding a pink lotus, with marigold garlands and bindi. A bare-chested priest in an orange-red dhoti and turban stands at the left edge, facing them, with his back to the camera. Brass oil lamps flank the altar and a glowing golden arch frames the central image. Green leaf festoons hang above the scene.2016-10-10October 10 20162016-10-10A nighttime photograph of a Navaratri devotional scene with women seated in a row on a raised platform before large decorated deity murtis. Six women in red and maroon saris wear marigold garlands and hold pink flowers and offerings in their hands. Behind them, a tall goddess murti with many arms and a white-and-silver adorned figure stand within white lace-trimmed arched shrines flanked by vivid painted forms. A lit oil lamp stands at center, and a priest in orange-brown dhoti stands at the left edge. A photographer in white kurta stands to the right of the central murti. Strings of green leaves hang overhead. The scene suggests a puja or aarti during the Navaratri festival.2016-10-10Night ritual before a large decorated shrine with a central goddess murti shown with multiple arms and a crown, flanked by two smaller shrine niches with figures and garlands, a ganesha-like elephant-headed figure on the left. Seven women seated on a stone platform wear saris in purple, green, red and maroon, all with marigold garlands. A man with a saffron-orange turban and bare upper body in an orange dhoti stands at left holding a lit oil lamp toward the women. In the foreground, rows of seated devotees, including a child, face the platform from below. Paper bunting and bright shrine lights frame the scene.2016-10-10Night photograph of a Navaratri puja at a temple-like stage decorated with pastel arches and a central goddess murti with multiple arms. Six young women sit in a row on a raised platform wearing jasmine and marigold garlands, colourful silk saris in green, pink, red, blue and purple, and tilak on their foreheads. Several hold pink flowers. Idols of Ganesha and other deities stand beside them, and a small oil lamp glows at the centre. Marigold petals are scattered on the floor, and strings of festoon flags hang overhead.2016-10-10Five women sit in a row on a raised stone platform before large painted deity murtis at night, with a small oil lamp and a fire burning near them. Each wears a garland of white and yellow flowers over a saree in red, maroon, or green. Several hold pink lotus-like flowers in their hands, and the central woman in maroon wears a dark head covering. Behind them stand decorated murtis, including a Ganesha with a pink trunk and a multi-armed goddess, all draped in garlands and surrounded by white lace-like arches. Devotees' heads are visible in the lower edge of the frame. The setting suggests a puja or aarti during the Navaratri festival.2016-10-10Night photograph of six young women seated in a row on a raised stone platform before a decorated shrine of deity murtis, including a Ganesha figure and goddess figures with arched white-and-red backdrops. The women wear colourful silk saris and pavadai-style dress in blue, red, green, magenta and yellow, with gold borders, white and orange flower garlands, and bindi or forehead markings. Several hold pink lotus flowers and small oil lamps flicker in the centre. Smoke drifts across the scene. No a person candidate is visible.2016-10-10Night photograph of a festive puja on a raised stage before large painted and decorated deity murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure with a sword and a Ganesha figure at left, all draped in white lace-like arches, marigold garlands and green leaf strings. Five or six women sit in a row in the foreground wearing red, maroon and green saris with flower garlands, holding pink flowers and offerings; a brass oil lamp burns at the left. A man at the left edge wears an orange-red cloth and a red turban-style head covering. Spectators' heads appear at the bottom edge.2016-10-10Night photograph of a Navaratri-style puja at a temple stage lit by a fire and warm lamps. Six young girls in traditional dress, garlanded with white flower necklaces, sit in a row before a fire pit with offerings. Behind them stand large clay deity murtis: an elephant-headed Ganesha in colourful dress, a goddess with many arms holding weapons, and other painted murti figures inside white arched frames. A man with a shaved head and bare upper body stands at the far left edge. Strings of orange and green leaves hang across the roof, and a fan sits at the right.2016-10-10Several young women sit in a row on a raised stone platform before a shrine decorated with white and red arched backdrops and garlands. Behind them stand large murtis, including a multi-armed goddess figure at centre and a figure with an elephant head on the left. The women wear colourful silk saris and lehengas in blue, red, green, and striped tones, with long white and yellow flower garlands, bangles, and pink lotus flowers in their hands. Oil lamps glow in front of the central shrine, and a bright flame burns near the centre. Marigold petals are scattered on the platform. Five or six women are visible in the foreground.2016-10-10Night photograph of a Navaratri puja set up under a canopy strung with leaf festoons. Six young girls sit in a row on a raised platform wearing colourful saris and salwar-style dresses in blue, green, magenta, purple and striped tones, each with white flower garlands. A fire burns in a central brass vessel before the murtis, and oil lamps stand on the platform. Behind them are large decorated deity murtis in arched frames with white floral borders, including a multi-armed goddess figure at the centre and an elephant-headed figure to the left, with a pedestal fan at the right edge.2016-10-10October 16 20102010-10-16