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A night ritual before a decorated goddess murti in a temple hall lit by many small red-orange lights strung along the walls. A sign above reads "SRI ... ESHWARA TEMPLE". The large central murti, a goddess with a golden halo and sari, stands on a lion-like mount with other smaller figures and garlands around her. In the foreground a fire pit blazes as a homa is performed. On the left, a priest in a white dhoti with an orange-gold border holds a lamp near the fire, while a second figure in orange robes stands behind him holding a ritual vessel. On the right, a seated devotee in orange robes and beads sits with palms pressed together. Brass lamps and offerings sit around the fire pit.

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October 03 20112011-10-03Night photo inside a temple hall decorated with string lights. A large deity murti with an ornate golden halo and crown stands on a platform, with a lion or tiger mount and attendant figures, garlanded with flowers. In front, a fire pit burns as a homa. A priest in a white dhoti with an orange-bordered shawl, marked with orange cloth and a flower garland, holds a lamp near the fire. On the right, a seated person in orange robes with a rudraksha mala presses palms together in prayer on a red chair. Brass oil lamps, bowls and offerings sit on the floor. A banner reads Sri Sri Adishakti Temple style signage above.2011-10-03October 03 20112011-10-03Night ritual homa at a temple with a large fire burning in a white square fire pit in front of an ornate deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms and a white decorated halo, flanked by smaller figures. A bald man in orange-saffron robes with a rudraksha-style necklace stands at right, holding a long ladle or torch of flame over the fire. A second man in orange garments bends over at left, and a seated priest in white with a mala sits at lower left beside brass vessels of offerings, rice and fruit on banana leaves. Strings of red lights and an oil lamp decorate the walls, and a sign reads Sri Nithyananda Temple.2011-10-04October 03 20112011-10-03October 04 20112011-10-04October 04 20112011-10-04October 04 20112011-10-04Night ritual at a temple with a sign reading Sri Nithyananda Deshika Temple. A deity murti group with a large ornate golden-white halo is decorated with garlands and lit by a flame. A priest in white dhoti with gold border, bare-chested, stands at left holding a lamp toward the deity. A fire pit with a bright flame sits in front. At right, a seated person in saffron-orange robes with a rudraksha mala, hands folded in prayer, sits in a red and gold throne-style chair. Strings of red lights and oil lamps line the back wall, with framed posters beside.2011-10-03Night photo of a fire ritual (homa) in front of a temple shrine decorated with string lights. A large fire burns in a square fire pit on a stepped platform. A man in a saffron-orange garment with rudraksha beads and a bare, shaved head holds a long ritual torch toward the flames with his right hand. Behind the fire stands an ornate deity murti with a white-and-gold halo and crown, flanked by smaller murtis. To the left, a seated priest in white dhoti and a white shawl with a beaded necklace tends offerings, with brass vessels and food on the floor. A sign above the shrine reads Sri Sri Desikendra Temple. Ornate red-and-gold chairs and framed photographs appear at the right edge.2011-10-04A night-time homa at the Sri Nandeshwara Temple, with a large fire burning on a white stone fire pit in the foreground. Behind it stands a large goddess murti with a white crown and red-and-gold sari, flanked by smaller figures and a lion mount, surrounded by a halo of white fan-shaped decorations and strings of orange lights. On the left, a bald young priest in a white dhoti with gold trim and gold necklaces holds a metal bowl. On the right, a priest in a saffron-orange turban, bare-chested and wearing an orange dhoti and rudraksha mala, pours an offering into the flames with a long ladle. Pale flower petals lie on the stone floor, and a tall wall sign reads SRI NANDESHWARA TEMPLE.2011-10-05Night ritual at a temple shrine lit by many small oil lamps strung along the back wall. A deity murti with a large ornate silver-and-gold halo stands behind a white stone homa pit where a fire blazes. On the left a priest in a white dhoti with gold border stands facing the shrine, holding ritual items. On the right a seated man in orange-saffron robes and a rudraksha mala sits with hands folded in prayer on a red cushioned seat. Brass vessels and a lamp stand on the platform in front. A banner and a wall display are visible in the background.2011-10-03