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Night ritual in a decorated hall with a white marble fire pit (homa kunda) at centre. Several priests in white dhotis with bare upper bodies and white sacred ash marks on their foreheads and arms perform the rite, one pouring offerings from a silver bowl into the fire. Behind them stand large white-and-blue deity murtis framed by ornate white floral arches, with garlands of yellow and white flowers and brass lamps. On the right, a seated man in orange-saffron robes, a red-orange mala and a gold-trimmed red velvet throne watches the ceremony, with a standing attendant nearby.

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October 15 20102010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night-time ritual at an outdoor pavilion decorated with illuminated fairy lights and a large deity murti with blue and red painted figures, garlands and white ornamental arches. In the foreground, shaved-headed priests in white dhotis with bare upper bodies and white tilak markings perform a ritual over a white stone yagna or abhishekam platform holding a bowl of rice and offerings. Two other priests sit behind them in white with gold necklaces. On the right, a man in a saffron-orange robe with rudraksha mala beads and a long swept-back hairstyle sits on an ornate red and gold throne with a gold-trimmed armrest, hands folded in his lap. Fruit, flower garlands and brass plates lie in front of the platform.2010-10-15October 15 20102010-10-15Night ritual homa at a fire pit in front of a decorated deity murti with a smoky haze rising. A seated priest in a white dhoti with a sacred thread and beaded necklaces tends the fire, while a second person in white dhoti and a gold necklace sits on a red-and-gold throne chair holding a tray of flowers. Men and women in saffron and orange robes sit nearby, one older man in orange with a shaved head and white body markings holding a small vessel. Brass bowls, a kalasha-style vessel, and scattered marigold petals lie on the stone platform. Warm string lights glow in the background.2010-10-16Night-time ritual pooja in an outdoor pandal decorated with orange and white floral arrangements and hanging leaf garlands. At center, priests in white dhotis with bare upper bodies and white tilak markings perform rites at a white stone altar holding a metal lamp and offering vessels. Behind them stands a large ornate deity murti with multiple arms and red garments, flanked by white floral-decorated figures. On the right, a figure in orange robes and a gold necklace sits on a red and gold throne, with another orange-robed sannyasi seated beside him. Brass trays of flowers, grains, and coconut-like offerings lie on white cloth in front.2010-10-15 +1 copiesNight-time photograph of a Chandi homa ritual in a temple pavilion. A priest in white dhoti with bare upper body and gold armlet sits cross-legged at a white marble fire altar, handling a ritual object over brass vessels and kalasha. Behind him stands a large deity murti decorated with white floral arches, garlands and a red-robed goddess form. Beside the altar, a figure in white dhoti and a white turban sits in an ornate red throne with gold trim, and another seated person in white is nearby. Bowls of red kumkum or flowers and oil lamps surround the altar, with string lights in the background and a beige armchair to the right.2010-10-16 +1 copiesNight-time homa or yagna at a temple-style pandal decorated with a large ornate silver-white arch framing painted deity murti and garlanded images. In the foreground a bare-chested priest in white dhoti with red border and gold neck ornaments sits at a white stone fire pit, extending his arm and holding a metal dish of offerings, with brass oil lamps and offering vessels around. Behind him, several men in white dhotis and white shawls sit on the floor. On the right, a figure in saffron-orange robes and long rudraksha-style beaded mala necklaces sits on a red velvet throne with gold trim, appearing to observe the ritual. Red fairy lights, hanging colourful tassels and a Kannada-script banner fill the background.2010-10-15A night-time homa ritual in a decorated hall. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and sacred markings pours an offering from a vessel over a white square fire pit where a dark fire burns, with brass bowls, a ghee vessel and flower petals around it. Behind the pit stands a large ornate deity murti framed by a silver arch, surrounded by people in orange and saffron robes. On the right, a figure in white is seated on a red and gold throne, with a sannyasi in orange robes and white-streaked forehead seated beside him. Strings of red lights and hanging fabric decorate the background. Smoke fills the air.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph in a temple hall lit by string lights and oil lamps. A central shrine holds a large deity murti flanked by smaller murtis, with a white decorated arch and a canopy above. In the foreground a young man in a white dhoti with a white shawl sits cross-legged on a mat beside a white platform strewn with flower petals and brass vessels. To the right a person in white clothes with a white turban and gold necklace sits on a red ornate throne, hands folded. At the far right edge an older bearded man with white tilak marks wears an orange-red robe, hands folded in namaskar. Several other people in white sit near the shrine. Identity cannot be confirmed from appearance alone.2010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa ritual at an outdoor ashram pandal. A large white-and-silver decorated frame surrounds a Devi murti with multiple arms, red-and-white garlands and a lion mount beside her. In the foreground, a priest in white dhoti kneels before a square homa fire pit emitting smoke, with brass bowls, a kalasha and marigold petals on the white platform. Behind, a seated group of young boys in white garments sits on the floor, and a man in white holds a microphone while standing near a red-and-gold throne. On the right, an ascetic in saffron-orange robes with a white-bearded face and rudraksha mala holds a brass tray. Strings of lights and a hanging lantern decorate the backdrop.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual in a decorated open pavilion with a large clay deity murti of a goddess riding a lion, adorned with white and silver decorations and flower garlands, with brass oil lamps lit in front. On the left, a shaved-headed man in white dhoti sits cross-legged before a square fire pit or homa altar with flower petals scattered around it. Behind him, several seated people in white and a standing man in white with a turban hold trays and make gestures. On the right, two standing men in saffron and orange-red robes, one with a bare chest and white body markings, join palms in reverence beside an empty cushioned chair. Hanging red and green pennants, flower decorations and twinkling lights frame the scene, with smoke rising in the background.2010-10-16