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A photograph of a Navaratri puja at a temple shrine with large durga-style deity murtis behind, one with multiple arms holding weapons and garlanded with red and white flowers. Lit oil lamps stand on a white platform. A bare-chested man in white dhoti with a gold chain performs aarti, while a white-clad priest in white dhoti and shawl sits cross-legged on the floor, extending his hand over an offering. A man in white dhoti stands at left holding a lamp. Several girls in maroon and red saris, with flower garlands, sit nearby watching. Marigold petals and a tray of incense sticks lie on the floor. Decorative white silver-like arches frame the deities. No one present is clearly identifiable as a person from appearance cues.

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A temple puja scene before a large multi-armed deity murti of Durga with a red-and-gold figure on a lion-like mount, flanked by additional goddess figures in white and red adornments. In the foreground a shaved-headed priest in white dhoti and white shawl kneels at a low white altar, pouring offerings from a small vessel, with a small silver-and-red decorated image on a peetha. Oil lamps burn on brass stands, and a standing attendant in white dhoti holds a lit lamp. Three young girls in red and maroon saris sit to the right, with garlands of flowers and marigold petals scattered on the altar. Dried twigs and offering plates lie in front.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph in a decorated temple hall lit by string lights. Three men in white dhotis are at a white-and-black stone platform strewn with yellow and orange petals. The kneeling man on the left in a white dhoti and gold necklace pours from a vessel. A bald man in white stands behind him holding a container aloft. On the right, a man in a white dhoti with a gold necklace and bangle holds a brass lamp over the platform. Women in red and maroon saris sit in the background. Behind them a large decorated backdrop shows a goddess murti with a lion and silver ornamentation under a canopy. Brass bowls, a bell and kalasha vessels sit on the floor. This appears to be an abhishekam or puja at a deity murti.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA Chandi Homa ritual at an ashram shrine before a large deity murti of Durga with multiple arms holding weapons, surrounded by white floral and lace-like decorations. A man in a white dhoti and white cloth at the top of the frame, bare-chested with a thin shawl, stands at left offering a fruit onto a fire-pit or offering table lined with white stone steps, while a young girl in a red and gold dress reaches to place an orange. Another girl in a red outfit sits at right, and a seated priest in white dhoti with a yellow cloth, bare-chested, tends the offerings with dried sticks and flowers in brass plates. Brass oil lamps, flower garlands and marigold petals fill the foreground, and a figure in orange at far right is partly visible.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.2010-10-16Night homa at a fire pit during Navaratri celebrations. Two priests in white dhotis and shawls stand and kneel at a square white fire pit with a dark central opening, one pouring from a silver vessel and another holding a ritual vessel over it. A smoky haze rises from the pit, and flower petals and dried sticks lie on its raised base. Behind them, a large decorated deity murti with silver ornaments and a canopy stands among red and white lights. Several women in orange and red saris sit on mats at right, and an oil lamp burns nearby. The scene suggests a homa or yagna ritual.2010-10-16Photograph of a Navaratri puja in a dimly lit temple shrine. In the foreground a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl with a red border sits cross-legged on a mat, hands pressed together in namaskar, wearing gold necklaces. Behind a stone altar with brass bowls, lamps and yellow and purple flowers, a large decorated deity murti of the goddess with a lion mount, surrounded by ornate white and silver arches and garlands. Several women in red and maroon saris sit in the background, and additional figures in white stand at the right. Strings of red lights hang on the right wall.2010-10-16Night ritual photograph at an ashram temple beside a large white and gold deity display with several goddess murtis dressed in red and silver, one with a crown and trident-like emblems. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a black stone yoni-peetha platform on white steps, pouring liquid from a metal vessel onto the stone, while other priests and women in red and maroon saris stand or sit around. Brass bowls, oil lamps, a bell, flower petals and red lights frame the scene. A bald priest in white with a gold necklace holds an offering on the right. A tall striped pillar and a cloth canopy are visible.2010-10-16Night photograph of a homa or yagna ritual before a large decorated deity murti with a golden crown and multiple arms, flanked by smaller figures. A priest in white dhoti and shawl, with a rudraksha-style bead necklace, holds a lit lamp or flame aloft at left. Seated devotees in white clothes at right and centre have their hands folded. In front is a white marble-edged square fire pit with a dark central opening, scattered flower petals, brass vessels, a kalasha, fruit and offerings. Strings of red fairy lights and a fringed canopy frame the scene, with smoke rising in the air.2010-10-16Night-time homa ritual under a temporary pandal with a tiled roof and hanging festive lights. At the centre, a bald priest in white dhoti and shawl pours from a brass vessel over a white fire-altar platform, with brass bells, a bowl and a small lamp set before him. Another white-clad priest kneels and assists beside a sprinkle of petals. Behind, women in red and maroon saris sit in rows, several wearing gold jewellery. Above the altar stand large decorated deity murti, adorned with white floral garlands and an umbrella canopy. Scattered wood sticks lie on the white cloth in the foreground.2010-10-16