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A night-time puja inside a decorated temple pavilion, lit by string lights and a few oil lamps. On the left, a large deity murti with a white floral halo and garlands stands beside smaller figures. Four or five men are visible: a bearded man on the right in a red-orange cloth with white body markings and a sacred thread holds a yellow flower and offers a ritual gesture; a man in orange robes stands centre-right holding a silver plate; a man in a white dhoti with a white turban holds a plate with a flame; and a man kneels in white and yellow cloth, bent over a shallow white altar with brass vessels and flower petals. Brass lamps, a dark stone slab and bundles of sticks lie on the white cloth in front. A plain armchair sits to the right.

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A night-time photograph inside a temple-style tent of a Durga Chandi homa. On the left, a large ornate image of a goddess with many arms, dark hair and a garland, stands beside other deity murtis and decorated framing. In the centre, a bare-chested priest in white dhoti kneels on the platform beside a square fire pit with a small flame and brass vessels. A standing man in a white turban and white robe holds a silver plate, while a man in saffron robes stands at the right. A bearded figure with ash-marked body, long hair and a reddish-orange cloth stands at the far right, raising his hand. Several seated people in white sit behind the platform. Flower petals, a white throne-like chair and red and gold hangings fill the scene.2010-10-16Night ritual inside a temple hall decorated with a goddess murti in an elaborate silver and white arch, with painted deity images and red-and-gold hangings. A small white-clad boy sits at left, and a row of seated young boys in white garments watches. In the centre, a man in a white dhoti kneels at a white puja platform with brass bowls and flower petals. A standing man in an orange robe and a woman in a white sari hold a brass plate, while a bare-chested sadhu with white sandalwood markings and rudraksha malas holds a lit oil lamp aloft. Other standing figures wear saffron and white. Marigold petals, a small dark mat, and a bowl of offerings lie on the floor, and strings of coloured lights glow in the background; this appears to be an aarti during a festival.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Nighttime photo of a Chandi Homa ritual under a temporary open-sided pavilion. In the foreground a man in white dhoti with yellow-trimmed cloth and garland kneels beside a dark rectangular fire pit (homa kunda) with flower petals and brass vessels around it. A standing man in white cloth holds a brass aarti plate, and a man in saffron-orange robes stands beside him. At right, an older bearded man with white-marked body and reddish-saffron dhoti, holding a flower, stands by a cream-coloured seat. Behind them is a large illuminated goddess deity murti with a decorated silver-white frame, oil lamps, and a row of seated young devotees in white. Red bunting, string lights and colourful hanging cloth decorate the tent.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time ritual in a decorated temple pavilion with a large goddess murti dressed in white and red, framed by an ornate silver arch and surrounded by smaller deity images and oil lamps. In the foreground a man in white ritual cloth sits cross-legged before a black square fire pit or yagna altar with brass vessels and marigold petals. A man in white with a turban holds a silver tray, while a standing man in a saffron-orange robe and a shaved-headed sadhu with white-painted markings and a bare upper body hold a flame, consistent with a homa or aarti. Several young boys in white sit on the left near the deity. Red and multicolored hangings and string lights decorate the background, and a cream armchair stands at right.2010-10-16A night ritual scene in a temple-style pandal decorated with lights and hanging red and white bunting. On the left stands a large white-and-silver deity murti of a goddess with garlands, flanked by smaller figures and an oil lamp on a brass stand. In the centre a young man in white ritual dhoti and a white head-cloth raises a lit lamp. A man in a yellow dhoti bends low over a white marble homa or yagna pit, while boys in white sit near the deity. On the right a saffron-robed monk holds a silver plate of offerings and a bearded sadhu with white sacred markings on his forehead and arms, wearing a rudraksha mala and a rust-coloured cloth, stands beside a cream armchair. Flower petals and brass vessels lie on the floor.2010-10-16A photograph of a night-time puja inside a decorated open pavilion. On the left, a large goddess murti with multiple arms and a red-and-gold garment stands behind a white-and-gold arch. In front, a man in white dhoti crouches at a white stone homa/yajna platform tending a fire pit, with brass vessels, a bowl and a small oil lamp nearby. Standing at the right, a man in a white shawl and orange cloth holds a silver tray with a kalasha-like offering, while a bearded man with white-painted forehead and arm markings in red-brown cloth holds a small plate. A red-and-gold peetha/throne sits behind them, with string lights and hanging red and yellow pennants. Several seated priests in white are at the back-left. Visible physical people: about six.2010-10-16Night-time ritual photograph inside a decorated hall with a large elaborate deity murti of a goddess with a crown, lion mount and silver halo at left, and small figures seated near it. A man in white dhoti with white ash on his body sits cross-legged before a black stone yajna or homa fire pit strewn with petals and flanked by brass vessels and oil lamps. Standing at right, a man in orange robe and a bare-chested man in red-brown dhoti with white markings hold their palms together in prayer near a throne-like seat. A bearded man in white with an orange turban stands holding a silver tray. Smoke rises and strings of lights glow in the background.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16