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A night-time ritual at a decorated shrine with a large deity murti in the centre, framed by white and gold ornamental arches and red fairy lights. In front, a priest in white dhoti sits at a low white altar with brass vessels, a bell and fruit offerings, while other ritual assistants in white and orange sit nearby. On the right, a seated figure in a saffron turban and white garments sits on a red throne-like seat with devotees in orange robes beside him. Oil lamps burn and smoke rises near the murti, with garlands and foliage strung overhead.

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October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA night-time homa ritual in a decorated pandal lit with red fairy lights. A white-clad priest with a shaved head kneels at a square fire pit, tending it, while another white-clad priest sits beside him. Behind the pit stands a large deity murti of a goddess with a red-and-gold figure, flanked by smaller murtis, ornate white floral arches and a gold-fringed canopy. Women in orange and red saris and devotees in saffron sit on the platform. At right, a figure in a white turban and white dhoti sits on an ornate red-cushioned throne, with attendants in saffron and orange around him. Brass vessels, a silver kalasha-style pot, bowls of fruit, lit oil lamps, incense smoke and a folded white cloth lie in the foreground.2010-10-16A night-time Navaratri worship scene in a temple hall decorated with red and gold draping and fairy lights. A large image of a multi-armed goddess murti, with ornate silver-framed arch behind her, presides over the shrine. Several priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, one with a shaved head and gold chain, kneel at a raised white altar making offerings, lighting an oil lamp and preparing ritual items. Fruits on silver plates, brass bowls, a kalasha-style vessel and bundled twigs sit on a white cloth on the floor. Women in red and orange saris sit to the left, and a standing priest in white reads from a book at right. Roughly a dozen people are visible, including a seated figure in a white robe beside a red velvet chair. The scene reads as a Dasara puja.2010-10-16A night puja at a temple shrine with a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, framed by white floral and sequined arches and tiered alcoves holding smaller figures. A shaved-headed priest in white dhoti kneels at a stepped white altar, pouring from a silver vessel, while devotees in red and orange saris and clothing sit on the floor. Fruit, a brass lamp and a kalasha sit on mats and cloth in front, and a lit oil lamp glows. A standing priest in white holds a book at right. Fairy lights and banners decorate the background, and small brass bells rest on the floor.2010-10-16A night puja at a temple shrine before a large deity murti of a goddess with a crown and many arms, flanked by smaller decorated murtis and white-and-silver floral arches. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls, some bare-chested with gold necklaces, kneel at a square fire pit with brass vessels, bells and offerings of fruit and flowers on white cloth, while women in orange and red saris sit in rows behind them. A bearded man in a white shawl stands at the right holding a book. Red lights and orange drapery decorate the background, and the scene suggests a homa or puja ritual.2010-10-16A night-time ritual at a temple in Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam with a large deity murti of a multi-armed goddess framed by white ornate arches, a golden canopy overhead, and red string lights. In front, a fire pit is lit and several men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies sit at the homa platform, one tending the fire. Women in orange and red saris sit nearby. Brass vessels, a plate of fruit, bundled sticks and a small oil lamp lie on the orange mat. On the right, a man in white sits on a gold-trimmed throne with a seated attendant beside him, and a standing man in white and orange holds a book. A figure in white on the left stands in the background.2010-10-16Night photo of a Chandi Homa puja inside a temple-like hall. A large white deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands behind a white square homa fire pit with brass vessels, flowers and a cloth arrangement in front. White-clad priests in dhotis and shawls perform rituals, one bending low at the fire pit, another holding a brass item. A seated priest in white is at the left, and on the right a man in a saffron-orange robe and tall tan-coloured turban stands near a red and gold throne. Smoke rises through the air, and colourful lights hang in the background. A white umbrella canopy hangs above the deity.2010-10-16 +1 copiesOctober 11 20102010-10-11A photo of a night-time puja before a large decorated deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, backed by a silver-bordered halo and flanked by smaller murtis and ornamental canopies. Several priests in white dhotis and shawls perform rituals on a raised white platform: one kneels with a brass vessel and lamp, another in white stands holding offerings, and a third sits at the front. Young girls in red and maroon dresses sit on the floor, and leafy green garlands hang across the ceiling. An older man in saffron and white sits at the right edge, possibly a person given the shaved head and saffron wrap, but appearance is uncertain.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16Night ritual at a temple-like stage decorated with red and orange cloth, string lights and hanging banners. In the centre a large deity murti with many arms and a red-and-white garland stands before an ornate silver-white arch. A shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a white stepped altar, lifting one arm toward the murti while attending to brass bowls, a silver pot and a kalasha. Fruit offerings, marigold petals and a tray of dried plants lie on the orange floor cloth. Women in red and orange saris sit in rows on the left and right, one seated priest in white pours or tends near the altar, and another man in white with a shawl stands at a lectern reading from a book. A small oil lamp burns in the foreground.2010-10-16October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copies