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A 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.

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October 16 20102010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16A 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 photograph of a Chandi homa at a temple-style pavilion. Men in white dhotis and bare upper bodies kneel at a white marble homa platform with a fire pit, tending the fire and offerings. Brass vessels, a bell, a lamp, plantains and fruit sit on the floor, and smoke rises. Behind them stands a large goddess murti with a red-and-white garland, a lion mount, and a decorated arch, flanked by a pink Ganesha figure and other deity figures. Women in red and orange saris sit on the left and right, and a man in white robes stands at the right reading from a book. Colourful hanging tassels and string lights frame the scene.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.2010-10-16Night 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.2010-10-16Night-time photograph of a Chandi Homa at a temple shrine decorated with a large white-and-red ceremonial umbrella, strings of green leaves and hanging red-and-white decorations. Behind the central fire pit, a large white ornate image of a goddess with multiple arms and a fierce form stands on a dais, with smaller white-framed deity figures beside her. In the foreground, a shaven-headed priest in white dhoti and sleeveless vest kneels at the square fire pit, with a second priest in white beside him tending the fire. Several women in red and orange saris sit on the left, some seated with their hands together, and smoke rises from the homa. Offerings are arranged on brass plates including apples, oranges and bananas, with a brass bell, lamps and a kalasha-type vessel nearby. On the right, a man in a white turban and white garments sits on a gilded red throne beside a seated figure, with a man in white and a shawl standing behind. Additional devotees in white stand along the back wall beneath strings of lights.2010-10-16A night ritual inside a decorated temple hall with a large deity murti of a goddess, surrounded by smaller painted clay-style figures and white floral halo arches. In the foreground a priest in white dhoti with a bare upper body and a gold garland kneels beside a black square fire pit (homa kunda) on a white stepped platform, with flower petals and brass vessels nearby, and brass oil lamps and bells on the left. A child in white sits near the left lamp. Standing at right, a man in saffron robes with a bare torso and white body markings holds his hands in añjali, while another standing figure in white wears a yellow turban and holds a tray. Red and gold hangings and string lights decorate the background.2010-10-16 +1 copiesA 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.2010-10-16A photograph of a Chandi Homa-style puja inside a decorated temple hall at night, with red and white fairy lights and orange hangings. A large white-and-gold framed deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms stands at the back, flanked by smaller painted and clay figures, and a red-and-gold umbrella hangs above. In the foreground, shaven-headed priests in white dhotis and bare upper bodies, wearing gold necklaces and vibhuti marks, sit before a black-topped white altar with brass bowls, a bell, flowers and a kalasha, performing the ritual. Several women in red and maroon saris sit nearby, and more devotees are seated in the background. Smoke rises from the ritual area.2010-10-16Photograph of a nighttime homa ceremony before a large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, in a decorated hall with hanging lights and smoke rising. A man in white dhoti and white shirt kneels at a square fire pit, tending it with offerings, with brass vessels, lamps and flower petals on the white platform. To the right, a man in white robes and a white turban holds a plate of offerings. Beside him stands an older sadhu with a white beard, bare upper body, white markings on his arms, and a red-orange cloth wrapped around his waist. Behind them a red throne with gold trim sits empty, and other white-clad devotees are seated in the background.2010-10-16Night ritual inside a decorated hall at a person ashram during Navaratri or Dasara worship. A large deity murti of a goddess with multiple arms, lion mount and ornate white and silver backdrop dominates the left, flanked by smaller figures and a canopy. In the centre, a young man in white dhoti and shawl kneels at a square white homa or puja platform with brass vessels, flower petals and a small oil lamp. Behind him, a man in white with a turban holds a brass plate, and an older man with white beard and white body markings in orange-red cloth stands at right beside a red and gold throne-like seat. Several boys in white sit on the floor, and string lights and incense smoke fill the room.2010-10-16