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Devotional ritual in an indoor hall with a raised altar at the back. Three women sit on a mat in the foreground: one in a white sari with an orange border, hands pressed together in prayer; a woman in a white sari holding a lit oil lamp (aarti) over offerings; and a partially visible woman with a long braid and orange shawl at the left edge. A brass lamp with a flame stands on a white-cloth covered platform of fruit, coconuts, marigold petals and bowls. On the altar behind, a deity murti in orange and green garments and a garland sits on an orange cloth, with a large framed painting above. Brass vessels and flower-decorated trays are placed around the puja area.

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October 26 20112011-10-26Women perform an aarti before a shrine set against a painted temple backdrop. A framed portrait of a long-haired man in saffron clothing with a rudraksha mala and a flower garland hangs at the top, with a deity murti and offerings arranged on a tiered platform below. A woman in a white sari with a red border holds a lit oil lamp toward the shrine, while another in a white sari sits with hands folded. Coconuts, fruit, marigold garlands, and kalasha-like vessels fill the altar. A woman with a long braid in an orange top sits at the left edge.2011-10-26A photograph of a puja at a hall altar. A large framed portrait on the back wall shows a long-haired figure in saffron-orange robes with a beaded necklace, garlanded with flowers. Below it, a dark wooden throne-like stand holds a small murti and a white-and-maroon draped figure. A brass oil lamp with a bright flame sits on a tiered offering table laden with bananas, apples, coconuts, flowers and fruit. A woman in a white sari with a red-bordered shawl sits cross-legged, holding her hands near the lamp, while another woman in white with folded hands sits beside her. Partly visible at the left and bottom edges, other seated devotees wear orange and white clothing.2011-10-26A photograph of a homa fire ceremony in a hall with a white wall and a painted backdrop. Two women in white saris with orange shawls sit on a mat before a brick fire pit with a bright flame. The woman on the left holds her hands in prayer, while the woman in the center tends the fire with a ladle, near a metal vessel. Brick and white-draped steps hold fruit, flowers, coconuts and kumkum-filled plates, and a small deity murti in a garlanded shrine sits at the top. Several people with braided hair sit with their backs to the camera in the foreground, and rows of small plates of grains and offerings lie at the lower left.2011-10-26A homa fire ceremony in an indoor hall. A brick-built fire pit with a bright open flame sits centre frame, surrounded by flower garlands, lemons, apples, bananas and other fruit offerings arranged on the pit's edge. Two women sit cross-legged in white saris with orange-red shawls; the woman on the left has her palms pressed together in namaste, while the woman in the centre holds a ladle over a steel bowl and tends the offerings. Behind them, steps hold fruit, coconuts, marigold garlands and plates of offerings, and a decorated deity murti or altar stands on an orange-draped platform under a garland. Two young girls with braided hair sit at the lower right, watching the fire. A painted backdrop of trees hangs on the upper wall.2011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26A homa or yagna at an indoor shrine hall. A brick fire pit burns with a tall flame and is decorated with marigold petals and red flowers. Two women in white sarees with gold borders and orange shawls sit on mats; the woman on the left has her palms pressed together in namaskar, and the woman in the centre tends the fire with a ladle-like tool and a bowl. Steps behind hold fruit offerings, coconuts, bananas, apples, oranges, a kalasha-style vessel and brass dishes. Above, a decorated deity murti stands on a wooden altar garlanded with flowers, with a painted mural on the wall.2011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26A photograph of a fire ritual inside a temple hall at night. A woman in a white sari with an orange-red shawl sits cross-legged before a blazing fire pit, holding a ritual vessel toward the flames, with a microphone stand beside her. Behind the fire, a tiered altar is decorated with yellow marigold garlands and piled with fruit, and a deity murti dressed in red and garlanded stands above it. Several seated people are visible at the edges of the frame, including a woman on the left and figures in the right foreground, all facing the fire. Lit oil lamps and offerings surround the homa area.2011-10-26A homa fire burns on a brick fire pit in the foreground, surrounded by flower-decorated offerings including coconuts, bananas, apples, mangoes and bowls of kumkum. A priest in white dhoti and an orange-red shawl sits on the left, tending the fire with a ladle, beside a microphone stand. Two young girls with dark hair sit at the right, watching. Behind, a wooden altar holds a garlanded deity murti and a kalasha on an orange-draped platform.2011-10-26A homa fire ritual in a hall with a painted backdrop of a tree and a shrine with a deity murti decorated with garlands. In front, a central fire burns on bricks, surrounded by fruit, flower offerings and a raised offering platform. A woman in a white dress with an orange shawl sits cross-legged with hands folded in prayer behind the fire, and another woman in white sits beside her. Seated devotees in the foreground include a man in a white shirt and women in patterned and yellow saris, with a microphone stand near the fire. No visible person clearly matches the a person appearance cues.2011-10-26October 26 20112011-10-26