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Night ritual inside a decorated pandal hung with orange and green fabric and banana leaves. A standing man in orange robes and a beaded mala holds a brass plate with a lit oil lamp, as in an aarti. Seated around a square fire pit in front, devotees in orange and white clothes, some with yellow shawls, fold their hands in prayer. Offerings of banana-leaf and marigold-decorated kalashas sit on a green cloth at right, beside a large white and red painted deity murti with a trident-like weapon. Marigold petals are scattered over the altar. Several people are visible, the largest group seated in the foreground.

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September 26 20092009-09-26A night-time ritual under a canopy decorated with orange, green and yellow bunting and hanging banana leaves. A figure in saffron robes and a saffron head cloth, wearing a long beaded mala, stands at center holding a brass tray of lit lamps (aarti). Around a square homa/yagna pit lined with flower petals, devotees in orange and saffron clothing sit with palms pressed together, while men in white dhotis and yellow shawls chant and play instruments. At right, a tall painted deity murti with multiple arms and a red-and-gold face stands beside brass oil lamps and kalasha-style offerings. Potted plants in wire mesh baskets sit on a green cloth in the foreground.2009-09-26A night-time puja at a canopied outdoor pavilion decorated with green and orange streamers and banana-leaf plants. A standing priest in orange robes and a rudraksha mala holds a lit aarti lamp on a red tray, facing a dark stone yantra platform strewn with yellow flower petals. Seated devotees in orange and saffron clothes, several with palms joined, surround the platform, while others in white kurtas with yellow shawls sit to the right. A large deity murti with a trident and a dark braided figure stands at the right edge, and brass kalasha pots wrapped in woven baskets sit on a green-leaf altar with marigolds in front. Oil lamps burn on the floor.2009-09-26 +1 copiesA photograph of an outdoor-style pavilion ritual under a decorated canopy with colourful hanging panels and smoke drifting through the air. A standing man in orange robes and a rudraksha mala holds up a lit lamp or flame near a fire pit, while people in orange and white sit on the floor around a square fire-pit area. On the right, a decorated altar holds brass kalasha pots covered with mango leaves and golden flowers, next to a tall ornate figure of a deity murti with a trident-like form. A brass oil lamp stands in the foreground beside marigold petals. Several people wear saffron clothing and yellow shawls, and others in white sit nearby, consistent with a homa or puja.2009-09-26September 25 20092009-09-25September 26 20092009-09-26 +1 copiesA night-time photograph of a Chandi homa in an open outdoor pavilion decorated with banana plants and strings of leaves. A standing man in an orange robe with a rudraksha mala holds up a lit aarti lamp toward the fire pit. Seated around the square homa altar are devotees in orange and saffron robes and men in white dhotis with yellow shawls. A woman in orange with her hands folded sits in the foreground, and a girl in yellow and orange sits at the lower left. To the right stands a large image of a goddess with a red face and raised arms, beside brass oil lamps, kalasha pots wrapped in woven cane and green leaves, and flower offerings on the altar.2009-09-26 +1 copiesNight ritual photograph in an open-sided pandal decorated with orange and maroon hanging festoons and banana leaves. A standing priest in orange robes and a rudraksha-style neck garland holds a brass aarti plate with a bright flame, while smoke drifts through the scene. Seated devotees in orange and saffron clothing sit on the floor in front of a long white-draped table laden with brass vessels, flower petals, sweets and oil lamps. On the right, a large deity murti with a white crown and multiple arms stands beside two brass kalasha pots wrapped in white mesh and decorated with pink flowers and green leaves. Several people in yellow and white ritual clothing sit to the right of the altar.2009-09-25A photograph of a ceremonial fire ritual in a decorated pavilion with orange and gold draped cloth overhead and banana leaves on the sides. A central figure in orange robes and beaded necklaces raises a brass plate holding a lit flame amid rising smoke. Seated devotees in orange and saffron clothing, including a person in a yellow shawl, sit before a floral-strewn platform with offerings. To the right stands a large deity murti with a crown and multiple arms, flanked by two brass vessels with mango leaves and flowers. Oil lamps and brass offering plates surround the homa area.2009-09-25September 26 20092009-09-26 +1 copiesEvening puja at a decorated temple pavilion with a hanging canopy of orange and green fabric rings and banana leaves. A man in orange robes and a shawl stands center, raising a lit aarti plate with flame toward a deity murti on the right, which has a white and gold crown and face. In front, seated devotees in orange and saffron clothing, several with palms pressed together in namaskar, sit on a mat. Other men in white dhotis with yellow shawls assist beside a tray of offerings, flowers and brass oil lamps. Smoke fills the air and a brass lamp stands in the foreground.2009-09-27October 17 20092009-10-17 +1 copies