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Night-time ritual inside a decorated pavilion with orange and saffron hanging drapes and banana plants. A standing figure in orange robes and a matching orange head covering holds a large round basket of flowers and a flame, facing a square fire pit (homa kund) edged with white stone and scattered marigold petals. Around them, seated devotees in orange and saffron robes sit with hands folded in prayer, while priests in white with yellow shawls perform rites, one holding a small brass lamp and another a bell. On the right stands a large clay or fabric deity murti with multiple arms and a dark face, beside brass oil lamps and offering pots arranged in woven cane baskets with leaves and marigolds, indicating a chandi homa fire ritual.

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September 26 20092009-09-26September 26 20092009-09-26 +1 copiesA 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 a Chandi homa ritual in a temple hall decorated with colourful fan-shaped paper ornaments overhead and banana plants at the sides. A man in an orange robe and a long orange shawl stands at centre holding a lit flame aloft in a brass vessel, while a deity murti with a white and black face, golden crown and yellow-trimmed sari stands at the right. Seated devotees in orange and white robes with yellow shawls kneel around a square fire pit with marigold petals, some with hands in prayer. Brass oil lamps burn at left, and a table holds woven baskets with kalasha-style pots and mango leaves. Smoke drifts through the room.2009-09-26Night outdoor ritual under a canopy decorated with orange and green fringed hangings and banana leaves, lit by floodlights and a hanging lamp. A standing priest in saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala raises a large bright brass bowl of flame toward the seated group. Around a low offering platform, several devotees sit on orange cloth: women in orange saris and saffron-robed sannyasis, plus young people in white clothes with yellow shawls, hands folded in prayer. A tall brass lamp stands at the right edge beside flower petals and offerings. This is a homa or puja-style fire ritual.2009-09-26Night-time homa ritual under a decorated open pavilion with banana plants, marigold garlands and hanging orange-and-green cloth. A shaved-headed priest in an orange robe stands at right holding a plate of flame, while seated participants in orange and saffron robes and white garments with yellow shawls sit on mats around a central fire pit with offerings. Several women and men in orange and yellow clothing sit in front, one woman with palms pressed together. A tall brass oil lamp stands at right. Lights and a fluorescent tube illuminate the scene.2009-09-26A night-time homa ceremony under an open tent decorated with hanging orange and green streamers and banana-leaf bunting. A standing priest in orange robes and a matching orange head cloth, wearing a beaded necklace, holds a flaming ritual lamp toward a fire pit while seated, orange-robed participants chant and watch. Brass oil lamps with lit wicks stand at the front left, and on the right a white-draped table holds several brass and bamboo-wrapped kalasha pots topped with orange and green leaves. Nearby, a tall decorated deity murti with a dark face and crown stands beside the table. Several white-clad and yellow-scarfed attendants stand in the background, and a woman in a light yellow garment sits at the left edge.2009-09-26Night-time homa ceremony under a canopy decorated with orange, green and blue paper lanterns and banana leaves. A man in orange robes, a long beaded necklace and a shaved head stands at a fire pit, holding a metal plate and an oil lamp over the flames while smoke rises. Around him, many people in orange and yellow robes sit on the ground with brass bowls and offerings. On the right, a deity murti is decorated with flowers, and two brass pots wrapped in mesh stand on a white cloth with pink flowers, fruit and sweets.2009-09-25September 26 20092009-09-26Night-time puja under a decorated pandal with hanging orange and green marigold-style festoons and banana leaves. A standing figure in saffron robes and a saffron head cloth holds a large brass aarti plate with a flame, facing seated devotees. Seated in front are several people in orange and saffron robes, some with hands pressed in prayer, and a woman in white at left. Two men in white and yellow robes sit at right beside brass lamps. A tall brass oil lamp with burning wicks stands in the foreground, and a deity murti with a decorated face and garlands is at upper right. Floral petals cover the low altar.2009-09-27A photograph of a homa ceremony held under a decorated canopy with orange, green and yellow ribbons, with banana plants and string lights around the edges. A standing priest in orange robes and a rudraksha-style bead necklace holds a lit flame over a fire pit. Seated devotees in orange and white clothes sit on mats, several with hands pressed together. On the right, a white table holds small woven baskets with mango-leaf and marigold decorations, and a painted deity figure stands on a stand. Brass oil lamps are in the foreground, and smoke drifts through the scene.2009-09-26September 26 20092009-09-26