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A photograph of a shiva deeksha initiation at an outdoor temple-style setting. A man seated on an ornate red and silver throne with silver lion-head armrests wears a brown-orange draped garment, a multi-strand gold necklace, earrings, red and white flower garlands, and a tilak on his forehead; he places his right hand on the forehead of a bare-chested initiate kneeling before him. The initiate has white ash markings on his shoulder and chest, a dark brown cloth, and a beaded rudraksha-style necklace. A third man standing at left wears white dhoti-style clothing with a gold border, a long beaded necklace and a rudraksha-like mala. Behind them is a carved stone pillar with a relief of a deity murti. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure has long swept-back dark hair, a crown-less tilak, ornate gold jewellery, a flower garland and saffron-brown clothing, with a rudraksha-style setting; he is presented here as the one giving the deeksha.

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A seated guru in a brown robe with a long garland of red roses and yellow marigolds places his right hand on the forehead of a kneeling, bare-chested young man in an orange dhoti with hands pressed in prayer. The guru sits on an ornate silver and red-cushioned throne with carved lion-head armrests, wearing gold armbands, a rudraksha mala and a white tilak. A standing attendant in white and orange with rudraksha beads stands at left. Background shows brass lamps, a stone pillar and a deity murti niche. Swamiji (probable): the seated guru wears a long swept-back hair style, ceremonial gold necklace and rudraksha mala, and sits on the throne.2017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05A seated man in a rust-brown robe and layered gold necklace, wearing a red and white jasmine garland with yellow marigold accents, places his right hand on the head of a kneeling man who wears an orange cloth and rudraksha mala. The kneeling man has white horizontal marks on his bare shoulders and palms raised toward the seated figure. Behind them a standing man in white and a gold-and-brown bead necklace looks on, and an ornate silver chair with lion-shaped armrests sits at right beside a lamp, in a temple-like setting with a stone pillar. The seated man appears to be Swamiji (probable), identified by his crown-like throne setting, rudraksha and gold adornments, and the garland-decked central position with blessing gesture; the kneeling devotee is shown receiving blessing.2017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05Photo of a seated figure on an ornate silver-and-red throne receiving a blessing: a man in a brown robe with gold belt and bangles, wearing a garland of white jasmine, yellow marigolds and red roses, extends his right hand to touch the forehead of a kneeling devotee in a bare-chested orange-saffron cloth with a rudraksha-style mala, hands folded in namaskar. Behind them stands a second man with long hair and a garland, and a stone pillar and temple setting are visible.2017-10-05A seated man in a rust-brown robe and red-and-yellow floral garlands sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne flanked by silver lion figures, pressing his hand to the forehead of a kneeling devotee in an orange cloth with prayer hands, a rudraksha mala and red-thread bracelet. Behind them a standing attendant in white dhoti with gold-bordered cloth and layered beaded and gold necklaces watches. Ornate stone pillars and brass lamps frame the night-time temple setting, consistent with a Shiva deeksha blessing ritual. a person: the seated figure wears long swept-back hair, a tilak, gold armbands, a gold necklace and a red-and-white garland, a shawl-wrapped appearance consistent with the page's a person reference.2017-10-05A photograph of a seated man in a rust-brown robe with gold ornaments and a red-and-yellow garland of roses and marigolds, a white tilak on his forehead and rudraksha beads, sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne. He places his right hand on the head of a bare-chested young man in an orange cloth and rudraksha mala who stands with palms joined in reverence. A second man in white dhoti and gold necklaces stands at left, and a silver lion figure and temple-style stone structure appear behind. The seated man matches the a person appearance cues of distinctive ceremonial gold necklaces and rudraksha malas, presented in the role of initiating giver, while the young man is a devotee receiving blessing. Two people are visible.2017-10-05A photograph of a seated figure in a brown robe and layered red-and-yellow flower garlands, on a red and silver throne, placing his right palm on the forehead of a kneeling devotee. The seated figure has long swept-back dark hair, a beard, earrings, a gold chain and wrist bands, and wears a tilak. The kneeling devotee has long dreadlocked hair, a beard, hoop earrings, an orange garment and a rudraksha mala, with his hands clasped at his chest. A standing attendant in a white dhoti and gold-banded shawl is at the left edge, and a stone temple pillar with a carved deity murti and brass lamps stands behind them. The seated figure's appearance and throne match the page's a person flag, but the cues are not conclusive enough to confirm identity, so the role is given as the seated figure and the identity is marked unsure. Three people are visible.2017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05