Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of an initiation ceremony in a hall with a dark red curtain and plain walls. A seated figure with long, swept-back dark hair, bare-chested and wearing an orange-saffron cloth, places his hand on the forehead of a shaved-headed initiate kneeling before him. The initiate wears an orange cloth and a beaded mala. Around them, rows of saffron-robed monks sit on the floor, some holding long bamboo staffs with small orange pennants. Petals are scattered on a red-carpeted platform, with brass ritual vessels and a gilded lion-form throne ornament nearby. The seated figure has distinctive long hair and saffron attire consistent with a person presence, while the kneeling initiate is described by role only.

More like this

Open the gallery
A photograph of a sannyasa initiation ritual in a hall with a red-carpeted stage. A long-haired man bare-chested in orange cloth sits on a red-cushioned throne-like seat with a golden lion-form base, leaning forward to touch the head of a younger initiate in orange robes who kneels before him. Behind them, many shaved-headed monks in saffron robes sit in rows, several holding tall bamboo staffs with small orange flags. Rose petals are scattered on the floor, a brass pot sits nearby, and a gilded deity murti stands at the right edge. The long hair, swept-back style and orange cloth of the seated figure are a person cues, and the page indicates his presence.2006-08-22A ceremonial indoor scene in which a shaved-headed young man in orange robes kneels on a floor scattered with red petals, bending forward to touch or offer something at the base of an ornate gilded seat. Beside him, a figure with long swept-back dark hair and bare shoulders, wearing an orange cloth, sits on a red-cushioned throne. Behind them, rows of seated men in saffron-orange robes, several with shaved heads and rudraksha malas, watch the rite. Tall bamboo poles with orange cloth streamers rise in the background, and a gilded lion-shaped sculpture and brass vessels stand nearby.2006-08-22A photograph of a monastic initiation ceremony in a hall with a gilded, ornate throne and red cushion. A young shaven-headed novice in plain saffron-orange robes and a rudraksha mala kneels at lower left, holding a thin cord that a seated figure in orange garments, with long dark curly hair and bare upper body, is tying or guiding. Behind them, rows of shaven-headed monks in orange robes sit on the floor, many holding long bamboo rods. Golden ritual vessels, a gilded lion or sphinx-like figure, and a silver deity murti are visible, with red and white flower petals scattered on the floor. The setting suggests a sannyasa initiation rite. The seated figure has long, swept-back hair and orange cloth, but the appearance alone is not enough to confirm an identity.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22A photograph of a ceremonial initiation in an indoor hall with red carpet strewn with flower petals. A man with long, swept-back dark hair, wearing saffron-orange robes and bare-shouldered, sits on an ornate gold throne with red cushions and smiles. Several saffron-robed monks, some shaved-headed, stand and kneel around him, and one monk in orange gestures toward a kneeling devotee in white clothing who bends forward with hands and head lowered. Tall bamboo staffs with orange pennants stand behind them, and a gilded deity murti with a crown and jewelled ornaments sits at the right edge beside the throne.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22A photo of a diksha-style initiation in an orange-draped monastic setting. A figure with long, swept-back dark hair, bare-chested under an orange shawl, sits on a raised seat and presses one hand to the forehead of a kneeling man in orange clothing with praying hands and a rudraksha mala. Behind them, rows of seated monks in saffron robes watch, and a bamboo frame hung with orange flags and small banners stands among gleaming silver and gold ritual objects, including a silver deity murti. The figure's presentation matches the page's Swamiji reference through long hair, bare-chested orange shawl and rudraksha-style adornment, so this is an appearance-based probable identification; the printed caption identifies the archive page, not the person.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22