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Nithyanandapedia
A seated figure on an ornate gilded golden throne wearing red saffron-toned robes, long dark hair swept back, and a rudraksha mala draped across the chest, holds a silver staff-like ritual implement and touches it to the forehead of a bald man kneeling before him. The kneeling man wears white garments with gold-bordered trim and has white markings on his bare chest and arms, with red thread bands on his wrist. Behind them, two women in white saris with red borders sit with hands folded in namaste, a small girl in pink stands nearby, and the red-carpeted hall has wall-mounted air conditioners and a watermarked backdrop. The scene reads as a ceremonial initiation blessing; the seated figure matches the page's a person depiction cues only partly, so identity is uncertain.

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April 22 20162016-04-22A seated figure in a red saffron-toned robe with long swept-back dark hair and a thick rudraksha mala across the chest touches the forehead of a kneeling bald man in a white dhoti with a gold border and gold necklace. The seated figure holds a tall silver staff or trident-like rod upright with his other arm raised. Behind a gilded ornate throne with carved floral panels, red cushions lie on the red carpeted dais; a young girl in a pink dress and a seated person in white stand by. Ritual initiation scene, possibly a diksha or blessing, with white ash marks on the kneeling man's forehead and arms.2016-04-22May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a sannyas initiation ceremony in a hall with red drapes and a red carpet. A shaven-headed initiate in white dhoti and white upper cloth, with white tilak on his forehead, bows forward while holding folded saffron cloths. A seated figure in a maroon-red robe with long swept-back dark hair, white tilak, heavy gold necklaces, gold bangles and earrings raises his right hand to the initiate's head in blessing, while holding a silver staff. Behind the initiate, two men in white dhotis stand, and a woman in white sari kneels beside the saffron cloths. A red-cushioned gold throne is visible at right.2016-05-21A seated figure in a maroon-red robe with long swept-back dark hair, gold bangles and multiple gold beaded necklaces holds a silver staff topped with a small round ornament while touching the forehead of a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and a red shawl. Behind them, shaved-headed men in white dhotis stand on a red-carpeted stage before a maroon drape, with a pink canopy, a standing cooler fan and gold ornamental carvings at the right edge. A woman in a teal sari sits at lower right. The scene resembles a sannyas initiation or blessing ceremony. Stage lights hang from the top of the frame.2016-05-21April 22 20162016-04-22A photograph of a stage ceremony with red draped backdrop and bright stage lights. A seated figure in a maroon-red cloth with long dark dreadlocked hair, gold armbands, bangles and a long gold necklace places a hand on the head of a bald, shaved-headed initiate in white cloth. The seated figure holds a tall silver staff with a round top, and a gold-carved throne stands at right. Behind them, several white-robed men wear red-orange shawls and a pink decorated pillar is visible. A woman in a white garment with orange shawl stands beside the initiate, and another woman sits at lower right.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A seated man in red saffron robes and a long rudraksha mala sits on an ornate gold throne, placing one hand on the bald head of a shaved-headed devotee in a white dhoti with white stripe markings on his shoulders, while raising a silver trident (trishul) with the other hand. Beside them, a second robed figure with dreadlocked hair and red robes sits with eyes lowered, and a white-clad attendant stands behind. The setting is a ceremonial stage with red cloth and a gold-carved backdrop. a person is not verified from the page; the seated figure's appearance (long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala, saffron robe) is noted only as a candidate.2016-04-22May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a ceremonial initiation on a stage. A seated man in red-orange robes with long swept-back dark hair and a brown-beaded rudraksha mala over his shoulder holds a silver trident-tipped staff against the forehead of a shaved-headed initiate kneeling in a white garment with gold trim. Behind him is an ornate gold throne with carved details. On the left, a man with a tall dark topknot and red robes with a rudraksha mala watches. A woman in white with gold trim sits in the background. Red cloth lies on the armrest, and a microphone is visible at the right edge.2016-04-22A photograph of a ceremonial initiation at a Kumbh Mela event. A seated man in a rust-red robe, gold bangles, a gold necklace and long dark hair holds a silver staff and touches the forehead of a shaved-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with yellow borders, who holds folded orange cloth. Onlookers in white stand behind, a woman in white with orange cloth sits nearby, and a red draped backdrop and gold throne frame the scene.2016-05-21