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A photograph of a sannyas initiation ceremony on a raised stage. A seated figure with long swept-back dark hair, a white-and-maroon forehead marking, gold bangles and a heavy gold necklace, wearing a maroon-red cloth, touches the shaved head of a young shaven-headed initiate in white dhoti and bare chest, who wears black-rimmed glasses and holds an orange cloth. The seated figure holds a tall silver staff with a rounded finial. Behind them stand white-clad priests, a pink sparkling cloth hangs on the left, and a large gilded carved throne with gold and red cushions frames the scene.

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May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a seated sannyasi in maroon-red robes and a long gold necklace, with long dreadlocked hair, a white vertical mark on the forehead, gold bangles and an upper-arm band, holding a silver staff topped with a finial. He places his right hand on the shaved head of a bald young man in white dhoti and shawl with a red-and-gold trim, who bows with glasses on and holds folded orange cloth. Behind them stand another white-clad figure with a rudraksha-style necklace, a seated devotee, and a woman in the lower foreground. A red draped backdrop, a pink ornamental hanging and a silver fan unit sit in the background.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A seated man in deep red-orange robes and a red dhoti-style wrap, with long dreadlocked hair, a white vibhuti mark on his forehead, gold armlets, bangles, and a gold chain with ornaments, holds a silver trident-like staff upright in his right hand while touching the forehead of a shaven-headed man in white clothing with a white sacred cord. The recipient is bending forward, holding a folded orange cloth. Behind them, a standing attendant in white robes and an orange-beaded cord watches, a seated woman sits at the lower edge, and a gold-decorated throne with red cushions and a gold lion-shaped armrest frames the scene against maroon drapes, a pink-sequined stand, and a white cooler fan.2016-05-21May 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.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21July 19 20152015-07-19May 07 20142014-05-07A seated man with long dark hair tied back and a gold ceremonial necklace, dressed in red-maroon cloth, places his right palm on the forehead of a young man kneeling before him. The young man has short hair, a small hoop earring, orange saffron robes, a rudraksha mala and a beaded bracelet, and his hands are pressed together in anjali. Behind them stand a golden cobra-hooded staff, a silver rod and red drapery, and a golden ornament sits at lower left. This is a blessing or initiation gesture. The man's appearance shows several cues matching the Swamiji candidate: long swept-back hair, gold ceremonial necklace and red-maroon clothing, so he is. The kneeling young man is a devotee in saffron robes.2014-07-24A seated man in a golden-backed throne with red cushions places his right hand on the shaved head of a young boy kneeling before him. The seated man has long dark hair, a full beard, a white vertical tilak on his forehead, a brown saffron-toned shawl, gold necklaces and rudraksha malas, and rudraksha armbands. The boy wears a white cloth and rudraksha beads and has white markings on his forehead. Behind them, a standing man with a beard and white tilak stands beside a golden ritual staff, and a bearded man in white ritual clothes with rudraksha beads sits to the left. A red curtain and a golden kalasha-like finial frame the scene. a person seated on the peetha, performing a blessing initiation for the child during the Shiva Deeksha event.2017-04-26