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Photograph of a ritual initiation in a hall. At left, a man with a long swept-back hairstyle wears a saffron-orange robe, a turban-like orange headwrap, a gold necklace and a gold armband, and holds a white cord up toward a golden pole. Seated devotees in orange robes and gold ornaments receive the rite on a striped red-and-green mat. Men in white dhotis with gold borders and rudraksha malas pour or tie white threads at the golden post. Offerings in folded paper packets and a gold-edged tray sit in front. Large crowd in white clothes in the background.

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February 22 20172017-02-22A photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation in a large hall with pink walls and framed posters. Beside him a bare-chested man in orange wrap and rudraksha mala holds a white cord, and seated devotees in saffron and orange clothes receive initiation with a tall golden staff in the centre. Standing men and women in white dhotis and saris watch, and a crowd fills the stage area behind. The floor is covered with colourful woven mats.2017-02-22February 22 20172017-02-22February 22 20172017-02-22September 24 20172017-09-24 +1 copiesA photograph of a ritual initiation in a hall with pink-washed walls and framed posters behind. In the foreground, a man with a bare upper body and a white cloth tied at his waist bends forward over a seated devotee wearing a white cloth, while a shirtless attendant with a rudraksha mala stands at right gripping a gold-coloured pole. A gold-edged wooden screen stands at left beside a figure in an orange-brown head wrap. Behind them, a woman in a white sari with a black thread necklace stands near seated participants in white garments. Dozens of people in white cloths sit on the floor in the background. a person's presence is not visibly confirmed; no candidate matches the cues.2017-02-22A photograph of a ritual initiation at an indoor hall. A bare-chested young boy kneels and bends forward while a man in a white dhoti with gold border and bare upper body guides a thread or cord over his head. Beside them, a man with long hair, a full beard, a gold necklace and rudraksha mala, wearing an orange-saffron garment, holds a white cord. Another attendant in a rudraksha mala and gold necklace, and a woman in a magenta shawl and orange garment, assist. Behind them, a golden trident and red curtain frame the stage. Other boys stand in white dhotis and rudraksha malas.2017-02-15A seated man in rust-orange robes with a large rudraksha mala, a leopard-print headwrap, and a gold necklace sits on a silver-framed peetha throne, touching the forehead of a kneeling devotee bare-chested in a white dhoti with folded hands. Behind the throne, a standing attendant in orange cloth applies white markings to the devotee's head. Other attendants in orange and white stand nearby, several with white body markings, and a gilded temple pillar and a deity murti appear at the edges. The setting is a temple hall with colourful cloth on the floor. The seated figure is shown as a probable Swamiji by his long hair, leopard headwrap, rudraksha mala and gold necklace, while he blesses the kneeling devotee.2017-12-10June 23 20132013-06-23 +2 copiesA photograph of a ceremonial stage with a large ornate golden throne shaped like a cobra hood, flanked by a golden lion carving. A bearded man with long dreadlocked hair, wearing a rust-brown robe, a gold necklace and a rudraksha-style garland, sits on the throne with bare feet on a red cushion while placing his hand on the forehead of a young man in white dhoti and bare chest who bows before him. Around them, several attendants in white dhotis and cream shawls stand or kneel, and a woman in an orange sari with long dark braided hair stands at left. A golden trident leans beside the throne and a small tray of offerings sits in the foreground on a green and red mat. Stage lights and a draped ceiling frame the scene.2017-04-03September 10 20152015-09-10 +1 copiesA photograph of a temple-style ceremony with several men in saffron-orange robes and orange-beaded necklaces. A shaved-headed man kneels in the foreground, his head being tended by a man standing behind him who holds a small red object near his head, while a third man in orange kneels at right holding an offering or tool near the first man's hands. Behind them, a standing man wears gold chains and orange garments. A white-tiled fan stands at left and an ornate silver throne-like chair is visible at right. A long-haired figure in saffron robes with a white forehead mark and gold ornaments sits at right, distinctive for long swept-back hair and ornate gold adornment, consistent with a person candidate in a seated ritual role.2013-03-10