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A photograph of an outdoor initiation at the Kumbh Mela. A man with long swept-back dark hair, wearing a rust-red shawl, a long ornate gold necklace, and a thick brown rudraksha mala, stands on a raised platform and extends his right hand to rest on the head of a kneeling devotee. The devotee wears a white garment, an orange-and-saffron scarf printed with text, and white ash marks on the forehead, and holds his palms together. A tall silver and gold ceremonial staff stands behind them. Crowds in saffron and white clothing fill the background, and a golden lion-shaped object sits at the lower right. The man is a probable Swamiji by his long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklace, rudraksha mala and red-brown clothing, performing a blessing on the kneeling devotee.

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May 16 20162016-05-16May 16 20162016-05-16A photograph of a healing or initiation moment at an outdoor gathering. A man with long, swept-back dark hair, a rudraksha mala draped over his shoulders, a heavy gold necklace and a rust-red wrap stands at right, placing his right palm on the crown of a seated man's head. The seated man wears a white shirt and has his eyes closed while his face tilts upward. In the background, people in white and orange clothing fill the crowd, a gold ornament sits at the lower right, and a black electronic keyboard unit stands on a table. Gold and silver ceremonial poles frame the scene.2016-05-16May 16 20162016-05-16May 16 20162016-05-16May 16 20162016-05-16A photograph of a long-haired man in a red-brown saffron-toned garment with a rudraksha mala and ornate gold necklace, smiling as he places his right palm on the head of a seated devotee in red. He wears a small orange tilak on his forehead and leans on a gold ornamental armrest. Behind them stand a silver ceremonial post and a crowd of people in white and red clothing. A Yamaha keyboard sits in front of the seated devotee.2016-05-16May 16 20162016-05-16 +1 copiesA photograph of a seated figure in an orange-red saffron shawl and gold ornate necklace placing his right hand on the head of a kneeling devotee. The seated figure has long swept-back hair and a crown-like tied knot, and wears a gold necklace with a pendant, with a gold lion-head ornament and a silver ceremonial staff beside him. The kneeling devotee, bare-chested with a white dhoti, wears a thick rudraksha mala of orange-red beads and a silver bangle, with his palms pressed together. Red drapes and gold curtains form the backdrop. a person is shown as the seated figure, giving blessing to the kneeling devotee in a ritual setting.2014-07-14A seated man with short dark hair, a white forehead mark and a red wrist thread, bare-chested and draped in an orange-red cloth, wears a white flower garland with red and yellow blossoms. He extends his right hand to press a palm on the forehead of a standing man in a white shirt with an orange-red shawl. A tall silver staff with a trident-like top stands beside them, with a gilded lion-faced ornament and a gold throne-like backdrop behind; a framed painting hangs on the wall. The scene suggests a blessing exchange.2014-05-13May 09 20142014-05-09A photograph of a seated man in a saffron-orange shawl with a tiger-and-leopard print cloth at his waist, wearing a rudraksha mala with large beads and a yellow-gold tilak on his forehead, extending his right hand to press his palm onto the forehead of a kneeling man. The kneeling man wears a white shirt and an orange-red shawl with a rudraksha mala, his palm raised in greeting. Behind them stand a silver trident, a peacock feather fan, a gold statue and yellow marigold garlands. The seated man has a distinctive presentation with long swept-back hair, a bare upper body and ornate beaded adornments, which is consistent with a person in the role of giver of blessing. The kneeling man is a devotee receiving blessing.2014-05-03