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A photograph of a ceremonial initiation at a Kumbh Mela-style event. A seated figure in a maroon-red robe, with long dark swept-back hair, a white tilak, gold bangles, and a heavy gold necklace of beads, rests his hand on the crown of a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and a red shawl. The seated figure holds a silver ceremonial staff. A woman in white with rudraksha beads stands behind, and a red-draped structure and a golden throne frame the scene. Several white-clad men stand at left.

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May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a sannyas-style initiation on a stage with dark red drapes and bright stage lights. A seated figure in a maroon-red robe, long dark swept-back hair, a crown-like ornament, white marks on the forehead and face, a long gold necklace and gold bangles touches the forehead of a shaved-headed devotee kneeling before him. The seated figure holds a tall silver trident-like staff. The kneeling man wears a white vest and a red shawl. Behind them, two young men in white dhoti-style cloth stand with hands folded, and a seated attendant in white is visible. A pink draped cloth, a small electric fan and a gold ornamental chair back frame the scene.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.2016-05-21A 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 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.2016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21A seated figure in saffron-red robes with long dark hair swept back, wearing a crown-like headdress, multiple gold necklaces, gold bangles and earrings, and white vibhuti marks on the forehead, places his hand on the shaved head of a kneeling young man in white dhoti with a bare chest and an orange cloth folded in his hands. Behind them a woman in white with a red beaded necklace watches, and several shaved-headed men in white robes, one with a red shawl, stand in the background before a deep red curtain. A tall silver staff with a round top stands beside the seated figure, and a pink decorated stand and a cooler are visible. The scene appears to be a sannyas initiation ritual, with the figure's appearance matching the a person cues of long hair, ornate gold adornments and saffron clothing.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21