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Outdoor evening initiation under a corrugated metal canopy draped with red, blue and yellow fringed cloth. A bare-chested man with long dreadlocked hair, a rust-orange wrap, gold bangles and a rudraksha mala extends his right hand to touch the forehead of a young boy kneeling before him. The boy, bare-chested with a white cord, has white sacred ash marks. Another man with a white-painted torso and rudraksha beads stands at left holding a small white object. Behind them a crowd of people in white clothes watches, and smoke drifts through the scene.

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Photograph of an evening initiation ritual under a corrugated metal roof draped with a red, blue and yellow fringed canopy. A man with long dreadlocks, a bare upper body and a rust-orange cloth draped over his shoulder, wearing gold bangles and an earring, raises his right arm and places his hand on the head of a young boy who kneels with eyes closed and a white vibhuti mark on his forehead. Another man in an orange-brown garment stands at the left edge holding a white cloth. Smoke drifts through the air, a string of coloured lights glows behind, and a crowd of white-clad participants and onlookers stands in the background. The scene suggests a deeksha initiation, with the dreadlocked figure bestowing a blessing.2017-05-02July 11 20172017-07-11 +1 copiesClose photo of a ritual initiation during a Meenakshi Pattabhishekam energy darshan. A young boy with short black hair and bare chest, wearing a thin white thread and a small amber pendant, stands with eyes lowered. A man in a rust-red robe and heavy gold necklace, with long dreadlocks and a bearded face, presses his right palm to the boy's forehead. A golden deity murti or kalasha-like gold ornament sits in front of the boy. Behind them, devotees in white dhotis and shawls and a man with long hair and white tripundra markings stand watching. A purple logo appears in the top left corner.2017-05-05Evening ritual initiation in an open-sided pavilion with a corrugated roof and strings of coloured lights. A bare-chested young man in white dhoti with a gold border stands with one palm raised, while a long-haired bearded figure seated on a red and gold throne with a canopy presses a finger to his forehead and holds a ceremonial rod or wand. The seated figure wears a saffron-orange cloth draped over the shoulder, gold necklaces and gold armlets. Smoke or incense hangs in the air. Several people in white and orange sit behind, and a shaved-headed man in white stands nearby. Swamiji (probable) is the seated figure, shown with long swept-back hair, saffron clothing and ornate gold adornments, performing Shiva Deeksha initiation.2017-05-02A photograph of a shaved-headed boy in white kurta with an orange shawl receiving a blessing as a long-haired man in a maroon-red wrap, multiple rudraksha malas, rudraksha armlet and gold ceremonial necklace places his palm on the boy's head. The boy raises his left palm in a gesture of reception. Behind them, robed attendants in white dhotis and saffron shawls stand, and a golden deity murti with a bowl and a golden peacock-shaped vessel sit in the foreground beside green leaves. A purple curtain and gold pillar frame the scene, indicating a ritual setting like shaktipada or diksha initiation. Probable Swamiji (long swept-back hair, rudraksha malas, gold necklace) is the blessing giver.2017-07-02 +1 copiesA photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation at an open-sided temple hall with a corrugated roof and string lights. A bare-chested man with long swept-back hair, rudraksha beads, gold armlets and a red-orange cloth seated on a gilded throne with a golden parasol overhead touches the forehead of a young male devotee with his right hand. Beside them a standing attendant in white dhoti and a rudraksha mala holds a small object, and another attendant in white stands nearby. Behind, a crowd of devotees in white and saffron sits in rows near offering plates and lamps. The seated figure is an appearance-based a person candidate in an initiating role, presented on the page as attending this Vishesha Deeksha event. Text on the photo reads a copyright line and a source credit.2017-05-02A photograph of a long-haired man with dreadlocks, a white vibhuti line on his forehead, and gold ornaments and rudraksha bracelets, bare-chested in a saffron-orange cloth, placing his hand on the head of a young boy kneeling before him. The boy wears an orange shawl and rudraksha beads and looks up attentively. Behind them, a golden deity murti stands beside a brass lamp and a brass bell, with other people in orange and white clothing seated in the background.2017-07-07April 30 20172017-04-30 +1 copiesA photo from a ritual initiation. A man with long dreadlocks, wearing a rust-red sleeveless garment, golden necklace and gold bracelet, presses his right hand to the forehead of a young man with short black hair. The young man wears a cream shawl over his shoulder, an orange-and-white cord necklace, and stands with eyes closed. Behind them a man in white dhoti with a gold-trimmed shawl and beaded necklace stands near a golden deity murti head with an ornate crown. Other people stand in the background, and a film camera is visible at upper right.2017-05-05A ceremonial initiation scene inside a temple hall with ornate gold carved pillars behind. A man with long dreadlocked hair bound up, a white forehead mark, a full dark beard, white flower garlands, gold necklaces, gold bangles and an orange-brown garment holds a silver trident with his right hand while his other hand rests on the head of a young shirtless boy with short dark hair. The boy wears rudraksha-style beaded malas across his chest and a gold necklace. Behind them a person in a maroon-orange robe with a white tilak holds a microphone, and other people in orange and white clothes sit or stand nearby. Visible: a silver trident, flower garlands, rudraksha malas, ritual initiation setting.2017-04-30 +1 copiesMay 07 20172017-05-07A man with long swept-back dreadlocked hair and a rust-red shawl over bare shoulders places his right hand on the head of a young boy in an orange garment, with the boy's hands raised near his face. Beside them stands a golden deity murti with a crown. In the background a man in an orange robe wears a white ID badge, and another devotee with a white forehead mark stands near. Brass railings and a dark red curtain frame the setting. Swamiji (probable): the man wears a rust-red shawl, long swept-back hair and a dark beard, matching his role as the officiating guru blessing the boy during the puja.2017-06-19