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A large crowd of bare-chested boys and young men sits closely packed in a hall for a ritual session. Many have white ash or paste markings streaked across their chests, arms and foreheads, plus white headbands and beaded or pendant necklaces. In the centre a boy with a white forehead mark and a pendant necklace sits upright with his hands resting on his knees, gazing upward. Nearby, a boy with a rudraksha-style mala smiles, and white dhotis are visible.

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February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15A large group of young boys and teenagers, mostly bare-chested and wearing white dhotis, sit closely packed on the floor of a temple hall. Many have white sacred ash marks on their foreheads and bodies, and several wear beaded malas and pendants. Behind them, figures in white and saffron stand in the background among pillars. The scene suggests a mass initiation session. No clear a person candidate is visible among the seated participants.2017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15April 08 20172017-04-08A large seated gathering of bare-chested men and boys sits cross-legged on white cloth and pink mats for a Shiva Deeksha initiation. Most wear white dhoti-style waistcloths, white ash or sandalwood markings across their foreheads and chests, and beaded or gold-toned pendant necklaces, with rudraksha-style malas on some. The foreground participants keep their eyes closed in meditation, one with palms pressed together in namaskar. The crowd appears to exceed one hundred people.2017-02-15February 15 20172017-02-15