Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A seated man in rust-red robes with heavy gold ornaments and a gold-trimmed rudraksha-style necklace raises his right hand toward a bare-chested young man's forehead, performing an initiation blessing. The seated figure rests on an ornate gold throne-back and holds a colourful striped ceremonial staff with red tassel. Behind the seated man, a second attendant in white dhoti and gold-bordered cloth steadies the young man, and a third person's hands reach in from the left. Blurred trees and a river-like background appear through a metal frame. A figure in a red-and-white outfit stands far in the background. The seated man has long swept-back hair and wears gold bangles and a gold armlet, consistent with a person depiction in an appearance-based sense, though the presentation cues are moderate.

More like this

Open the gallery
July 18 20162016-07-18A seated figure in a deep maroon-red and gold-yellow shawl and matching rudraksha malas sits on an ornate gold throne with a red cushion, eyes closed in a calm expression, holding a whisk-like fly whisk with striped handle in one hand. A bare-chested man in white dhoti with white ash markings on his arm and a rudraksha mala, hands raised, gives a blessing or touches the seated figure's head while another white-clad attendant stands behind. Temple ritual setting with gold ornate decoration.2016-01-02A night-time photograph of a ritual initiation. On the right, a man with long swept-back hair, a beard, a red-brown saffron shawl, a long multi-strand gold necklace, a gold pendant and rudraksha-style beaded bracelets raises his right hand to touch the forehead of a bare-chested devotee on the left, who bows forward. The devotee wears a white cloth with a thin white sacred thread, a rudraksha mala and red-and-white wrist threads. Behind them an attendant in white clothing with a vertical sandalwood-coloured mark on his forehead watches, and a silver-trimmed ornate throne stands at the right edge beside a red pillar. The scene is a shiva deeksha initiation.2017-10-05A seated figure in a maroon and orange-gold draped garment, with long braided rudraksha-style necklaces and gold waist ornament, sits on a gilded throne with a pink cushion and touches the head of a bare-chested kneeling man in a pink dhoti. Nearby, attendants in white dhotis and a gold-banded garment stand; a yellow flower and an offering tray sit on the ground. The scene resembles a blessing or padapuja-type exchange, with a bright outdoor setting.2016-01-02Photograph of a seated figure on a red velvet and gold-carved throne blessing a man with a raised hand on his forehead. The seated figure wears a maroon and orange-gold shawl, long braided rudraksha malas and gold earrings, with dark hair swept back. The man being blessed wears white, a rudraksha mala and red-framed glasses, one palm raised in front. Behind them, two standing attendants in white dhotis with rudraksha malas and a hand holding a yellow flower garland stand nearby, and the seated figure holds a flower-decorated whisk. Outdoor setting with blurred trees and a blue canopy. Appearance cues are consistent with a person on the throne, but this is an appearance-based label only.2016-01-02A photograph of a ritual initiation at night. A man with long dark hair, a full beard, gold earrings and a rust-red shawl over his shoulders, wearing layered gold necklaces with a large gold pendant and rudraksha bead bracelets, places his hand on the forehead of a bare-chested devotee in a white dhoti and white shawl who bows forward with hands joined. Another devotee in white stands behind, and a man at left wears rudraksha malas and has white sacred ash marks. The seated man sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne-like chair in front of a stone pillar and red wall.2017-10-05A photograph of a seated man in a red-orange shawl with a white flower garland and ornate gold necklaces and armbands, placing his right hand on the forehead of a shirtless, kneeling devotee with a white painted mark on his chest. The seated man has long swept-back dark hair and a rudraksha-style necklace, and sits on a red cushioned throne with a gold backrest. Behind them, a woman in white with a rudraksha mala and a long braid sits attentively, and several people in red and white robes stand in the background. A white-handled fan-like ceremonial object with flowers lies beside the kneeling devotee. Swamiji (probable) is seated on the throne in the blessing gesture, with the visible cues of long hair, gold ornaments and saffron-toned clothing.2016-07-03A seated figure on an ornate gold-and-red throne touches the forehead of a shirtless young man kneeling before him. The seated figure wears a maroon and saffron-orange shawl, a long brown rudraksha mala draped to the lap, and a dark swept-back hairstyle with gold earrings. He holds a flower-tipped ceremonial staff with a yellow marigold-like blossom. Behind them, two attendants in white dhotis with gold-bordered shawls stand. The kneeling man wears a white cloth and a beaded necklace. The setting suggests a blessing or initiation moment.2016-01-02August 22 20172017-08-22January 02 20162016-01-02January 02 20162016-01-02October 15 20172017-10-15