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A stage ceremony before a purple draped curtain. Several shaved-headed monks in saffron orange robes sit cross-legged on the left, while a long-haired figure in orange stands before a gilded, red-cushioned throne under a small canopy. Another orange-robed attendant kneels at lower right, holding leaves and offering plates; further right, a woman in orange sits among seated devotees. Gold and silver deity murtis, a silver kalasha-like vessel, brass pots with yellow flowers and offering plates occupy the foreground. The setting suggests a puja or initiation ritual.

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A photograph of an initiation or brahmacharya training session with rows of seated monks in saffron-orange robes, several with shaved heads, sitting on a low wooden platform before a maroon curtain. On the right, a long-haired man in orange robes stands beside a gold-and-red throne with a canopy, holding a silver plate or offering tray; a second younger man in orange stands next to him. Gold and silver deity murtis, including a standing figure with a flute and a female deity figure, sit among the seated monks, with a silver arch-shaped lamp stand and brass vessels, flower petals and a plate of fruit in the foreground. a person: the long-haired figure standing beside the throne wears orange robes and has long, swept-back dark hair, but the cues are not distinctive enough to confirm his identity.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22Indoor ritual session in a temple-like hall with purple drapes and a red-cushioned golden throne backed by a gilded frame. Around the altar are gilded deity murtis, including a dancing figure and a seated deity with a trident-like emblem. A standing man with long dark hair and bare chest, wearing an orange cloth, holds a small ritual object at the altar, while a younger man in orange robes with a red-beaded garland stands beside him holding a tray of red flowers. Several shaved-headed monks and young disciples in orange robes sit cross-legged on the floor facing the altar. Brass vessels with yellow flowers, a gilded kalasha-style pot and a small golden shrine stand before them. Colourful banners hang from the ceiling. The standing man has distinctive long hair and bare-chested adornments, so he may be a person leading the ritual, but this is uncertain.2006-08-22Indoor ritual in a temple-like hall with purple drapery and a golden throne-style seat with red cushions. Several people in saffron-orange robes sit on the floor facing the altar, many with shaved heads or long hair, some wearing rudraksha malas. A standing man on the right, with curly shoulder-length hair and saffron cloth, holds a brass bell and a lit oil lamp over a tray near brass pots of flowers and mango leaves. Golden deity statues, including a dancing figure with a flute and a standing figure, decorate the altar, and incense smoke rises. A visible kalasha-style and padapuja-style offering arrangement with yellow flowers and petals sits on the floor. The lamp and bell suggest an aarti or puja.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22A ceremonial initiation scene on a raised red-carpeted platform before a purple draped curtain. A standing figure in long flowing saffron-orange robes, with long wavy hair, holds a golden parasol-shaped canopy over an ornate gilded throne with red cushions. Seated in rows on the floor to the left are about a dozen shaven-headed monks in orange robes and rudraksha malas, with palms joined in devotion. Brass and silver deity murtis, a silver kalasha-style vessel and small offering plates sit before them, with a kalasha and flowers on the platform. Yellow and patterned banners hang at the top left.2006-08-22Photograph of a Kailaasa monastic initiation or brahmacharya training session inside a temple hall with a shrine of gold deity murtis, a red velvet-backed throne and purple curtains. Numerous people in saffron/orange monastic robes sit in rows on a raised platform, most with shaved heads. A standing figure at right in orange robes with long curly hair and a bare upper body stands before the platform, with a tray of offerings nearby. Brass kalasha-style vessels with yellow flowers and banana leaves sit on the platform, and rose petals are scattered on the steps. A golden stupa-shaped object and a silver lamp stand on the left.2006-08-22A photograph of a temple-style hall with purple curtains and a gilded throne-like seat under a small canopy. In the foreground, a figure in an orange wrap stands with long dark hair, facing a row of seated people in orange robes on a raised platform. Two seated men on the left have shaved heads and wear orange; a row of women in orange saris or robes sits on the right beside offerings of fruit, coconuts and flowers. A standing gold-coloured deity murti and smaller brass figures stand on the platform, with a brass vessel and plates of flowers and fruit in front. Colourful patterned banners hang from the ceiling at the top.2006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22August 22 20062006-08-22A ceremonial initiation scene on a raised red-and-orange platform before deep plum draped curtains. A figure in orange robes with long dark hair sits on an ornate gilded throne with a red cushion and a small canopy above it, holding an open book. Around him, dozens of shaved-headed monks in orange robes sit cross-legged in rows on the left, while women and men in orange clothing sit on the right. A standing white and gold statue in orange drapery stands at the right edge, with white deity murtis on the stage. Brass vessels, a silver tray and bowls of yellow flowers sit on the steps. Yellow and blue patterned banners hang at the top corners, and a standing fan is at the right.2006-08-22