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A photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation ritual. A man with long dreadlocks, a leopard-print headband, gold necklaces and bangles, and a red-orange dhoti-style cloth sits on a red cushioned seat before a gold peacock-feather backdrop, holding a white thread that he guides over the head of a kneeling bare-backed devotee with white markings on his body. To the left, a man in white cloth with rudraksha malas and a woman in red-orange sari with a rudraksha mala assist by holding the thread and a card. Other seated devotees are visible behind. Ritual of thread-tying and initiation.

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August 21 20172017-08-21A photo of a shiva deeksha initiation scene. A man seated on a red cushioned throne in front of an ornate gold lotus-petal backrest wears a leopard-print headband, rudraksha-style beaded and gold ceremonial necklaces, gold armbands, a saffron-red shawl and a tilak on his forehead; the page identifies him as a person, based on his long swept-back hair, ornate gold jewellery and throne presence. A bare-chested devotee in white dhoti bows his head toward him. To the left, a woman in orange-red robes with rudraksha malas holds a white cord and a small printed slip, assisting the initiation.2017-08-21Photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation ceremony. A seated man on a red throne with a gold-patterned backrest wears a leopard-print headband, a rust-brown saffron-toned cloth, a long gold bead necklace and gold armbands, and raises his right hand in blessing. Before him a bare-chested devotee in a white dhoti bends forward while a woman in a rust-red sari with a bindi holds a white thread over his head. A man on the left in a white dhoti with a rudraksha mala and white vibhuti marks on his forehead watches the rite. The setting is an evening ceremony with a white structure behind.2017-08-21A seated man in a rust-red ochre garment with a leopard-print turban and a tilak on his forehead smiles while a kneeling, bare-backed devotee receives a white sacred thread. He wears heavy gold beaded necklaces, gold armlets and bangles, and sits before a red cushioned seat and a gold shell-patterned backdrop. On the left, a woman in a rust-coloured sari with rudraksha beads reaches toward the thread, assisting the initiation. The scene suggests a Shiva Deeksha initiation ritual. Swamiji (probable): the seated man has long swept-back hair, a leopard-print turban, ornate gold necklaces and ochre clothing, and is presented as the initiating guru.2017-08-21September 24 20172017-09-24 +2 copiesAugust 21 20172017-08-21September 05 20172017-09-05A photograph of a ritual in a temple-like setting. A seated man in a dark maroon-red dhoti-style robe and heavy gold necklaces and a gold waist belt sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne, wearing a white tilak on his forehead and reddish-orange bangles. A devotee's bare-backed figure with dark hair leans forward with his head bowed, and a attendant in a white dhoti with gold border and beaded necklaces holds a white thread and a small card. The thread is being wound or tied around the devotee's head. Orange cloth and brass lamps are visible in the background, along with a silver lion-shaped armrest. Three people are visible.2017-10-01September 24 20172017-09-24 +1 copiesOutdoor evening initiation scene. A seated figure on a red cushioned throne with an ornate gold-and-red backrest wears a leopard-print headwrap, rust-orange draped robe, heavy gold necklaces, gold bangles and hoop earrings, and touches the forehead of a bare-chested, white-clothed devotee bowing before him, who holds a small card. Behind them a standing man with white vibhuti marks, a beaded rudraksha-style mala and gold chains watches. Other people in red and blue garments stand in the background. Swamiji (probable): the seated figure's long swept-back hair, gold ornaments and ceremonial orange-red robe match the presentation cues, consistent with a Shiva Deeksha initiation.2017-08-21September 17 20172017-09-17 +1 copiesDecember 10 20172017-12-10