Skip to content
Nithyanandapedia
A photograph of a ritual blessing in a temple setting. A seated figure on a red and silver throne wears a maroon-brown robe, multiple large gold necklaces, red beaded bracelets, a gold waist belt and long dark hair with a white tilak on the forehead; he holds a bundle of white cloth or thread against the head of a bare-chested devotee who leans forward. Two attendants in white dhotis stand behind, one wearing a brown rudraksha mala, the other with white body markings and beaded bracelets. Silver lion figurines sit at the base of the throne, and orange and gold fabrics and ornaments fill the background. The scene suggests a blessing ritual; the seated figure is described by role, and the appearance-based Swamiji (probable) label applies given the long hair, ornate gold necklaces and saffron-toned robe.

More like this

Open the gallery
Photo of a ritual initiation in a temple setting. A seated man in a dark maroon-brown robe, with long dark dreadlocks, a gold necklace of beads and a red beaded bracelet, sits on a silver-and-red throne. He places his hand on the head of a kneeling bare-chested devotee with white ash markings, who bows forward with a white sacred thread passing over his shoulder. Two attendants in white dhotis stand behind, one wearing a rudraksha mala and orange-and-white clothing. Orange and colourful cloth hangings and brass vessels fill the background, and a small silver lion figure sits at the throne base. The dreadlocked seated figure is an appearance-based a person, identified by long dreadlocks, ornate gold beads and throne placement.2017-10-01October 05 20172017-10-05A seated man in rust-red saffron-toned robes wears a heavy gold bead necklace with a large gold pendant, a gold waist belt, red rudraksha bracelets on his arms, and a white tilak on his forehead. He sits on a red and silver throne, his right hand resting on the upper back of a kneeling young man who bows his head forward. A second robed attendant in white dhoti with rudraksha malas stands at the left edge, and a silver lion figure sits on the floor near the throne in a temple-like setting with gold ornaments in the background. The seated man is a probable Swamiji by appearance cues: long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklace and pendant, and saffron robes, seated in a ceremonial blessing with a kneeling devotee.2017-10-01A seated man in a rust-brown robe with a gold-beaded necklace, gold waist belt and red bangles sits on an ornate silver-and-red throne, a tilak on his forehead and long dark hair falling down his back. He holds a white thread and reaches toward the head of a bare-chested man bowing forward, whose head is being guided by the seated figure's hand. Behind him a second man in white dhoti and layered rudraksha malas holds a small pink card and thread. Stone lion figures flank the throne, with orange and red fabrics hanging in the background. Visible ritual action suggests a thread-binding blessing. Swamiji (probable): the seated man wears a saffron-brown robe, long hair, a gold necklace and a throne, consistent with the page reference.2017-10-01A photograph of a ceremonial moment on a silver and red throne. A seated man with long dreadlocks, a white forehead mark, rudraksha earrings, rudraksha malas and heavy gold necklaces, wearing a rust-red robe with a gold waist belt, guides a bare-chested devotee in white dhoti who bows forward with his head lowered. The seated man's hands rest near the devotee's head while a white thread is held taut across it. A third person in white dhoti and rudraksha mala stands at left holding a small pink card. Orange and saffron cloths and a brass lamp stand in the background. a person: the seated man has long dreadlocks, rudraksha ornaments, gold necklaces and a red robe, consistent with the page reference.2017-10-01A photograph of a seated man in maroon-red saffron-toned robes and a heavy gold necklace and gold waist belt, seated on an ornate silver and red throne, with a white forehead mark and long dark hair, leaning forward with his hands on the head of a bare-chested devotee in white dhoti who bows before him. A second priest in white dhoti, rudraksha mala and gold chain holds a pink paper or cloth above them, while a white thread is held across the devotee's head. Orange and red drapery and a silver lamp stand appear in the background. The seated man is a probable Swamiji candidate by appearance: long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklace and saffron-maroon robes, shown on a throne performing a blessing on a kneeling devotee.2017-10-01A photograph of a ceremonial moment in a temple-like hall. A bare-chested, white-haired elderly man in a white dhoti bows forward, his head pressed toward a seated figure. The seated man wears a dark maroon-red cloth draped over his body, a heavy gold bead necklace with a large gold pendant, a gold waist belt, red-orange beaded bracelets on the arms, and has long dark hair swept back with a crown-like silver throne behind him. Two attendants in white and orange stand behind, one wearing red-brown rudraksha beads, and orange cloth hangs in the background. Seated on a red cushioned silver throne with a silver lion-shaped footrest, the seated figure has a person appearance, with long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklaces and dark maroon robes as cues. The bowing man is a devotee receiving blessing.2017-10-01A seated man in an rust-orange draped robe and multiple strands of rudraksha and gold-tone beads sits on a red cushioned throne with silver lion-shaped armrests, one hand resting on the head of a shirtless devotee kneeling before him with palms pressed together. Behind, a bare-chested attendant in white dhoti with gold border and rudraksha malas holds a cloth or book near the kneeling devotee's head, while an orange-clad person stands at the left edge. The seated figure has long swept-back hair, a crown-like ornament, and hoop earrings.2017-10-15A 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.2017-10-01A photograph of a seated man on an ornate silver throne with a red cushion, wearing a rust-red shawl over the body, a gold multi-strand necklace with a large gold pendant, a rudraksha bracelet and armband, and a vertical tilak on the forehead. He is touching the forehead of a standing devotee wearing a white dhoti with gold border and bare upper body, who is bending forward. Another person in white clothing is partly visible at left, and a silver lion-shaped armrest sits at lower left. Appearance-based probable Swamiji cues: long swept-back hair, ornate gold necklaces and rudraksha adornments, seated on a throne with a ceremonial role. The setting is an outdoor ceremonial area with stone pillars and railings, consistent with a blessing or deeksha moment.2017-10-05A photograph of a seated man in a dark red-brown robe with a gold-trimmed belt and a heavy gold ceremonial necklace, wearing a red mala-like bead set and red bangles, sitting on an ornate silver and red-cushioned throne. Swamiji (probable): long swept-back hair, a shaved-headed clerical presence aside, a beard, and a red-brown robe with ornate gold ceremonial jewelry indicate the seated figure, who holds a thin white thread drawn across the head of a bare-chested man bending forward. The bending man has a white ritual cord and white dhoti-style cloth, while a second attendant in white with rudraksha beads and gold chain holds a folded paper. Behind them stand orange and saffron-robed figures and a deity murti in the background, with a carved stone pillar and a silver lion-shaped footstool in front.2017-10-01October 08 20172017-10-08