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Nithyanandapedia
Night outdoor ritual at a Nithya Kriya Yoga initiation. Dozens of bare-chested men in white dhotis sit closely on the ground, many with white sacred ash and necklaces. A standing man in white shirt and white cloth holds a vessel and sprinkles water, while another man raises green leaves overhead. Men at the front fold their hands in prayer. Bamboo poles and a canopy frame the open-air pavilion, with trees behind.

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Night photograph of a large crowd of male devotees seated closely on the ground under an open pavilion. Most are bare-chested or wearing white dhotis, with white or orange cloths over their shoulders, rudraksha-style beaded necklaces, and white sacred ash or tilak marks on their foreheads and bodies. Several sit with hands joined in prayer. Behind them a golden kalasha-like ornament or decorative structure is lit, with smoke rising from the right, and strings of coloured lights hang along the top edge beside red-and-white striped canopies. The gathering appears to be a satsang or meditation session, though no a person is clearly identifiable in the frame.2017-07-08A large seated gathering of mostly bare-chested men in white dhotis with coloured borders sits closely packed on a floor during a discourse. In the foreground, a bald man in the centre claps his hands, and a bearded man to his right with a rudraksha-style mala and an orange cloth on his waist also has his hands together. To the left, men wear gold chains and white sacred threads. Behind them, rows of devotees fill the space under a blurred green backdrop with a few people standing at the back.2017-05-26A crowded nighttime ritual scene under a canopy with red drapes. A man in a saffron-yellow garment with his hair tied up in a topknot raises a bundle of green leaves overhead, while water or sprinkled liquid sprays from it. Around him, several bare-chested men in white dhotis wear orange and rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and sacred threads, and a man in a patterned pastel shirt with a red beaded mala stands at right. Their attention is directed toward the central action.2016-12-07December 02 20162016-12-02A dense crowd of men sits closely packed on mats at an evening gathering, most bare-chested with white sacred ash smeared across their foreheads, chests and arms. Many wear rudraksha or bead necklaces and white dhotis with coloured borders. Some sit with hands folded or heads bowed, and a few men stand at the left edge in white dhotis. Brass oil lamps are visible in the background near the top of the frame. The scene resembles a satsang or initiation sitting; no a person candidate is clearly visible in the frame.2017-09-05Night photograph of a large seated congregation at an outdoor Hindu gathering, with many men sitting cross-legged in rows, most bare-chested with white ash or vibhuti markings on their foreheads and bodies, white dhotis and rudraksha or gold-toned malas around their necks. Some wear white shirts and saffron cloth. Strings of multicoloured lights hang overhead beneath tall lamps, and red-and-white striped barriers frame the scene. In the foreground, a bearded man with long hair sits centre, with several men in front of him. Several men appear to be meditating with eyes closed.2017-08-07May 26 20172017-05-26July 08 20172017-07-08Night photograph of a large seated congregation of men at an open-sided hall, many bare-chested with white sacred ash marks on their chests and arms, wearing white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces. Most sit cross-legged on a red mat, looking toward the front, some smiling. A woman in white stands at the left edge, and a man in an orange garment sits on a raised platform in the upper background beside a tall clear-chain-link fence. A purple bird logo appears at upper left.2017-09-05September 05 20172017-09-05 +1 copiesMay 26 20172017-05-26September 05 20172017-09-05 +1 copies