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A seated figure in a rust-orange turban, ornate gold necklace and layered rudraksha malas sits on a red-cushioned throne with golden carved backrest, extending a hand over the joined palms of a kneeling, bare-chested devotee in a white dhoti with sacred ash markings. Behind them a saffron-clad priest with a rudraksha mala and a shaved head with tilak stands attentively, while a man in a white dhoti and gold-bordered shawl stands at left, hand on the kneeling devotee's shoulder. Dim warm lighting with a small lamp and flowers in the foreground suggests a blessing or initiation ritual.

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Photograph of a ceremonial blessing in dim, smoky light. A woman seated on an ornate golden throne wears a red-orange turban, orange garments, a heavy rudraksha mala with gold necklaces, and gold bangles and earrings; she extends her hands over a bare-chested man in white dhoti who bows forward with his palms joined. A shaven-headed priest in saffron dhoti and orange shawl with tilak and rudraksha stands behind, watching. A figure's head appears in the lower foreground. Her pose and throne suggest a seated presiding role, though her identity is not established from appearance. Haze and warm lamp light surround the scene.2015-11-24A dimly lit ceremonial scene in a blue-hazed hall. A seated figure on a red cushioned throne with an ornate golden back wears a deep maroon turban, beaded brown-and-gold necklaces, gold bangles and an orange-and-gold shawl; he extends his hand toward an older bare-chested man in white dhoti and white shawl, wearing spectacles and a white neck cord, who holds small offerings in cupped hands. A shaved-headed priest in orange-gold cloth with a rudraksha mala stands behind, and a fourth man in white dhoti steadies the older man's arm from the left edge. This appears to be a blessing or initiation moment.2015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24A seated man in a deep red-orange turban and saffron-red robe, wearing a heavy rudraksha mala, a large gold pendant and gold bangles, sits on an ornate gold throne-like seat and extends his right hand toward a bare-chested elderly man with white hair and glasses who kneels before him. Behind the elderly man, a shaven-headed attendant in white dhoti with tilak supports him, and another attendant in a white dhoti stands at the left edge. The seated man holds a small flower-decorated wand. Warm orange lighting fills the scene.2015-11-24A photograph of an outdoor ritual blessing at dusk. A shirtless man in a white dhoti with white and red markings on his chest and forehead bows forward while attendants in white steady him. Behind him a shaved-headed priest in an orange-saffron robe wears a white and red forehead band and a rudraksha mala. On the right, a seated figure in a red-orange turban, ornate gold necklaces and a red-orange shawl sits on a red cushioned gold-carved throne and extends a hand toward the man's chest in blessing. A woman in red clothing with flowers and a ritual object sits in the lower right foreground. The ground is grey stone.2015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24A photograph of a seated figure on an ornate gold throne wearing a deep red turban, layered rudraksha and beaded necklaces, a gold pendant, gold armbands and a red-and-gold striped shawl, holding a flower-topped ceremonial rod in one hand. Before the throne, a bare-chested man kneels with palms pressed together, while two standing men in white dhotis and orange cloth lean in to support him, one wearing a white vibhuti line on his forehead and a rudraksha mala. Lights and a metal stand are visible in the background. Four physical people are present.2015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24November 24 20152015-11-24