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A seated man in a maroon robe with gold ornaments and long dark hair, wearing a white tilak on his forehead and multiple gold necklaces, holds a silver ceremonial staff with a round finial and touches the forehead of a kneeling, shaved-headed young man in white dhoti with orange-bordered cloth and an orange shawl folded over his arm. Red draped fabric, a golden throne carving, and stage lights form the backdrop, with a small figure partly visible at the bottom edge of the frame. The scene resembles a sannyas initiation or blessing ceremony. Whether the seated man is a person cannot be confirmed from appearance, so he is described by role.

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A photograph of a stage ceremony with red draped backdrop and bright stage lights. A seated figure in a maroon-red cloth with long dark dreadlocked hair, gold armbands, bangles and a long gold necklace places a hand on the head of a bald, shaved-headed initiate in white cloth. The seated figure holds a tall silver staff with a round top, and a gold-carved throne stands at right. Behind them, several white-robed men wear red-orange shawls and a pink decorated pillar is visible. A woman in a white garment with orange shawl stands beside the initiate, and another woman sits at lower right.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a sannyas initiation ceremony in a hall with red drapes and a red carpet. A shaven-headed initiate in white dhoti and white upper cloth, with white tilak on his forehead, bows forward while holding folded saffron cloths. A seated figure in a maroon-red robe with long swept-back dark hair, white tilak, heavy gold necklaces, gold bangles and earrings raises his right hand to the initiate's head in blessing, while holding a silver staff. Behind the initiate, two men in white dhotis stand, and a woman in white sari kneels beside the saffron cloths. A red-cushioned gold throne is visible at right.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a ceremonial initiation at a Kumbh Mela event. A seated man in a rust-red robe, gold bangles, a gold necklace and long dark hair holds a silver staff and touches the forehead of a shaved-headed young man in white dhoti and shawl with yellow borders, who holds folded orange cloth. Onlookers in white stand behind, a woman in white with orange cloth sits nearby, and a red draped backdrop and gold throne frame the scene.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a ceremonial initiation at a Kumbh Mela-style event. A seated figure in a maroon-red robe, with long dark swept-back hair, a white tilak, gold bangles, and a heavy gold necklace of beads, rests his hand on the crown of a shaved-headed man in white dhoti and a red shawl. The seated figure holds a silver ceremonial staff. A woman in white with rudraksha beads stands behind, and a red-draped structure and a golden throne frame the scene. Several white-clad men stand at left.2016-05-21