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A photograph of a ritual scene inside a temple-like hall with orange and saffron cloth hangings and a brass lamp at left. A seated man with long dark hair, a dark red garment, layered gold necklaces and orange bangles sits on an ornate silver-and-red chair and reaches toward a bowed figure. Beside him a man in white dhoti with white ash markings on his arms and face holds a folded paper and a white thread, while a woman in white garments and an orange-clad attendant stand nearby. A bearded figure in a dark robe with a long rudraksha-style necklace and dreadlocked hair stands at left, with a white-cloth bundle in front. The scene suggests a ritual tying of threads at the head of a devotee.

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A photograph of a ceremonial blessing in a temple hall. A seated man in a dark maroon-brown robe with long dark hair, a white tilak on his forehead, beaded rudraksha-style necklaces and a large gold ceremonial pendant rests both hands on the shaved head of a bare-backed kneeling devotee in white dhoti. Beside him a standing attendant with a long beaded rudraksha mala, gold necklace and white tilak holds a folded paper, and other attendants in white dhotis with white body markings support the kneeling devotee. Orange and saffron cloths hang in the background near brass lamps and a silver seat, with a small metal animal figure in the foreground.2017-10-01A 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.2017-10-01October 05 20172017-10-05Photo 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 20172017-10-05October 05 20172017-10-05Photograph of a seated man with long dark hair, a full beard, a red-brown shawl over the shoulders, gold ornamental necklaces and rudraksha beads, bowing his head toward a bare-chested devotee in front, who has a white cloth draped over his head and a rudraksha mala at the neck. Behind the seated man is an ornate silver chair. Another person in a rudraksha mala and gold chains stands at left, holding the white cloth. The seated man extends his hands in blessing toward the bowing devotee.2017-10-05A seated man in an ornate red-orange robe with a yellow leopard-print headwrap, long hair swept back, a gold chain and layered rudraksha malas, places his hands on the head of a bald man kneeling before him. The kneeling man wears a saffron wrap and has a white thread being held over his head by a monk in orange with rudraksha beads, while another orange-clad attendant steadies him. A silver ornate backdrop stands behind; the setting resembles a ritual blessing or initiation. Appearance-based candidate: Swamiji (probable), seated and giving the blessing, with distinctive long swept-back hair, gold necklace and rudraksha malas.2017-12-10A night ceremony on a stage at a temple-style setting. A man with long loose hair, a beard, hoop earrings, a rudraksha mala and an ornate gold necklace sits on a red-cushioned silver throne in rust-red robes, one hand resting on a silver base. Beside him, a bare-chested priest with white forehead and body markings, layered beaded malas and white dhoti with gold border holds a folded paper and gestures. A figure in saffron-orange cloth bends forward toward a seated devotee, while another white-clad attendant stands at left. Behind them a red and gold ornamental banner with a sun motif hangs. The scene resembles a satsang or blessing ritual; the seated figure is an appearance-based candidate for a person, given long hair, ornate necklace and rudraksha mala.2017-10-15A seated man with long dark hair, a white forehead mark, a rudraksha-style mala and a heavy gold ceremonial necklace sits on an ornate silver throne with a red cushion, lifting a small object while a bald devotee bends forward with his head lowered. Around them, attendants in orange dhotis and white ritual cloths stand near brass oil lamps and a silver vessel inside a carved stone temple setting. Probable Swamiji (probable) is seated centrally in dark maroon robes with long swept-back hair and layered gold necklaces, presiding over the blessing. Other attendants have white body markings and orange cloth, and a golden deity murti stands in the background.2017-10-01 +1 copiesA seated bearded man with long dark hair in a high bun wears a yellow-and-black leopard-print headwrap, rudraksha malas and beaded armlets over a rust-orange robe, and a gold necklace. He holds a thin white thread or cord and a folded paper slip near the head of a bare-chested devotee bending forward in white dhoti. Two saffron-clad assistants with white horizontal marks on their arms stand beside the devotee, one holding a paper. Behind them is an ornate silver-embossed backdrop. This appears to be a blessing or initiation-style ritual with thread and paper.2017-12-10 +1 copiesOctober 01 20172017-10-01