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Night outdoor initiation scene during a Vishesha Deeksha ritual. A seated figure in a rust-red robe with a long garland of white and gold beads and a leopard-print headband sits on a large gold-leaf throne and places his hand on the head of a bare-chested, white-dhoti-clad devotee who bows before him. A second attendant in a white-marked face and beaded necklaces stands behind the devotee holding a round fan, while a figure in saffron-orange robes stands to the left and another woman in a white sari with gold border stands at the right edge. The seated figure wears a red tilak, rudraksha bracelets and gold earrings, and the seated man has a bun of long hair, all in a candlelit ceremony setting.

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Night-time initiation ritual photographed outdoors. A seated man in a rust-orange robe and multiple rudraksha malas, wearing a leopard-print headband and a red bindi, extends his right hand to the forehead of a bare-chested young man in white dhoti with white sacred ash markings, who holds a red-and-white thread. A second bare-chested man with ash on his arms and a rudraksha mala stands behind, and a gilded throne with a lotus-petal back rises in the background.2017-08-22August 22 20172017-08-22October 10 20172017-10-10 +2 copiesNight-time ritual photograph at an outdoor ceremony. A seated man on a red cushioned throne before a gold-leaf backdrop wears a maroon-red cloth, layered rudraksha and gold-bead garlands, a gold necklace, gold armlets and a patterned leopard-print headband, with eyes closed and hands extended. Before him a bare-chested devotee in white dhoti bends forward, offering his palms over the seated man's hands. Behind them, figures in saffron-orange robes and white tilak marks on their foreheads stand, one holding a fan. The seated figure appears to be the a person, identified by the long swept-back hair tied up, rudraksha malas, gold ornaments and ceremonial red-and-gold clothing, while the devotees are in white and saffron attire.2017-08-22August 22 20172017-08-22Outdoor evening photo of a seated man in rust-red saffron robes and layered rudraksha and bead malas, wearing a leopard-print headband, with dreadlocked hair and a vertical tilak on his forehead. He rests a hand on the head of a bare-chested devotee kneeling before him, who has white ash markings on his chest and shoulders and wears a white dhoti and beaded necklaces. The devotee holds a red and white ritual staff. Behind them stand other attendees in orange and white robes, and a large golden peacock-feather-style throne rises in the background. The scene suggests a ritual initiation with a blessing.2017-08-22September 17 20172017-09-17A seated man on a red-cushioned gold-backed throne raises his right palm in blessing while smiling. He wears a leopard-print yellow-and-black headband, a rust-brown shawl, heavy gold beaded necklaces and wide gold armlets and bangles, with his long hair falling behind. Before him a shaved-headed devotee in a white dhoti with white body marks kneels with palms joined, holding a small book. Behind them a second man with long matted hair, white forehead marks, beaded necklaces and a rust cloth stands, and a woman in a dark red sari stands in the background. This is a shiva deeksha initiation scene at night.2017-08-21A photograph of a ritual initiation at an ashram. A bare-backed young man kneels with his head bowed while a robed man in maroon cloth and a long gold necklace with a large gold pendant places a white cloth or sacred marking on his head. The seated man has long swept-back hair, a white tilak on his forehead, gold earrings and gold armbands. Behind them, several men in saffron-orange robes and rudraksha malas stand, and a man in white dhoti and shawl with rudraksha beads stands at the left edge, holding a strand of beads. A silver-draped seat appears at the upper right.2017-09-17 +1 copiesA photograph of a ceremony on a stage. A bearded man with long hair, wearing an orange-brown saffron-toned robe, multiple strands of rudraksha malas, a gold necklace and gold earrings, sits on a red-cushioned silver throne and rests one hand on the head of a shirtless man kneeling before him with palms joined. Beside the throne is a silver statue of a cow. A second man in white dhoti with gold borders and rudraksha malas stands behind, holding a comb near the kneeling devotee's head. A figure in orange robes stands at the left edge. The seated man appears to be a person with distinctive saffron robes, long hair, rudraksha malas and gold ornaments, and the kneeling man is a devotee receiving blessing.2017-10-15December 10 20172017-12-10A seated man in a rust-orange wrap with layered red-beaded necklaces, a gold pendant, a gold earring and long swept-back dark hair sits on an ornate white-and-red throne, extending his right hand in blessing toward the head of a bare-chested devotee in an orange cloth. Behind him stands a bare-chested priest with horizontal white-and-ash forehead markings, a dark rudraksha-style mala and white dhoti. A red and gold parasol with a sun motif and floral embroidery shields the scene. In front, seated men attend a brass and silver puja setup with small vessels, a silver bull figure and a white cloth. The man on the throne shows a person cues: long swept hair, ornate gold necklace and saffron-toned clothing, placed in a seated role receiving devotees.2017-10-15