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A seated man in a rust-brown dhoti and shawl, wearing layered gold necklaces and gold armbands, sits on an ornate red and silver throne and places his right hand on the head of a young man who bows forward. The bowing man wears a white headband, white dhoti and bare torso marked with white ash lines, with a rudraksha mala and beaded necklace. Around them stand several young men in saffron-orange cloths, some bare-chested with white markings, and one with long hair. A golden trident stands beside the throne, a brass lamp stand with lit flames sits behind, and a red curtain hangs in the background. A white fan is placed in the foreground. The scene appears to be a blessing or initiation moment in a hall setting.

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A seated man in a red velvet throne chair, wearing saffron-orange robes, layered gold necklaces and a gold bracelet, places his right hand on the head of a young man bowed forward in white dhoti with a white head cloth and bare upper body marked with white ash lines. Beside the throne stands a golden trident. Behind them, several saffron-clad and white-clad young men with striped body markings stand in a hall with red drapes, brass lamps and a white cooler. The seated figure with long hair, beard and a garland is an appearance-based a person giving a blessing or initiation to a devotee. Five or more people are visible in the scene.2017-02-15A seated man with long swept-back hair, a thick beard, a crown-like headpiece absent, wearing a rust-brown robe and a heavy gold-and-beaded garland, sits on an ornate red-cushioned white throne with bare feet. He touches the head of a kneeling young man in a white dhoti and bare chest who has a white cloth tied over his eyes and a white-marked upper body. Behind them stand several men in saffron-orange robes, some bare-chested with white body markings, with a golden trident stand and red curtains in the background. A small table with a white candle sits beside the throne. Multiple men are visible, including standing devotees in orange and white.2017-02-15A seated man in a rust-orange robe and gold ornamental necklaces sits on a red and white ornate throne, his right hand resting on the head of a young man who bows forward. A tall golden trident stands beside the throne. Around them, shirtless men in white dhotis and orange cloths stand, some with white ash markings and a white head-band, in a hall with red drapes, brass lamps and an electric fan. A rudraksha mala hangs on a young man behind the bowing figure. The scene suggests a blessing or initiation ritual. Swamiji (probable) appearance cues include the swept-back hair, ornate gold necklaces and orange robe on the throned figure.2017-02-15A photograph of an initiation ritual on a raised stage under a white tent. A seated man in a rust-orange turban, rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and a pink floral garland sits on a silver-framed red-cushioned throne, placing his right hand on the head of a bare-chested male devotee in a white dhoti with a white headband. Around them, several saffron-robed young men with long dreadlocked hair, orange cloths and beaded arm bands assist, one holding the devotee's shoulder. A white-clad attendant stands beside the devotee, and a gold-trimmed canopy and striped cloth cover the floor.2017-03-11A seated man in an ornate gold-and-red throne with a red cushion, wearing a dark rust-red wrap, a long rudraksha mala and a gold waist-band, holds a flywhisk-like wand while touching the forehead of a bare-chested man kneeling before him. Standing behind the throne is a man in white dhoti and shawl with gold borders, wearing a rudraksha mala and a black crossbody strap, with a bangle on his upper arm. On the left, another man in white ritual dress with gold borders and a long rudraksha mala stands with a tilak on his forehead. A red wall and blue tent fabric form the background. The figure on the throne has long swept-back hair and a crown-like headpiece, and the scene reads as a blessing given to a devotee.2016-01-02February 15 20172017-02-15December 17 20172017-12-17 +1 copiesA 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.2016-05-21Photo of a shaiva initiation ritual on a raised stage with a green ornate cornice and a red-canopied throne at right. A seated man in a maroon turban, rudraksha mala, gold necklaces and a pink-and-white garland, with a maroon shawl, extends his hand over a kneeling devotee bare-chested with a white cloth, while a line of attendants in saffron and white stands by, one wearing a leopard-print wrap, another with a rudraksha mala. A white thread is held near the kneeling devotee. a person is the seated figure on the throne, identified by his maroon turban, ornate gold ornaments and ceremonial throne. Other figures are priests and devotees.2017-03-11August 22 20172017-08-22A seated man in an orange-red turban, rudraksha malas and a rust-coloured robe places his hands on the head of a bare-chested devotee in white dhoti with yellow borders during an initiation. Behind them stands a silver trident and a silver ritual staff, and a large silver cobra hood is visible above the seat. Several white-clad attendants with white ash marks on their arms and shoulders support and touch the devotee. A maroon curtain forms the backdrop, with fruit and offerings on a table nearby.2018-03-09February 15 20172017-02-15