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A photograph of a ritual initiation in a hall with pink-washed walls and framed posters behind. In the foreground, a man with a bare upper body and a white cloth tied at his waist bends forward over a seated devotee wearing a white cloth, while a shirtless attendant with a rudraksha mala stands at right gripping a gold-coloured pole. A gold-edged wooden screen stands at left beside a figure in an orange-brown head wrap. Behind them, a woman in a white sari with a black thread necklace stands near seated participants in white garments. Dozens of people in white cloths sit on the floor in the background. a person's presence is not visibly confirmed; no candidate matches the cues.

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February 22 20172017-02-22March 06 20162016-03-06 +1 copiesIndoor initiation ceremony in a hall with a stage and banners on the walls, with a seated crowd of white-clad devotees in the background. In the foreground a figure with a large orange-saffron turban, gold bangles and ornate gold jewellery sits on a raised golden-edged seat, extending a hand toward a kneeling woman in an orange-red sari with a rudraksha mala who holds a small white object. A man with a grey head, bare upper body and white dhoti kneels and holds a white cloth. Another bare-chested man with a rudraksha mala stands at right beside a tall golden staff, and a woman in a white sari with gold border and a tilak stands behind. Several other people in white garments are visible at left and rear. The scene suggests a Shiva Deeksha initiation, a gold-edged seat, a golden staff and orange-clad initiate.2017-02-22November 22 20152015-11-22September 11 20152015-09-11 +1 copiesNovember 22 20152015-11-22November 01 20152015-11-01A seated man in a rust-orange robe with a rudraksha mala and a gold-trimmed cloth places his right hand on the head of a kneeling man in a white dhoti and shirt with gold border, giving a blessing during darshan. Behind them, women in white saris and orange-brown garments stand and kneel on a red carpet in a hall with red drapes and a gold ceremonial staff. A gold deity murti or seated figure is visible in the lower foreground.2014-11-02A seated figure in an orange-red turban and orange-and-saffron garment, wearing a gold-and-red bead necklace, extends his right arm to place his hand on the head of a devotee bowing before him. The devotee wears a white headband, white shirt and white dhoti, with a mala around his neck and hands folded. An older attendant in white with gold-bordered cloth and beaded necklace stands at right, supporting the devotee's arm. Behind them a crowd of men in white dhotis and shirts stands with hands folded, and a gold-carved throne is visible at lower left. The scene suggests a diksha-style blessing with the head touch.2015-09-05A photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation in a large hall with pink walls and framed posters. Beside him a bare-chested man in orange wrap and rudraksha mala holds a white cord, and seated devotees in saffron and orange clothes receive initiation with a tall golden staff in the centre. Standing men and women in white dhotis and saris watch, and a crowd fills the stage area behind. The floor is covered with colourful woven mats.2017-02-22Night photograph of a ceremonial honouring at an open-air outdoor setting beneath golden draped fabric and hanging decorations. A man seated on a red-cushioned golden throne with a large golden fan-shaped backrest wears a red-orange turban, a rudraksha-style mala and a floral garland, and is decorated with bangles. Two elderly priests in white dhotis with gold borders and white shawls kneel at his feet, one tending the base of the throne. Around them stand a group of young men in saffron-orange cloths, one with a long braid and another with white ritual markings on his chest, and several women in orange and white saris with garlands. A tall man in white on the right wears a white shawl and has his hands raised in greeting. Marigold and pink garlands and a flower-decorated pot sit on the purple cloth in front. Eighteen people are visible.2017-07-08September 05 20152015-09-05