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A photograph of a nighttime initiation scene at an outdoor ashram setting. A bearded man in a rust-brown wrap, red turban with a small gold ornament, gold necklaces and bangles sits on an ornate gold throne with carved wings and a leopard-print cushion, touching the forehead of a bare-chested male devotee in a white dhoti with his palms pressed together. Swamiji (probable): the seated man wears a red turban, gold necklaces and a rust-brown wrap, with ornate gold regalia behind him. Nearby, a woman in a yellow-and-cream sari with beaded necklaces, a shirtless young man with a rudraksha mala, and other devotees in white and saffron stand watching. A golden staff rests beside the throne.

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A seated man in a rust-red and brown robe and red turban with a gold brooch sits on a golden throne with a sunburst backrest and leopard-print cushions. Long dark hair falls past his shoulders, and he wears heavy gold ceremonial necklaces and a gold armband. A shirtless young man in white dhoti with a sacred thread bends forward to touch the seated figure's hands in reverence. Behind them, a woman in a cream sari with a red-and-gold border and a brown rudraksha mala stands beside another devotee. A golden ceremonial staff stands at left. Probable Swamiji (probable) figure wears distinctive long hair, ornate gold necklaces and saffron-toned clothing, seated in an honorific role.2017-02-21February 21 20172017-02-21A seated man in a rust-red turban and rust-red robe, wearing a heavy gold necklace, gold armband and bangles, marks the forehead of a bare-chested young male devotee with his right hand while sitting on a leopard-print cushioned throne ornamented with gold scrollwork. The devotee wears a white cloth and a brown beaded mala. Behind them, a woman in a white sari with a brown beaded necklace and another devotee with a white forehead mark and orange garment look on. A red pillar and a gold and red floral arrangement appear in the background.2017-02-21February 21 20172017-02-21February 21 20172017-02-21Outdoor evening ritual on a raised platform before a large gilded throne with sunburst backrest and leopard-print cushions. A bearded man in a rust-red wrap, red turban with white tilak, gold necklaces and a rudraksha mala places his hand on the head of a bare-chested young man in white dhoti who kneels before him. Standing nearby, a woman in cream sari with gold necklace and a man in white dhoti holding a white thread bundle attend the ritual; more people in orange and saffron clothing stand behind. A tall gold-capped staff stands at left. The seated figure is an appearance-based a person candidate receiving the ritual role of initiator, a presiding guru during the Vishesha Deeksha initiation.2017-02-21July 01 20172017-07-01 +1 copiesA seated man with long swept-back black hair wrapped in a high turban-like crown with a gold ornament, wearing an orange-saffron shawl draped over his bare shoulders and a beaded rudraksha-style mala necklace, places his right palm on the forehead of a kneeling devotee in a white shirt and grey trousers. He sits on a leopard-print cushioned throne before a golden ornate pedestal and a dark red curtain, with a brass oil lamp nearby. On the right, a woman in an orange sari with a dark bead mala and a gold pendant stands watching.2016-03-01 +1 copiesA seated man in a red-orange dhoti and shawl, with a white vertical tilak on his forehead, rudraksha malas across his chest and a gold-coloured ear ornament, extends his right hand toward a kneeling devotee in a white shirt who holds his palms together in namaskar. Behind the throne is a gold-trimmed seat with a red and striped cloth. Beside them a woman in white with an orange rudraksha mala stands watching. The scene is a darshan with blessing. The man has long swept-back hair, rudraksha mala and ornate gold-toned adornments; the Swamiji (probable) appearance cues are present, matching the event page, so he is described as the teacher giving blessing.2014-06-02A photograph of a ritual initiation on a red-carpeted stage. A bearded man with long hair, wearing a maroon-brown robe, a long garland and beaded necklaces, sits on an ornate gold throne carved with a cobra hood and lion-shaped armrests, placing his hand on the forehead of a bare-chested young boy in white dhoti with gold border who stands with palms joined. Two attendants stand behind: one in orange cloth with dreadlocks, another in white dhoti and shawl holding a gold trident-topped staff. A woman in a green sari stands at the right edge. Background shows red and gold decor and lights.2017-04-03October 25 20152015-10-25A man with long dreadlocks, a white tilak on his forehead and a red-orange dhoti-style cloth sits on a red-cushioned seat before ornate gold-relief panels. He wears a thick gold necklace of beads and a gold pendant, and gold earrings. He places his right hand on the head of a young boy in a white shirt with an orange-red shawl, who has his eyes closed and face lifted. A pink paper is held in the man's left hand. A woman's partial figure is visible at the lower left. Appearance-based cues (long dreadlocks, gold ceremonial necklace, saffron-red robe, seated on a throne-like seat) make this a person giving blessing to the boy; attribution is based on these cues.2017-08-11