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A photo of a initiation or deeksha ritual indoors. In the foreground on the right, a bare-shouldered man with long dreadlocked hair, a gold armband, gold earring and gold necklace wears a rust-orange shawl and bends toward a kneeling figure in white. A younger man in white dhoti with a sandalwood-marked chest stands near. On the left, a man in saffron-orange dhoti wears a long rudraksha mala with a gold pendant and bare chest. Other people in white clothing and gold rails appear in the background.

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A ritual initiation scene indoors. In the foreground, a bare-chested, long-haired figure with a brown-orange shawl, gold armlets and a gold necklace places a hand on the head of a kneeling young man in white dhoti whose head is bandaged with white cloth. Beside them, a standing priest in orange-saffron dhoti wears a long rudraksha mala and gold pendant, and another person in white is visible at the right. Gold-tipped rods and a red curtain frame the background. a person candidate with long dreadlocked hair, gold ornaments and shawl is seated as the officiant. Blessing or initiation rite with laying of hands.2017-02-15A photograph of a diksha moment in an ashram hall. A kneeling child with a shaved head and white cloth draped over the crown bows forward while a seated figure with long dreadlocked hair, a gold necklace and gold bangles places a hand on the child's head. Two standing attendants flank them, wearing saffron-orange dhotis, rudraksha mala necklaces of wooden beads and gold bead necklaces, with white ash lines on their bare arms and chests. Gold armlets and a wooden pole are visible at the right edge, and the seated figure wears an orange shawl. The setting appears to be a Gayatri or Shiva deeksha initiation. The seated figure's appearance does not clearly establish an identity, so he is described by role.2017-02-15A photograph of a Gayatri or Shiva deeksha initiation at an ashram. A bare-chested young man in white dhoti kneels with his head bowed, a white cloth tied across his hair. A standing priest in orange cloth and beaded rudraksha malas with gold ornaments presses his hand on the initiate's head. Another attendant in orange and gold necklaces stands at right, and a figure in orange cloth with a gold bracelet and ring leans in from the lower right. White sacred ash marks the initiate's shoulders and chest. a person is not clearly visible among those present.2017-02-15A photograph of a ritual blessing in an ashram setting. A bare-chested devotee with shaved-looking head covered by a white cloth bends forward while a long-haired man in an orange-red shawl places his hand on the devotee's head. Beside them, a standing man with long hair, a rudraksha mala and gold ornaments wears a white dhoti with an orange-and-gold cloth draped over one shoulder. Another person in orange stands at the left edge, and a wooden carved panel is visible at the right. The devotee has white markings on the shoulders and back, and the blessing giver wears rudraksha beads and gold earrings and bracelets.2017-06-20A photograph of a Shiva Deeksha initiation ritual. In the foreground, a figure with long dreadlocked hair and a full beard wears an orange-brown shawl, gold beaded necklaces and gold bracelets, and holds his hand on the head of a kneeling bare-chested initiate in white dhoti who is bowing forward. The initiate's chest carries white ash markings. Behind them, a standing man in orange dhoti and gold necklaces and another man with a tilak stand near a golden pole, and a white-clad crowd fills the hall beyond a maroon curtain.2017-02-15June 20 20172017-06-20February 15 20172017-02-15A ritual initiation scene in which a bare-chested young man in white dhoti with gold border, body marked with white paste, bends forward while a seated figure with long swept-back dark hair, orange-and-maroon shawl, gold armlets and a rudraksha mala places both hands on his head. A third person in orange robe and rudraksha mala stands behind, and a red-cushioned wooden platform sits in the foreground. a person's appearance cues: long dark hair, gold ornaments and rudraksha, performing the head blessing as initiator. Setting appears to be a Shiva Deeksha initiation.2017-04-26February 22 20172017-02-22February 15 20172017-02-15July 28 20172017-07-28A photograph of a ritual blessing inside a temple-like hall. A shaved-headed man in white dhoti with bare upper body bows forward, his head touched by the hands of a standing figure in white dhoti and shawl wearing long rudraksha malas, a gold chest pendant and gold-trimmed cloth. On the right, a long-haired man in a saffron-orange wrap, rudraksha bracelets and gold earring watches, with his hand raised near the bowing man's head. Gold railing and a red-and-green patterned mat are visible in the background.2017-06-20