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Photograph of a holy dip ritual at the steps of a water tank, with devotees wading waist-deep in reddish-brown water. Several people in white clothing hold small brass or gold-toned kalasha-style pots with orange cloth and garlands, lifting them toward the viewer. Behind them, a crowd of many people in white, cream, orange and blue saris and white dhotis sits and stands on red-stone steps, some with folded hands. A man in a maroon robe stands among the wading group at the right, and a shaved-headed figure in maroon at right centre holds a pot. No individual can be confidently identified as a person from appearance, so no identity is asserted. Floating marigold petals dot the water.

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January 02 20102010-01-02January 02 20102010-01-02 +1 copiesJanuary 02 20102010-01-02 +1 copiesJanuary 02 20102010-01-02 +1 copiesDevotees stand waist-deep in a water tank at a stone-stepped ghat, holding small lit oil lamps and offerings in trays. Most wear white ritual clothing, with some in saffron, orange or yellow sashes and shawls. Many have ID lanyards. Behind them on the red steps, a large crowd in white and bright clothes watches, and a man in a yellow shawl stands near a ceremonial standard with a long pole and an orange-and-white canopy at the top left. Reflections of the lamps and figures ripple across the water.2010-01-02 +1 copiesA large group of devotees stands and wades in the water of a stone-stepped tank, holding brass kalasha pots and small silver offerings aloft. Many wear orange or saffron garments with white dhotis, yellow shawls and marigold or rose garlands, and women wear orange saris with bindi and nose ornaments. Standing on the steps at right, a man in an orange robe wears a long rudraksha-style bead mala and gold necklace. Another orange-robed figure with garlands stands beside a wooden staff, and marigold and rose decorations hang at the left edge.2010-01-02 +1 copiesA large crowd stands waist-deep in the sacred waters of Vaidya Sarovar, with many people holding small brass or woven offering trays with flowers and lamps. On the stone steps behind them, devotees in white dhotis and white kurtas, some wearing yellow or orange shawls, sit and stand. Two multicoloured ceremonial umbrellas with gold finials are held aloft above a group near the centre, and several people in saffron or orange robes stand in the water. Garlands of flowers and yellow cloth decorate a raised dais at left, and tall saffron and yellow flags are visible at top. Floating flowers dot the water's surface.2010-01-02Outdoor photograph of a large group of devotees standing in water at a stepped ghat beside a sacred tank, with the water reflecting the crowd and scattered flower petals. Many people wear white and yellow cloth, and some wear orange robes. Several devotees in the water hold small lit oil lamps or decorated offerings aloft. On the steps, a figure in orange robes with a red-and-white flower garland stands near several people holding colourful striped umbrellas, and one person beside him carries a trident-topped staff. A devotee in orange with a shaved head stands near the front of the group. Ceremonial umbrellas and garlands frame the scene at dusk during a holy dip ritual.2010-01-02January 02 20102010-01-02 +1 copiesOutdoor photo of a large devotional gathering on stone steps beside water, with people standing in and along the water. At centre, a man in saffron-orange robes wears a long white and red flower garland and a rudraksha mala, holding a small vessel. Around him, people in white clothes with yellow shawls hold long ceremonial staffs and copper vessels, and several figures stand waist-deep in the water holding copper pots and trays with flowers. A group of women in orange saris also holds ritual trays. The scene appears to be a water ceremony at a sacred pond. Some people are seated on the steps behind.2010-01-02Outdoor photo of a holy dip at a stone-stepped water tank, with devotees standing and wading in the water. At centre, a figure in saffron-orange robes with a red and white flower garland and a rudraksha-style necklace speaks into a handheld microphone, appearing to address the crowd. A candidate for a person: the centre figure wears saffron-orange clothing, a garland and a beaded necklace, with long dark hair, though the appearance is only partly clear. Around him, people in white dhotis and yellow or orange shawls hold brass trays and plates of offerings, and some carry ritual staffs. Several people stand on the steps behind them and others are chest-deep in the water. Petals float on the surface.2010-01-02October 17 20102010-10-17