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A large outdoor crowd gathers at a riverbank or waterfront during a ritual bathing event, with many people wading into shallow water. In the centre, a man in a deep maroon wrap with a heavy gold necklace stands waist-deep in the water with his hands raised to his head. Around him, men and women in white dhotis and saffron or maroon shawls, some wearing marigold and rudraksha-style garlands, stand in the water. Red flags, red and orange banners, and umbrellas fill the background, with spectators lining a wall and rooftops behind them.

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May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd of devotees bathes in a river at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. In the foreground a bare-chested man in a maroon cloth and heavy gold garlands stands waist-deep in water with his hands pressed together near his face. Around him, men and women in white and saffron cloths, rudraksha and gold necklaces, and kumkum-marked foreheads stand in the water. Red and saffron flags rise above the crowd, and a silver trident stands at the right edge beside a man in white. Many people in the background hold cameras and phones on the riverbank under a clear blue sky.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers at a riverbank during a shahi snaan bathing ritual. In the foreground, a man stands waist-deep in brown water, wearing a maroon-red cloth over his shoulders, a large gold necklace with a gold ornament, and gold armbands. Around him, many people in white, saffron and red garments wear beaded and gold necklaces; several hold long silver staffs and red flags are raised above the crowd. A bright red umbrella and streamers stand against a clear sky with trees and utility poles behind. The man is not evidently a clear appearance-based match to any candidate, so identity is left unspecified and described by role only as a bather in the ritual. The water is murky and sunlit.2016-05-21Photograph of a large crowd gathered at the water's edge during a ritual bathing scene. In the centre, a figure with long dark matted hair and bare back stands waist-deep in greenish water, with hands raised, surrounded by many men wearing white dhotis and rudraksha malas, some with bare chests, plus women in saffron and orange saris. Behind them a dense crowd of onlookers holds red and orange flags and umbrellas, and a red-and-gold palanquin-like structure appears at the left edge. Some people hold cameras. Many faces are visible; the crowd is far larger than twenty-one.2016-05-21A large crowd of devotees stands waist-deep in a river during a ritual bath. Many wear white dhotis and garlands of beads, and some wear red sashes. In the centre, a shaved-headed priest in a maroon robe stands in the water beside a figure in white clothes who pours from a large silver vessel. Red flags, a blue ceremonial umbrella and a silver trident are visible, with trees and buildings along the riverbank behind.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd of devotees gathers in shallow river water during a Kumbh Mela shahi snan. Many men wear white dhotis or cloth wraps with brown and maroon shawls and rudraksha malas, some with bare chests. A figure in the center with long dark matted locks stands waist-deep in the water, holding a trident-like staff upright, with a brass kalasha-style vessel near them. Men in orange and saffron robes stand nearby, and red flags, ceremonial umbrellas and a stage structure rise above the crowd. Photographers with cameras line the edge of the water.2016-05-21Large crowd gathered in shallow river water at a riverbank festival, with a central man standing waist-deep wearing a maroon-red dhoti-wrap, heavy gold-coloured necklaces and bangles, and his arms raised, while surrounding men and women in white and cream garments with maroon shawls, some holding a tall silver staff, wade and stand close around him. Many spectators on the banks and in the water photograph the scene with phones, and saffron and red flags, tents and banners stand along the background. Scene reads as a ritual immersion or bathing rite.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21