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Devotees bathe waist-deep in a river during a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. A central man stands in the water with his hands behind his head, wearing a maroon cloth over his shoulders, heavy gold necklaces, gold armbands and bangles. Around him, sannyasis and devotees in white dhotis, saffron and maroon shawls, and rudraksha malas crowd close, some holding a silver trident-topped staff. Others raise hands in prayer and clasp hands together. The water is murky brown and the crowd is dense.

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May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photo of a crowd of devotees bathing in a river at a sacred ghat during a Kumbh Mela shahi snan. In the centre, a man stands waist-deep in water wearing a maroon-red cloth, heavy gold necklaces and gold bangles, with his wet hair pulled up in both hands as he performs a ritual dip. Around him, many men wear white dhotis, red sashes and rudraksha and gold malas, some raising arms and chanting; one man on the right holds a silver trident. A woman in a light beige sari and a man in a yellow shirt stand nearby, and devotees fill the background. The water is brown-green and splashing.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A smiling person stands waist-deep in a river, wearing a maroon cloth draped over the shoulders, a heavy gold necklace with a large gold pendant, a gold armlet on each upper arm, and a red tilak on the forehead. Behind and around him, a large crowd of devotees stands in the water: women in white sarees with gold necklaces, men bare-chested in white dhotis with rudraksha-style malas and gold chains, and several people in saffron-orange garments. Some devotees hold hands, and one man in a white dhoti stands at the right. Many people in the background photograph the scene with cameras. This appears to be a sacred river bathing ritual with a large gathering. The person at the centre is not clearly identifiable from the image alone, so the a person field is set to unsure.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21Photograph of a large crowd standing waist-deep in a river during a ritual bath. In the centre foreground a man with short dark wavy hair, wearing a maroon-brown cloth draped over his shoulder, heavy gold necklaces, a gold armlet and gold bangles, stands in the water with a small red tilak on his forehead. Around him people in white and saffron or maroon dhotis and shawls, many wearing gold-coloured necklaces and rudraksha-style malas, stand in the water; some carry red and white flower garlands. Behind them spectators in yellow and white clothing and people holding cameras and phones watch from the bank.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21