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A photograph of a crowd of devotees gathered in shallow river water for a ritual bath. In the centre, a bare-chested man with a white tilak on his forehead wears a red-orange cloth wrap and heavy gold necklaces, with his hands clasped above his head while he stands waist-deep in the water. Around him, men and women wear white dhotis, saffron and red saris and shawls, and rudraksha malas, many with white and yellow garlands. Several people hold plastic water bottles and cameras, and a woman in the background has a red-and-white turban-style head covering. Water splashes around the group under a grey sky.

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May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers on the bank and in shallow river water at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. In the centre, a bare-chested man stands waist-deep in water wearing a gold necklace, gold armbands and a red-orange dhoti, arms spread with palms open. Around him, devotees in white, saffron and red clothing, many wearing rudraksha and marigold-style garlands, stand in the water, some with hands folded in prayer. Photographers with cameras and red and saffron flags fill the background.2016-05-21A large outdoor crowd stands along and in a river at a sacred bathing ghat, with many photographers and red and saffron flags visible above. In the centre, a man kneels waist-deep in water with both hands pressed to his face, wearing a red-and-gold silk garment and a heavy gold necklace. Around him, men and women in white and saffron dhotis, sannyasi-style wraps and rudraksha-style garlands stand in the water, some holding a trident and a long staff. Several women in red sarees with gold necklaces press their palms together in prayer. The scene suggests a ritual bath during a Kumbh gathering.2016-05-21Devotees 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.2016-05-21May 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 20162016-05-21