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Dense crowd of devotees standing waist-deep in water at a river ghat during a shahi snaan. In the centre, a bare-chested man with long dark dreadlocked hair stands in the water wearing a red-brown cloth, with a hand-held camera pointed at him. Around him, many men in white dhotis and ceremonial gold and beaded necklaces, some in saffron-red garments, raise their arms and gesture. Red and orange flags, umbrellas and a decorated red palanquin with a golden top rise above the crowd, and a few people stand on a rooftop in the background.

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May 21 20162016-05-21Photograph 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.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21Large crowd gathered at a riverbank festival with many red and orange flags and parasols. In the foreground, a long-haired figure with bare back and dark hair hangs in the water, facing away, while men in white dhotis with rudraksha malas and women in saffron and red saris stand waist-deep in the water around them. Some people raise their hands and many photographers and onlookers line the shore. Crowd estimated in the hundreds, beyond the countable range for this scene.2016-05-21A large outdoor photograph of a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan bathing scene in shallow river water, with a dense crowd of devotees packed along the banks and wading in. In the centre, a figure with long dreadlocked hair stands submerged to the waist while others in white dhotis and orange or saffron garments hold and bless them, water spraying around. Many men wear white dhotis, rudraksha malas and ceremonial gold necklaces; several women in red and orange saris and gold chains stand nearby. Numerous people hold up red and saffron flags, and videographers with cameras and tripods line the water's edge. Red and yellow tents and umbrellas appear in the background.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers at the water's edge at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. In the foreground, a figure with long dreadlocked hair, wearing a white dhoti and rudraksha malas, stands waist-deep in water with arms spread, surrounded by men in white dhotis and maroon or red shawls wearing gold and rudraksha necklaces. Behind them, sadhus in orange and saffron robes stand in the river among onlookers. Many people hold red and orange flags, and umbrellas, decorated poles and a stage with banners are visible on the bank. Many photographers with cameras crowd the scene.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers at a riverbank for a ritual bathing event, with many people standing in shallow water. In the centre, a long-haired sadhu with dreadlocks stands waist-deep, with his back to the camera, holding a trident-like staff. Around him, men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas stand in water, and women in orange and red saris and gold necklaces are nearby. Red and saffron flags and umbrellas rise above the crowd, and photographers and phones fill the foreground. The water is murky green-brown.2016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21