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A photograph of a large seated meal at a Kumbh Mela camp. Dozens of sadhus in saffron and orange robes sit cross-legged in long rows on colourful striped woven mats. Leaf plates are laid before them, and a man in white kurta in the foreground holds a small book. Many have long grey and white beards and orange turbans or headwraps; one elder on the right wears a yellow-orange wrap and a garland. A pale-clothed attendant serves near the back, and the scene is part of the bandara hosted for the Mahanirvani Akhada leaders. No individual is clearly identifiable as a person from appearance.

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September 11 20152015-09-11September 11 20152015-09-11September 14 20152015-09-14Photograph of a long row of seated sadhus in saffron and orange robes and orange turbans-style headwraps, sitting cross-legged on teal and striped rugs at a bandara meal. Banana-leaf plates with yellow rice are placed before them, with water bottles and a large steel pot in the centre. Several men have long white beards and rudraksha malas. Behind them, an ornate deity murti with gold ornaments and a red-walled hall are visible, with more people in the background.2015-09-11A large seated gathering of sadhus in saffron and orange robes sits in rows on colourful striped woven mats during a satsang-style session. Several men in front wear orange garments and a few wear white dhotis, with tilak marks on foreheads and rudraksha malas visible. Some hold open books or papers. Along the centre, a long striped cloth runs down the aisle between the rows, with brass plates placed on the mats. Behind them, standing figures in white and orange stand under a tent canopy with red chairs and a red-orange cloth hanging at the back.2015-09-17September 11 20152015-09-11 +1 copiesA seated feast scene of many saffron-robed sadhus in a hall with striped woven mats of red, green, blue and purple. Most wear orange or saffron cloth and orange or pink turbans; several have long white beards. They sit cross-legged on the mats in rows, with large dry leaf plates in front of them and small plastic water bottles nearby. In the upper left, a figure in a red-orange robe stands holding a metal tray near a large steel vessel. Some men in the foreground wear light pink-orange cloth. The atmosphere is that of a communal meal for the ascetic gathering.2015-09-11September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14September 14 20152015-09-14A large seated gathering of sadhus at a bandara-style meal in a tent, sitting in rows on colourful striped mats with green, purple and red patterns. Many men wear saffron and orange robes and turbans; some have long white beards and grey hair. Leaf plates with food are placed along the mats, and water bottles sit between them. In the lower left, a bearded man in white clothes holds a small red book. In the lower right, an older white-bearded man in orange robes sits facing the front, and a stage with decorations and a seated figure appears in the background.2015-09-11A large communal meal in a covered pavilion where many sadhus in saffron and orange robes sit cross-legged on striped mats along long rows, eating from metal plates and leaf dishes with water bottles beside them. Several have white beards and matted hair; some wear pink, orange or white head cloths. Men in white dhotis and white kurtas move between the rows serving food. Behind them, ornate golden palanquin-style shrines and a decorated deity murti stand in the background, with bright sunlight streaming through the open side of the tent.2015-09-14 +2 copies