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A photograph of a river bathing ritual at a crowded riverbank. In the foreground a bare-backed man in a maroon-and-gold dhoti kneels submerged in brown water while two attendants in white dhotis with gold borders and beaded necklaces support him. Behind them a large group of devotees wades in the river, many in white dhotis with gold or red cloth, some in orange and maroon robes and rudraksha or flower garlands. Onlookers with red, orange and pink umbrellas and flags fill the bank in the background.

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May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09A large crowd gathers on the bank and in shallow water of a river during a ritual bathing procession. In the centre, a bare-backed man with long wet dark dreadlocks bends forward, head lowered into the water, his hands at the riverbed, a dark cloth around his waist and gold bangles on his wrists. Around him, many men in white dhotis and white shirts with gold-coloured necklaces and rudraksha beads stand in the water, some with red and saffron sashes. A man in an orange robe with a gold necklace stands at right, and a bald man in white with a gold-bead necklace stands in the foreground. Several ceremonial umbrellas in red, pink and orange rise above the crowd, and red and saffron flags are visible at left.2016-05-09A photograph of a shahi snan ritual bathing in shallow river water with a crowd of devotees on the banks. A central figure with long matted black hair bends forward, head lowered into the water, with gold bangles on the wrist. Around him, men wear white dhotis and saffron or maroon wraps with rudraksha malas and gold necklaces; one man in orange robes stands behind them. Several onlookers in the background hold red and white umbrellas and colourful flags. Bald priests in white and ochre attire, wearing beaded necklaces and earrings, stand at the water's edge and assist the bather.2016-05-09A photograph of a river bathing ritual. In the center, a person with long dark matted hair bends forward almost fully submerged in brownish water, held by the hands of a man in white dhoti and gold-bordered shawl standing waist-deep. Around them, several people in white dhotis with gold borders and maroon or red sashes stand in the water, some wearing gold and beaded necklaces. On the right, a man in saffron-orange robes and a gold necklace stands at the water's edge, and a bare-chested man wears a gold necklace. Behind them, a crowd and a pink-and-red umbrella or canopy are visible, with flags raised above the crowd.2016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09A photograph of a river bathing ritual with a crowd of devotees standing waist-deep in brownish water. In the centre, a bare-backed man with long, dark, dreadlocked hair bends forward into the water, his head lowered, with gold armlets and a dark sash around his waist. Around him, men in white dhotis and white shirts, several with rudraksha and gold beaded necklaces, wade and hold hands, while a man in orange and maroon robes with gold garlands stands among them. Colourful umbrellas, orange flags and a crowd on the bank fill the background, and a camera operator is visible at top right. Two bald men in the foreground, one in white with gold beads and one bare-chested with gold chains, reach toward the water.2016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09Devotees in white dhotis and gold-bordered shawls, with red and saffron garments, stand waist-deep in shallow water during a ritual bathing scene. In the foreground a figure with long dark hair bows forward with arms outstretched in the water, while two men in white flank them, one with a rudraksha mala and gold necklace. Other participants in red and saffron robes, gold and rudraksha necklaces, raise their arms and cheer, and a cameraman in the background films the event. Bright daylight and a crowd on the bank complete the scene.2016-05-09