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Photograph of a large crowd gathered on a riverbank for a ritual bath at a Kumbh Mela-style event. In the centre, a man with short dark hair and a broad smile wades into the water, wearing a maroon-red cloth, heavy gold necklaces, gold bangles and a gold armband, his hands spread over the water. Around him, many people in white and saffron dhotis and shawls, rudraksha malas and gold chains stand waist-deep in the river. Several hold silver staffs or ceremonial rods. Behind them, a dense crowd of devotees, photographers and attendants holds red and saffron flags, with trees and tents visible in the background. Identity of the central figure is uncertain from appearance alone.

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May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers at a riverbank during a ritual bathing event, with a man in the foreground wading into the water wearing a maroon-brown dhoti-style cloth, a heavy gold necklace, a gold armband and bangles. Behind him, devotees in white and maroon sacred cloths, many wearing rudraksha and gold garlands, stand in the water holding a silver trident. Red flags, umbrellas and a red-and-gold ratha-style structure appear in the background among photographers and onlookers.2016-05-21Outdoor river bathing scene in shallow water with a large crowd gathered on the banks, many holding up phones and cameras and red and saffron flags visible above. In the foreground a smiling man with short dark hair, wearing a maroon-red cloth, bangles on both wrists, and heavy gold necklaces, holds a long silver trident upright in the water, with splashing water around it. Around him many devotees stand waist-deep in white and cream dhotis and shawls with gold-and-beaded garlands, and women in white and red saris also wade in. A bare-chested man in the middle background and a long-haired figure in a red robe behind the trident are also visible. Some people wear saffron and orange sashes. Trees and a tent-like canopy appear in the background. Watermarked archive photo; ritual bathing with a trident.2016-05-21Large crowd gathered on a riverbank for a ritual bathing procession. In the foreground a bare-chested man with long dark hair stands waist-deep in water, wearing a maroon cloth, heavy gold necklaces and gold armbands, and smiling. Behind him, devotees in white and saffron garments with rudraksha-style garlands wade into the water, many holding tall trishul staffs and red flags. Onlookers line the shore, some holding cameras. Concrete buildings and utility poles are visible in the background. The scene suggests a Kumbh snan.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21Large crowd bathing in a river at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. In the foreground a bare-chested man in a maroon dhoti with heavy gold necklaces and gold armlets stands waist-deep in water, smiling. Behind him devotees in white and maroon dhotis with rudraksha malas hold their hands in anjali, and a figure holds a silver trident. Many onlookers on the bank hold up cameras and phones. Red flags and saffron-clad participants are visible in the background.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a shahi snaan bathing scene in shallow river water, with a large crowd lining the banks and filling the background. In the centre, a man with long swept-back dark hair wears a maroon sleeveless top, heavy gold necklaces, gold bangles and armlets, and stretches his arms outward while standing waist-deep. To the right, a man in white dhoti and a red shawl with a gold chain stands in the water, and several devotees in white and saffron clothing and rudraksha-style garlands gather around. A trident-topped staff with a silver finial is visible at the right edge, and red flags and saffron banners appear above the crowd.2016-05-21