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A large outdoor crowd of many hundreds of devotees surrounds a river where a group stands waist-deep in water during a ritual bathing scene. Many people wear white dhotis and saffron or maroon garments with rudraksha malas. Red and orange flags rise above the crowd, and numerous photographers hold cameras. In the centre, a figure with long dark dreadlocked hair is submerged or bent forward in the water while others around them, some in white and saffron, raise their hands and clap. A man in white with a long garland stands nearby, and a bald man in white at right holds a brass pot-like object. The scene conveys a shahi snaan-style river bath.

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A large crowd gathers at a riverbank during a shahi snaan bathing ceremony. In the foreground a figure with long matted dreadlocks is submerged in shallow water, facing a group of men and women standing waist-deep around them. Several men wear white dhotis with rudraksha malas and gold-coloured garlands, and some wear maroon or rust-coloured shawls. Behind them a dense crowd holds up red and orange flags and many people raise cameras and phones. One man at left holds a long white staff. The scene is outdoors in bright daylight with trees behind the crowd.2016-05-21A large crowd gathers in shallow river water during a ritual bathing scene, with many participants wearing white dhotis and maroon or saffron shawls and bead necklaces. In the centre, a man with long dreadlocked hair bends forward in the water, while nearby a man in a white shawl and a woman in red and gold clothing raise their arms and smile. Red and saffron flags rise above the crowd, and many photographers with cameras press in from behind.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers around a river or bathing area at a Kumbh Mela style sacred bathing event. In the center, a figure with long matted dreadlocks is bent forward in the water, immersed with hands raised, surrounded by men and women in white and saffron-brown dhotis and clothes, with gold and bead malas around their necks. Several people in the water raise their hands and look toward the devotee, while many spectators on the bank hold up cameras and phones. Red and orange flags fly above the crowd, and a few people in white ritual attire stand near the water's edge.2016-05-21A large crowd of devotees gathers around a long-haired sadhu wading into a river, his back to the camera, with dreadlocks hanging down his back and wrists adorned with gold bangles. Around him, men in white dhotis with rudraksha malas and maroon shawls stand in the water, some with arms raised, and a man in a white cloth to the left holds a long silver staff. Behind them, a dense crowd of onlookers and photographers with cameras fills the bank, many waving red and orange flags. The scene suggests a river bathing ritual with devotees in ceremonial dress.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21Large crowd gathered on the bank and in shallow river water at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. Central foreground, a long-haired figure with dreadlocks stands waist-deep facing away from camera, hands raised toward a group of white-robed and saffron-clad sadhus and devotees wearing rudraksha malas and gold necklaces. Several men in white dhotis and saffron robes stand in water around them. Behind, many spectators hold up phones and cameras, and red and orange flags, umbrellas and a decorated canopy rise above the crowd. A large printed banner with a portrait is visible at upper left.2016-05-21A large crowd gathers waist-deep in a river for a ritual bath at the Ujjain Kumbh Mela. In the centre, a long-haired figure with dreadlocks and bare back stands facing away in the water, with arms bent at the elbows and a bangle on the wrist. Around them, men in white dhotis and rudraksha malas and women in white and red saris, some with gold necklaces, hold up hands and raise trishul-tipped staffs. Many devotees wave red and saffron flags along the riverbank and on the sides, with a canopy and tents visible behind the crowd.2016-05-21