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A crowd of devotees wades into a river at a shahi snan bathing ceremony under bright sunlight. In the centre, a long-haired sadhu with dreadlocks bends forward and dips his head into the water, his arms outstretched and gripping the hands of nearby devotees. Around him, men in white dhotis and orange or saffron cloths wear rudraksha and flower garlands, and women in white and maroon saris wear gold necklaces. Some hold red and green flags. Behind them, a decorated procession float with flower garlands and colourful flags stands on the bank.

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May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09A photograph of a Kumbh-style river bathing ceremony in shallow brown water under bright sky. In the foreground a figure with long matted dreadlocks, wearing a dark maroon garment with gold armbands, bends forward and dips their head into the water. Around them, devotees in saffron-orange robes with rudraksha and marigold garlands and in white dhotis reach out and stand in the river. Behind, sannyasis hold tall ceremonial flags in red, pink, green and white, and a decorated processional standard and ornate structure rise in the background. Several people hold trident-like staffs. The crowd is dense.2016-05-09Outdoor photo of a ritual bathing scene in shallow muddy water under bright sky. A central figure with long dark dreadlocks, wearing a maroon dhoti with a gold-trimmed shawl and gold bangles, bends forward and dips their head into the water. Around them, men and women in orange and saffron robes, white dhotis and rudraksha malas stand in the water and along the bank, many holding hands or raising arms. Some carry tall trident staffs, and colourful flags and a decorated float or chariot with flower garlands appear in the background. Crowd members hold cameras and phones.2016-05-09A photograph of a river ritual in shallow water. A central figure with long dreadlocked hair bent forward, wringing out the hair in the water, wears a dark maroon garment and gold armlets. Around them, devotees in saffron and orange robes and white dhotis wade in, many wearing rudraksha-style beaded necklaces and gold garlands, and some holding long staffs. Behind them stand people on the bank beneath tall ornate flags and a decorated structure with red and green banners. Several onlookers hold cameras.2016-05-09A photograph of a shahi snan style bathing procession in shallow brown water. In the centre, a bare-torsoed figure with long dark matted hair bends forward into the river, with a dark wrap and gold armlets. Around them, devotees in white dhotis and orange or saffron robes stand in the water, holding hands and raising arms; several wear gold-coloured necklaces and rudraksha-style malas. Behind them, colourful flags in red, pink, green and orange, a decorated palanquin or ratha top, and a crowd on the bank with umbrellas and a camera operator are visible.2016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09May 09th 20162016-05-09 +1 copiesA 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 20162016-05-09A photograph of a shahi snan style ritual bath in shallow water. A central figure in a dark maroon garment with long rudraksha malas and heavy gold necklaces bends forward as two attendants in white dhotis with gold borders press their hands on his head. Around them, many men in saffron and orange robes, white dhotis and gold chains stand in the water and crowd the banks, some holding long staffs. A cameraman films the scene at the upper centre, and a bystander at the right holds a rudraksha mala. The figure's identity is not established from the scene, and no printed caption appears.2016-05-09