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Photograph of a ceremonial boat reception on the Ganga at Varanasi. A central figure with long dark swept-back hair wears an orange-brown wrap, a long rudraksha mala and gold necklaces, raises one hand beneath a multicoloured ceremonial parasol and stands on a dark patterned rug scattered with flower petals. Attendants in saffron and orange robes flank him, several holding trishul staffs and golden ceremonial staffs. Women in white saris with orange shawls line the left side, pressing palms together, and a man in a white shirt stands at the back. Orange flags and a red boat with an Om symbol appear at right, with petals spread on a white cloth in the foreground.