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A large crowd stands waist-deep in a river during a ritual bath, with many people holding up red and orange flags and some raising hands in devotion. At the centre, a man with a shaved head and dark sunglasses stands in the water wearing a rust-red dhoti, an orange shawl, a thick gold chain necklace and a long rudraksha-style mala, with gold armbands. Around him, men and women in white and saffron robes, several with garlands and rudraksha malas, press close while photographers with cameras surround them on the banks. A man on the right holds up a brass-colored staff. The scene shows a shahi snaan bathing ritual with a densely packed ceremonial crowd.

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A large crowd gathers at a river bank during a sacred bathing ritual. In the centre, a man with long dark hair and a red-orange garment stands waist-deep in water with palms pressed together above his head, wearing a heavy gold necklace and gold armbands. Around him, devotees in white and saffron-red robes, many with sandalwood and vibhuti forehead marks and rudraksha malas, stand in the water with hands folded. Behind them, a dense mass of onlookers and press photographers with cameras fills the frame, and red and saffron flags are visible above the crowd. The scene appears to be a shahi snan style bathing rite.2016-05-21A photograph of a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan at a river ghat, with a large crowd standing waist-deep in water. At the centre, a bare-chested man with long swept-back hair, gold ceremonial necklaces and a rudraksha-style mala stands in red-orange ochre cloth, hands raised in namaste above his head. Around him, devotees in white and orange garments and ash-marked foreheads press close, many with palms joined, while photographers and onlookers line the banks behind them.2016-05-21A large crowd bathes in a river at the Ujjain Kumbh Mela, with many people standing waist-deep in water. In the centre a man in a deep red-brown dhoti and shawl, with a gold ornate necklace and bangles, stands in the water with his hands held out, a sacred ash mark on his forehead. Around him devotees in white and orange garments, some with rudraksha malas, press forward, and people in folded palms gesture in devotion. Red and saffron flags rise above the crowd and photographers with cameras line the edge. Dense crowd fills the background.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers in a river, with a central figure standing waist-deep in water and raising both hands in greeting. He wears a red-orange dhoti and shawl, a heavy gold necklace and bracelets, and has white tilak marks on his forehead and a chest band. Around him, many devotees in orange, red and white robes, some with rudraksha malas and garlands, stand in the water with palms joined or raised. Photographers and cameramen fill the bank and foreground, and a vertical metal staff is visible at the left edge. The scene suggests a sacred bath during a Kumbh gathering.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd of devotees and photographers stands in shallow river water at a Kumbh Mela shahi snaan. In the centre, a man with long dark curly hair wears a dark maroon-brown cloth, heavy gold necklaces and gold armlets, and extends his arm forward while another man in white with a grey beard stands beside him. Around them, devotees in white dhotis, saffron and maroon garments and rudraksha malas wade in the water, while others hold red and orange flags above the crowd. A woman in a cream sari with gold jewellery holds a silver staff upright in the water. Many people raise cameras. a person candidate appearance is uncertain; he is shown as a participant in the holy dip.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A photograph of a large crowd gathered at a river bathing ghat during a ritual immersion. In the centre, a man stands waist-deep in water with his hands cupped in front of him, wearing maroon and red-brown silk garments, gold necklaces and bangles, and a dark wrap across his shoulder. Around him, many people in white dhotis, orange and saffron cloth and rudraksha malas stand in the water and along the banks, some with hands folded in prayer. Several people hold brass or silver ceremonial staffs and kalasha-style items. Red flags and dense photographers with cameras fill the background.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21