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A photograph of a shahi snaan at a river ghat during a Kumbh Mela event. In the center, a man with long dreadlocked hair and a gold necklace wades waist-deep in water with his arms raised, a devotee in a dark maroon cloth beside him. Around him, sadhus and devotees in maroon, orange and white robes, many with rudraksha malas and garlands, stand in the shallows with hands folded. A crowd of onlookers with red and saffron flags and many photographers packs the riverbank behind them. The scene is crowded with dozens of visible people.

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A large crowd gathers at a river bathing ghat during a sacred bathing ritual. In the foreground, a bare-chested man with long dark dreadlocks and a gold necklace bends forward into the water, hands pressed together, as others stand waist-deep nearby. Around him, several people in saffron and orange robes, white dhotis and rudraksha malas stand in the water, some holding brass vessels. Behind them, a dense crowd of photographers and devotees lines the bank, many waving red and orange flags. Several people hold pots and offerings, and the water reflects the crowd's movement.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd of devotees gathers on a riverbank at a Kumbh Mela shahi snan. In the centre, a man stands waist-deep in water in a dark maroon dhoti-style cloth, wringing out long dark hair with both raised hands, wearing layered gold necklaces and bangles. Around him, many people in white dhotis and saffron or maroon shawls, adorned with rudraksha-style beaded garlands, stand in the water holding tall silver staffs. Behind them, a dense crowd with red and orange flags, umbrellas and many photographers with cameras watches. Dozens of people are visible, mostly in the water and on the bank.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A large crowd gathers on the bank and in the water of a river at the Ujjain Kumbh Mela. In the centre, a figure with long, matted dreadlocks and a maroon dhoti, wearing heavy gold necklaces, bends forward in the water with hands near the surface. Around him, men and women in white dhotis and rudraksha malas stand waist-deep, some in saffron and orange saris. Red flags and saffron banners rise above the crowd, and many people hold cameras and phones. A trident-topped ritual object is raised among the devotees, and a kalasha-like vessel appears near the left.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21A 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.2016-05-21A large crowd gathers around a river or tank where ascetic devotees bathe waist-deep in water during a ritual snan. In the centre, a bare-chested man in a red-maroon dhoti stands under a stream of water poured from a vessel held by an attendant, wearing heavy gold necklaces. Nearby, a figure with long dark hair and a saffron-orange cloth and gold garlands stands in the water. Other bathers wear white dhotis, red and saffron shawls and rudraksha malas. Many people in the background hold cameras and red-saffron flags. Several onlookers in yellow and white stand on the bank.2016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21May 21 20162016-05-21