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A photograph of a crowded tent at a Kumbh Mela setting where people are performing an aarti with lit flames on metal plates. In the foreground, a man in a cream kurta holds a silver plate with a burning flame and a woman wrapped in a patterned shawl stands beside him. Behind them, a man in a red shirt bends forward offering a flaming plate, and along a row of white tables seated sadhus in orange robes and orange head cloths, some wearing marigold garlands, receive the flames with folded hands. A bald man in orange robes with a rudraksha mala stands at right, and bottled water sits on the table. Onlookers stand behind a green bamboo barrier. The scene is a ritual aarti offering to sadhus.

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A photograph at a Kumbh Mela tent event of a row of tables holding brass plates with lit oil lamps and flames. A man in cream kurta in the left foreground holds a steel tray of burning flame, and a man in red robe bends over a lamp at center. Seated women in orange saris with marigold garlands fold their hands in prayer at right, and saffron-robed sadhus and sannyasis stand along the tent. A man in a white shirt in the background raises a phone. A printed2013-02-15A crowded tent interior at a Kumbh Mela-style gathering where saffron-robed sadhus and sannyasis sit in rows at white-covered tables. Several people hold round metal trays with lit oil lamps, extending them forward. In the foreground a white-haired elderly woman in a floral shawl reaches toward a flaming tray, while a man in cream kurta and glasses tends another lamp. A woman in an orange-and-marigold garland sits near the front, with a shaved-headed sadhu in orange wearing marigold garlands beside her. On the right, a bald priest in orange robes and beaded rudraksha malas stands by the tent pole, and a water bottle sits on a table. Several people in the background wear orange and red clothing.2013-02-15Outdoor ritual gathering at a Kumbh Mela-style camp with a tent-like canopy. A man in a red shirt with a yellow forehead tilak leans forward holding a silver plate with a flaming oil lamp, serving others. Seated on the right, a shaved-headed sannyasi in orange robes with marigold garlands sits at a low table with lit lamps on steel plates. Nearby, a woman in an orange sari with marigold garlands folds her hands. Several saffron-robed sadhus and devotees in orange and white stand and sit behind, with a crowd beyond the barrier. Water bottles and matchbox sit on the tables. A plate in the foreground holds a lit lamp and scattered offerings.2013-02-15 +2 copiesA photograph of a crowded tented gathering at a Kumbh Mela setting where people are holding and offering lit oil lamps on metal trays. In the foreground a man in a cream kurta holds a silver tray with a lit flame while a woman in a dark shawl stands beside him. A man in a red kurta with a yellow tilak bends over a row of low tables, placing another lit tray, and a woman in an orange sari with marigold garlands sits with palms pressed together. Saffron-robed sadhus and white-clad devotees line the background, with a few other people watching and photographing. This appears to be a ritual lamp offering (aarti) among saints and devotees.2013-02-15February 15 20132013-02-15February 15 20132013-02-15A photo from a Shuddhadvaitam ritual camp with a row of devotees holding brass plates and oil lamps while seated behind low gold-patterned puja tables. On the right, a woman in a saffron-orange sari and turban with a white flower garland sits cross-legged, smiling, and a saffron-robed sadhu nearby tends a lamp. On the left, an elderly man in white with a red tilak and a woman in red and orange sari hold offerings; a man in white shirt with an ID lanyard carries a silver plate. Red draped walls and orange-robed participants fill the background, with many oil lamps lit along the tables.2016-05-06A crowded indoor tent during a serving line of food offerings. In the foreground a man in a cream kurta and glasses leans forward, and a woman in a brown shawl stands at the left edge with her hands together. At center a man in a red shirt and orange dhoti bends over a long table, placing food onto steel plates. Seated at the lower right, a woman with a marigold garland wears orange robes. Behind the tables, several saffron-robed sadhus and a bald child in orange cloth sit along the rows, with marigold garlands around some necks. A metal railing and a crowd of onlookers in the background, some in orange and yellow clothing, complete the scene. Steel plates with marigold petals and small offerings sit on the tables.2013-02-15February 15 20132013-02-15February 15 20132013-02-15Photograph of an outdoor initiation or puja camp with a long row of brass plates on a low platform, each holding a lit oil lamp and flower garlands. A figure in an orange-red turban with long swept-back dark hair and orange robes. Saffron-robed sannyasis and white-clad attendants surround the row, and a photographer stands at right. Red and white bunting and marigold garlands decorate the enclosure.2016-05-06Outdoor serving line at a Kumbh Mela setting where devotees and saffron-clad sadhus gather at white tables. A man in a cream kurta on the left holds a steel plate; a man in a red jacket with an orange shoulder cloth bends over a steel plate, sprinkling or taking offerings. A woman in a brown sari and marigold garland sits in the foreground, with orange marigold petals heaped on white trays and steel plates. Behind them, sadhus in orange robes and orange head wraps reach toward the trays; a bald monk in orange sits at the table center. Bamboo poles with green cloth and plastic water bottles are visible.2013-02-15