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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/ganges4.jpgHindu devotees wash themselves on the banks of the Ganges. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N12.jpgSadhu, or a Hindu holy man, performs morning prayers on the banks of the river Ganges ahead of the festival. During the festival, Hindus take part in a religious gathering on the banks of the river Ganges. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N11.jpgA Hindu priest holds an oil lamp as he performs evening prayers near the banks of river Ganges. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N9.jpgA Hindu devotee holds a prayer bead on the banks of the river Ganges ahead of the festival. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N2.jpgA Hindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Ganges river as people gather ahead of the festival. The Kumbh Mela alternates between the cities of Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty
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Bathing
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N4.jpgHindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Ganges river as people gather ahead of the festival. The Maha Kumbh Mela celebrated at the holy site of Sangam in Allahabad, is the largest and holiest, celebrated over 55 days, it is expected to attract over 100 million people. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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Bathing
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N1.jpgA Sadhu blows a conch shell as other Sadhus or Hindu holy men bathe on the banks of the Ganges river as people gather ahead of the festival. The Maha Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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Bathing
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N7.jpgHindu devotees bathe on the banks of the Ganges river as people gather for the Maha Kumbh Mela on Allahabad, India. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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Bathing
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/n6.jpgA Sadhu or Hindu holy man dries off his dreadlocks after having bathed in the holy Ganges river. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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Bathing
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/N5.jpgA Hindu devotee holds out a saree to dry after having bathed on the banks of the Ganges river ahead of the festival. Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/ganges12.jpgHindu devotees pray at the festival. Photograph: Ahmad Masood/Reuters
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Praying
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/01/ganges11.jpgHindu devotees pray as they attend the first 'Shahi Snan' or 'grand bath' of the festival. Photograph: AhmadMasood/Reuters
