Woman selling marigold mala (garlands), pictures of Hindu deities, agarbathi (joss sticks) and rolimoli temple threads from stall at Sonepur Cattle Fair, near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Vishnaivite holy man sitting cross legged, preparing for morning puja, applying sandalwood tilaks on forehead and arms, wearing simple white dhoti and sacred Hindu string, Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Elephant being washed by mahout in the waters of the holy River Ganges, Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Wooden ferryboats with bamboo decking used to take people across the River Ganges between Patna and Sonepur Cattle Fair, Bihar, India, Asia

Bihari woman lays out a puja prayer on the banks of the Ganges where an elephant is being washed by mahouts, Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Bihari villager, a Vishnaivite devotee with tilak on his forehead indicating the Hindu god Vishnu, wearing orange clothing for visit to the Vishnu temple at Sonepur Cattle Fair, near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

White cows, decorated for sale at the annual Sonepur Cattle Fair near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Elephant being washed by mahout in the waters of the holy River Ganges, Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Woman buying bangles (churidar) from stall at Sonepur Cattle Fair, near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Women performing morning puja in the crowds gathered on the banks of the holy river Ganges at the Sonepur Cattle Fair, near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

People crossing the River Ganges in the morning from Patna to the busy Sonepur Cattle Fair, Bihar, India, Asia

Entrance to Joranda Gadhi monastery worshipping the supreme lord where Joranda, Natima and Patna villages meet, Odisha, India, Asia

Bihari farmers and cattle owners resting on wooden cart, with their white cows decorated for sale at the annual Sonepur Cattle fair, near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Two white cows, decorated with cloth and bells, for sale at the annual Sonepur Cattle Fair near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Villagers making their way to the annual Sonepur Cattle Fair near Patna, Bihar, India, Asia

Granary built in the 18th century, Patna, Bihar state, India, Asia

Rickshaw driver, Patna, Bihar, India

Auto rickshaw on the Mahatma Gandhi Seti (Bridge), Patna, Bihar, India

Auto rickshaw on the Mahatma Gandhi Seti (Bridge), Patna, Bihar, India

Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib Sikh holy book, Patna, India

Continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib Sikh holy book, Patna, India