Well, that communal wash house isn't that surprising for me as I see many of the people in our area doing so (mostly women). Not only the wash houses but the tube wells too, they are just surrounded with people having clothes to wash in the afternoon (in summer season).
Interesting location you visited...
Ah, my hat trick chance gone... Now I have to be consistent with correct answers for the next three months. (Not gonna power down ever. Lol)