Abu Al-Fadhil-al-Abbas mosque, Kerbala, Iraq, Middle East

Two rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome chrysocome), Sea Lion Islands, Falkland Islands, Atlantic, South America

Fresco depicting the Buddha with followers in Wat Chiang Mun, Chiang Mai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Asia

Painting of Abraham and his followers fighting, St. Savin Abbey, Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, Vienne, France, Europe

Painting of kings attacked by Abraham and his followers, St. Savin Abbey, Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, Vienne, France, Europe

Monks at Joranda Gadhi, a temple complex devoted to the Supreme Lord for followers of Mahima dharma, Dhenkanal, Odisha, India, Asia

Monk, follower of Mahima Dharma sect, wearing orange loincloth carrying brass pots of water into the temple at sunset, Joranda, Orissa, India, Asia

Worshippers at Joranda Gadhi, a temple complex devoted to the Supreme Lord for followers of Mahima dharma, Dhenkanal, Odisha, India, Asia

Cao Dai temple, Caodaist worshippers at ceremony, meditating followers of the Cao Dai religion, Tan Chau, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Sri Lankan Buddhist visitors at Dhamakh Stupa at Sarnath ruins near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Buddhist monks pass prayer flags at Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple at Sarnath near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Buddhist monk praying as he walks around Dhamakh Stupa at Sarnath ruins near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Buddhist monks visiting Dharmarajika Stupa at Sarnath ruins near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Penitents holding cross made with flowers, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Good Friday procession, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Good Friday procession, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Buddhist monk at Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Priest carries Blessed Sacrament in Corpus Christi catholic traditional Benediction ceremony in Clifden, County Galway, Ireland

Indian man and woman walking along Rana Mahal Ghat by the Ganges River in City of Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Lighted candles offering Buddhist prayers at Dharmarajika Stupa at Sarnath near Varanasi, Northern India

Buddhist visitors applying gold leaf as traditional offering at Dhamakh Stupa at Sarnath ruins near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Buddhist monk passes prayer flags at Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple at Sarnath near Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Legion of Mary followers, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

Trulshig rinpoche, blesses. Tulshig rinpoche blesses. Tulshig rimpoche s followers believe that he, like many other lamas, reassumes a human body after death in order to return to disciples. previous incarnation of tulshig rimpoche spent several years at dzarongpu monastery (highest monastery in world located at 16,500’ within sight of northern side of mt everest) served as of ngawong tenzin teachers. He promised to return in next life, so at tulshig s death ngawong tenzin norbu sought found reincarnation. current tulshig rimpoche then came to monastery studied with ngawong tenzin norbu. relationship between teacher student, in which a teacher returns to study from former student, maintains lineage over generations. Bhutan

Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhus religious sectarian affiliations range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving entire face. Vertical design of this sadhus tilaka shows to be a vaishnava, or follower of vishnu, preserver of universe. He is a benevolent gentle. gentility is reflected in worshippers devotess. application of a tilaka is usually done at start of each after bathing as a to sanctify body prepare it to receive divine. India

A traditional Hindu village festival near Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

Falungong (Falun Dafa) follower, jacket detail, Geoje-Do, South Korea, Asia

England football fans celebrate a goal in the World Cup

England football fans celebrate a goal in the World Cup

Praying, ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Praying, ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Lucha Libre. After the show. A follower is photographed with cholitas fighters. Down Julieta, Celia la Simpatica, and Dina with blue dress , cholitas females wrestlers ,Sports center La Ceja, El Alto, La Paz, Bolivia

Lucha Libre. After the show. A follower is photographed with cholitas fighters. At left Julieta, in the middle Celia la Simpatica, and Dina , cholitas females wrestlers ,Sports center La Ceja, El Alto, La Paz, Bolivia

ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Praying, statue of A. C. Bhakivedanta Swami Prabhupada the founder of hare Krishna movement, in ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Group of women praying, in ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Believers speaking, in ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Followers of the Christian sect of Fifohazana, sunday mass, Soatanana village, Madagascar

Followers of the Christian sect of Fifohazana, sunday mass, Soatanana village, Madagascar

Followers of the Christian sect of Fifohazana, sunday mass, Soatanana village, Madagascar

Praying, ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Followers of the Christian sect of Fifohazana, sunday mass, Soatanana village, Madagascar

Group of women praying, in ISKCON temple, Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir,Vrindavan,Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Detail shot of a Chinese, decorative key chain. Bali, Indonesia.

Tractor on the beach with trailer for kite buggies- Omaha Beach, Calvados, France.

Prayers and offering from religious followers, Azure Clouds Temple, Mount Tai, Tai Shan, Shandong province, World Heritage, UNESCO, China

Yamabushi follower, mountain ascetics, Buddhist sect, priest invoking the deity at the fire, Iwakura, Japan, East Asia, Asia

Mass event at Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple, followers holding pictures with Buddha images, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani, Bangkok, Thailand, Asia *** IMPORTANT: Image must not be used in a negative context with the Dhammakaya temple ***

Yamabushi followers, mountain ascetics, Buddhist sect, pushing cedar branches off the fire with bamboo poles, Iwakura, Japan, East Asia, Asia

Agios Neofytos Monastery, Paphos, Cyprus Island, Greece, Europe

Agios Neofytos Monastery, Paphos, Cyprus Island, Greece, Europe

Every Friday dervishes gather an hour before sunset in front of Sheikh Hamed al-Nil tomb in Omdurman, Sudan to perform a ritual called Zikr (Dhikr). The ceremony starts chanting words of gratitude to the Prophet Mohammed. The audience interacts with the chanters, dancing to the rhythms of the percussion instruments. The dervishes start whirling around. The music, the fragrance of burning incense, the endless repetition of religious chants creates a state of ecstasy, a kind of trance in which human soul is believed to communicate directly with God.

Mayan indian religous men at Easter Procession in Antigua.

Every Friday dervishes gather an hour before sunset in front of Sheikh Hamed al-Nil tomb in Omdurman, Sudan to perform a ritual called Zikr (Dhikr). The ceremony starts chanting words of gratitude to the Prophet Mohammed. The audience interacts with the chanters, dancing to the rhythms of the percussion instruments. The dervishes start whirling around. The music, the fragrance of burning incense, the endless repetition of religious chants creates a state of ecstasy, a kind of trance in which human soul is believed to communicate directly with God.

Fresco, Holy Dormition Cathedral, The Holy Trinity Saint Serguis Lavra, Sergiev Posad, Sergiyevo-Posadsky District, Moscow Oblast, Russia

Young Disabled Woman Sitting Beside Her Wheelchair In A City Park In Autumn, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fresco, Holy Formation Cathedral, Trinity Sergius Lavra Monastery complex; Sergiev Posad, Moscow Oblast, Russia

Fresco in the Church of St John the Baptist; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Frescoes, New St George Church, 1705, Old Town Bucharest; Bucharest, Romania

Interior Fresco, St George Church Mirauti, 1375; Suceava, Suceava County, Romania

Interior Fresco, St George Church Mirauti, 1375; Suceava, Suceava County, Romania

Fresco, Gate Church of the Resurrection (1670), Kremlin, Golden Ring; Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, Miracle-Image of the Saviour Church, Kremlin, Golden Ring; Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, Gate Church of the Resurrection (1670), Kremlin, Golden Ring; Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Church of Elijah the Prophet, with colourful frescoes on the walls depicting Biblical scenes; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, Transfiguration Cathedral, Monastery of St Euthymius; Suzdal, Vladimir Oblast, Russia

Three African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) cross rocky pan, Etosha National Park; Otavi, Oshikoto, Namibia

Church of Elijah the Prophet, with ornate arched doorways and colourful frescoes; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco in the Church of St John the Baptist; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, Holy Trinity Cathedral, founded in 1902; Sibiu, Transylvania Region, Romania

Statues Of Jesus Christ On The Cross And Followers At The Foot Of The Cross, County Kerry, Ireland

Interior Fresco, St George Church Mirauti, 1375; Suceava, Suceava County, Romania

Fresco, Gate-Church of the Resurrection (1670), Kremlin, Golden Ring; Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco in the Church of St John the Baptist; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Three African bush elephants (Loxodonta africana) cross rocky pan, Etosha National Park; Otavi, Oshikoto, Namibia

Crowd Gathers Around Jesus

Interior Fresco, St George Church Mirauti, 1375; Suceava, Suceava County, Romania

Interior fresco, Church of the Holy Cross, 1487; Patrauti, Suceava County, Romania

Fresco, The Resurrection Church on the Debra; Kostroma, Kostroma Oblast, Russia

Church of Elijah the Prophet, with colourful frescoes on the walls depicting Biblical scenes; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Interior fresco, Church of the Holy Cross, 1487; Patrauti, Suceava County, Romania

Church of Elijah the Prophet, with colourful frescoes on the walls depicting Biblical scenes; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco in the Church of St John the Baptist; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, Holy Formation Cathedral, Trinity Sergius Lavra Monastery complex; Sergiev Posad, Moscow Oblast, Russia

Jesus Rides On A Colt

Elephants Walking In A Row, Samburu, Kenya

Interior Fresco, Cathedral of the Nativity (1222), Kremlin; Suzdal, Vladimir Oblast, Russia

Cross With Paintings Depicting The Life Of Jesus At Khor Virap Monastery, Ararat Province, Armenia

Female cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) crosses grassland with two cubs, Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp, Serengeti National Park; Tanzania

American Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) flying in a V formation, Celestun Biosphere Reserve, Celestun, Yucatan, Mexico

Fresco, Troitse-Sergiyev Varnitskiy Monastery, near Rostov Veliky, Golden Ring; Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Church of Elijah the Prophet, with ornate arched doorway and colourful frescoes; Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia

Fresco, The Resurrection Church on the Debra; Kostroma, Kostroma Oblast, Russia

Jesus With A Close Group Of People

Thanksgiving plaques on a shrine at the Difunta Correa Sanctuary, Vallecito, San Juan, Argentina. La Difunta Correa is the most popular of Argentina's folk saints. She was a woman whose husband was forcibly recruited around the year 1840, during the Argentine civil wars. Becoming sick, he was then abandoned by partisans. In an attempt to reach her sick husband, Deolinda took her baby and followed the tracks of the partisans through the desert of San Juan Province. When her supplies ran out, she died. Her body was found days later by gauchos, however they found the baby still alive, feeding from the deceased woman's miraculously ever-full breast. Once the folk tale became known, her devout followers believe her to perform miracles and intercede for the living. Cattle keepers and truck drivers create small altars throughout Argentina and leave bottles of water as votive offerings.

Thanksgiving plaques on a shrine at the Difunta Correa Sanctuary, Vallecito, San Juan, Argentina. La Difunta Correa is the most popular of Argentina's folk saints. She was a woman whose husband was forcibly recruited around the year 1840, during the Argentine civil wars. Becoming sick, he was then abandoned by partisans. In an attempt to reach her sick husband, Deolinda took her baby and followed the tracks of the partisans through the desert of San Juan Province. When her supplies ran out, she died. Her body was found days later by gauchos, however they found the baby still alive, feeding from the deceased woman's miraculously ever-full breast. Once the folk tale became known, her devout followers believe her to perform miracles and intercede for the living. Cattle keepers and truck drivers create small altars throughout Argentina and leave bottles of water as votive offerings.

Evening procession carrying Shiva to bedroom of Meenakshi, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Brahmin blessing a baby, held in his mothers arms, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India,

Evening procession carrying Shiva to bedroom of Meenakshi, Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India