Women at the Lakshmi Puja Festival celebrating Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Beauty, India

Woman carrying food offerings on her head, celebrating festival of Kuningan, Ubud village, island of Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Statue with flower offering, Odalan, ceremony, at Bataun temple, Bali, Indonesia, Asia

Woman with incense inside a temple, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, Indochina, Asia

Pilgrims praying at Golden Rock Temple (Kyaiktiyo Pagoda), Mon State, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Burning incense on religious holiday, Chinatown, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Young woman carrying offering at a ceremony in Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

A boy places offerings to the Buddha, Shwedagon Paya (Shwe Dagon pagoda), Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Image of Nefertari on left and God Thoth, Paintings and Relief, Tomb of Nefertari, QV66, Valley of the Queens, Ancient Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Image of Nefertari, Paintings and Relief, Tomb of Nefertari, QV66, Valley of the Queens, Ancient Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Pharaoh Seti I on right, Goddess Hathor on left, Bas Relief, Tomb of Seti I, KV17, Valley of the Kings, Ancient Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Hundreds of Jizo in rows, Buddha statues, Zen Buddhism, Yoshino, Nara, Honshu, Japan, Asia

Statues in Koya-san near Osaka, Wakayama Prefecture, Honshu, Japan, Asia

Tet Lunar New Year offerings of fruit and money at the Diem Huu Pagoda in Hanoi, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Wall Reliefs, Tomb of Rameses III, KV11, Valley of the Kings, Ancient Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Relief of Pharaoh on left and Egyptian God Ra, Tomb of Rameses III, KV11, Valley of the Kings, Ancient Thebes, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Traditional ceremony at a temple in Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Makha Bucha (Magha Puja) celebrations, monks pray under illuminated Buddha statue annually at Wat Phan Tao temple, Chiangmai, Thailand

Pink lotus flower candles symbolising human growth and development, at the Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Reliefs, Temple of Opet, Karnak Temple Complex, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Luxor, Egypt, North Africa, Africa

Tomb of Job, Old Testament holy man (prophet) for Jews, Christians and Muslims together, Dhofar, Sultanate of Oman, Arabian Peninsula

Flower offerings and a monk at the Buddhist Mahabodhi Mahabihara Temple (Great Stupa), Bodh Gaya, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bihar, India, Asia

Flower offerings and devotees in the Cloister Walk of the Buddhist Mahabodhi Mahabihara Temple (Great Stupa), Bodh Gaya, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bihar, India, Asia

Makha Bucha (Magha Puja) celebrations, monks pray under illuminated Buddha statue annually at Wat Phan Tao temple, Chiangmai, Thailand

Offerings and prayers to the temple deities, Asian woman praying, Guan Di Chinese Temple, Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Pink lotus flower candles symbolising human growth and development, at the Thean Hou Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Thien Quang Buddhist Pagoda, Vesak celebration, Birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, bathing infant Buddha to purify the heart, Tan Chau, Vietnam

Thien Quang Buddhist Pagoda, Vesak celebration, Birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha, bathing infant Buddha to purify the heart, Tan Chau, Vietnam

Thien Truc Buddhist Pagoda, Quan Am (Quanyin) (Bodhisattva of Compassion) (Goddess of Mercy), Bac Lieu, Vietnam

Pilgrims at Pushkar Lake at sunrise, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, South Asia, Asia

Hindu devotees taking part in the sacred ceremony of evening aati, adoration of the holy River Ganges, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Water offering at Tuesday Corner statue, Shwedagon Paya, Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Local women giving rice offering to Buddhist monks, early morning, Don Daeng island, Mekong River, Muang, near Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos

Voodoo ritual performed in Ouidah, Benin, West Africa, Africa

Mau Son Taoist temple, woman at Taoist ceremony, ritual of offerings, Sapa, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

A line of women at a ceremony for the ordination of Buddhist monks, Bagan (Pagan), Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Hawan (offering to fire god) at Karbi Anglong District Brahma Dharma Jyoti Mondir, Langhin Manikpur, Assam, India, Asia

Hawan (offering to fire god) at Karbi Anglong District Brahma Dharma Jyoti Mondir, Langhin Manikpur, Assam, India, Asia

Novice monk ceremony, Maung Sing, Laos, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Mau Son Taoist temple, woman at Taoist ceremony, ritual of offerings, Sapa, Vietnam, Indochina, Southeast Asia, Asia

Ceremony at Hindu Temple, Maheshwar, Madhya Pradesh state, India, Asia

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Fire ritual at chiwang monastery during the mani rimdu festival. these monks circumambulate the pyre after its ignition. one holds a long book wrapped in a felicitous scarf. the purifying fire takes the offering and raises them towards the sky in smoke. the circumambulatory ritual also recalls the way disciples showed respect for the buddhas body. solu khumbu, nepal

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Horse milk is sprinkled into the four directions, as offerings to the nature spirits of the area, the sadak, or ?owners Of the earth.? Sometimes vodka is used instead, or as well. Milk is sacred to the mongol shamans, who believe that life on earth is descended from beings who originally came here on winged horses. Here two young female shamans make the offering in a ritual manner. Countryside mongols make this offering every morning on waking up; they usually also offer smoke, that the wind carries around the world as a prayer for harmony and prosperity. 13th century national park, tov province, mongolia. 13th century national park comprises chinggis khan's giant statue museum and live museum "town from 13 century". The ancient nomadic mini kingdom is located in the distance of 130 km east of ulaanbaatar in area of erdene zuu of tov province. It takes 2 hours driving on paved road. In the live 13th century kingdom one will see and experience the authentic lifestyle of mongols, who were lived in powerful mongol empire?s Period. This place gives you a same feeling that famous traveler marco polo and william rubruck felt once upon time

Monks offer butter lamps prayer, kalachakra initiation, bodhgaya. India. Monks attending kalachakra initiation at mahaboudhi temple in bodhgaya, india. mahabodhi temple marks site of buddha’s enlightment twenty-five hundred years. centuries have made pilgrimages across himalayas to sites connected with life of historical buddha. From a tantric perspective, pilgrimage is more than paying homage at sacred sites. Rather, it is that activities performed at these places become a memory of place itself. By attuning oneself through ritual meditation to this timeless presence, similar experiences be evoked

N month of november 7 days before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They bring their precious herbs, minerals special animal glands to be blessed. A selected amount of herbs is placed in a copper vessel placed on monastery alter. 7 days amchis go through an elaborate potenization of these medicines through prayer other practices. Seen here is of amchis holding a dorje (sacred object used cutting through obscurations) which is lined from a vessel containing various herbs sitting on monastery alter to heart chakra. Chang tang nyee, ladakh, indi

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis making torma, a ritual food offering. India

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis making torma, a ritual food offering. India

In month of november before full moon a sacred ceremony is held in various monasteries throughout himalayas by traditional healers known as amchis. They call down spiritual deities to bless medicine. Amchis performing puja at potenization ceremony. Amchis performing rituals during potenization ceremony. India

Caucasian baby boy being baptized

Caucasian baby girl being baptized

Invocations to the fortune at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Offerings, in Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Every night, Nightly puja on Dashaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Men praying, in the Ghat of Yamuna river, Vrindavan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India

Woman making offering, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Wishing plates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

Pilgrims making a ritual offering and praying, ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Every night, Nightly puja on Dashaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Wishing plates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

Pilgrims making a ritual offering and praying, ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Wishing plates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha sanctuary,Kyoto, Japan

A man praying, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrims making a ritual offering, and praying, ghats in Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrim making a ritual offering and praying, ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Every night, Nightly puja on Dashaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Pilgrims praying, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Religious statue and donation at Popa Taung Kalat Temple, Mount Popa, near Bagan, Myanmar, (Burma)

Pilgrims making a ritual offering, and praying, ghats in Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Pilgrims praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Persons praying, Monks statue, in Wat Phra Singh temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pilgrims making a ritual offering, and praying, ghats in Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Every night, Nightly puja on Dashaswamedh Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

Men praying and bathing, in the ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Donation to monks, Wat Suan Dok temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Daibutsu (bronze Great Buddha). Kotoku-in Temple, Kamakura, Japan

Pilgrims making a ritual offering and praying, ghats of Ganges river, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Believers praying, in Wat Phra Singh temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Woman Whisking Herbal Tea in Bowl

Japanese Woman Holding Bowl of Herbal Tea

Woman Holding Tea Bowl

Woman Preparing Herbal Tea

pilgrims burn incense sticks and candles, main hall, fire, red, Wannian monastery and temple, China, Asia, World Heritage Site, UNESCO

pilgrims burn incense sticks and candles, main hall, fire, red, Wannian monastery and temple, China, Asia, World Heritage Site, UNESCO

bundles of hell money to burn as offering, to be spent in the afterlife, China, Asia

Ema prayer board in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan.

Fragrant Cloud Pavilion, praying pilgrims and tourists, Buddhist Island of Putuo Shan near Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, East China Sea, China, Asia

Porter, incense burner, Tianchi Monastery, Bodhisvattva Kshitigarbha, Jiuhuashan, Mount Jiuhua, mountain of nine flowers, Jiuhua Shan, Anhui province, China, Asia

Puji Si, praying pilgrims and tourists, Buddhist Island of Putuo Shan near Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, East China Sea, China, Asia

prayer service in Qiyuan Monastery with high ranking monks, Jiuhua Shan Village, Zhiyuan Monastery, Jiuhuashan, Mount Jiuhua, mountain of nine flowers, Anhui province, China, Asia

prayer service in Qiyuan Monastery with high ranking monks, Jiuhua Shan Village, Zhiyuan Monastery, Jiuhuashan, Mount Jiuhua, mountain of nine flowers, Anhui province, China, Asia