Nepalese girls (possibly sisters) enjoying orange ice lollies in rural Nepal.

Young boy shopkeeper in a fruit and vegetables shop in Patan, Nepal. He has old-fashioned scales for weighing the produce.

Local grey-haired woman laughing in Nepal

Woman at wooden carved decorated window, Patan, Nepal

Man and boy carrying heavy pots on shoulder hoists, Patan, Nepal

Buddhist worshipper with prayer wheels at Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Nepalese traditional dance, Festival of Nepal, Grande Pagode de Vincennes, Paris, France, Europe

A Sherpa working at Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Region, Nepal, Asia

An historic Newari farmhouse in the traditional village of Nuwakot, Langtang Region, Nepal, Asia

Nepali women working in tea houses in the Everest region, Nepal, Asia

A Sherpa near Dingboche hauling gear to Everest Base Camp for the climbing expeditions stops for a quick rest, Khumbu Region, Nepal, Asia

A little girl with a weathered face from the village of Khumjung in the Everest region, Nepal, Asia

Children from a small village called Kalikot smile for the camera, Karnali District, Nepal, Asia

Yaks, the beasts of burden in the Himalaya, on their way to Everest Base Camp, Khumbu Region, Nepal, Asia

Pack horses on their way down cross a wire bridge, Tzum Valley, Nepal, Asia

A girl collects fodder to feed the animals, Manaslu Region, Nepal, Asia

Young Nepalese women working in an open Tailor shop in Bandipur, Tanahun district, Nepal, Asia

Nepalese woman of the Tharu ethnic group, portrait, Chitwan, Nepal, Asia

Nepalese Farmer carrying a full load of branches on his back, Dhampus Mountain village, Nepal, Asia

Nepalese woman of the Tharu ethnic group, portrait, Chitwan, Nepal, Asia

Man rowing a boat carrying a woman and some cargo in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal. Behind is the Annapurna range of mountains.

A close-up of an ornate metal bell decorated with dragon-like creatures and suspended in an arch by two metal chains decorated with lizards in Patan, Nepal.

Nepalese woman and boats of Phewa Lake, Pokhara, Nepal, Asia

A man selling inflatable toys in Patan, a historical part of Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Coffee shop in Gorka, the beginning of the Manaslu circuit trek, Nepal, Asia

indian Gharial Chitwan National Park in Nepal

Family at window to watch festival in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Holy woman sitting on the ground at the Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Sherpas return to Everest Base Camp after taking equipment to Camp 2, Khumbu Region, Nepal, Asia

Elaborately carved doorway, north of Tachupal Tole, Bhaktapur (Bhadgaun), Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Asia

A group of tourists sit with their scooters in the historical temple square in Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Nepali man carrying produce in wicker baskets, with Garuda statue, Bishwan Nath Mandir and Bhimsen Mandir temples dating from 17th century behind, Durbar Square, Patan, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Ploughing potato fields with yaks below old Langtang village, Langtang, Nepal, Asia

Priest with offerings at a rural Nepalese Hindu marriage ceremony, Pokhara, Nepal, Asia

A brick building decorated with ornate wooden carvings with a central metal door and metal statues on either side in Patan, Nepal.

Nepalese children, Bhaktapur, Nepal, Asia

Dancer, Bhaktapur, Nepal

A stone carving of a religious icon in Nepal.

Nepalese locals gathering in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal

A Tibetan woman in the Langtang Valley in Nepal, Asia

Lhokta paper being soaked and dried in sun in wooden frame on a U.N. funded project, Bhaktapur (Bhadgaun), Nepal, Asia

Man plays clarinet in Nepalese Army Band, Nepal

Friends two women and a baby, Patan, Nepal

Firewood drying near ornate carved wooden doorway, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Ornate carvings on Golden Gate in Bhaktapur, Nepal

Woman dancer in painted mask,Bhaktapur, Nepal

Corn hanging to dry outside village house, Sikha village, and view looking north between Tatopani and Ghorepani on the Jomsom (Jomson) Trek, north of Pokhara, Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Newars, the dominant clan of Kathmandu Valley, playing traditional music. Bhaktapur, Nepal

Pema chunzum, born february 14, in year of earth monkey, kathmandu nepal

Hindu scripture with cymbals, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Sadhu smoking nirvana at pashupati nath temple, nepal

Community and home based care service is one of the critical care and support services provided to people living with HIV in Nepal. CHBC Teams provide basic health services, social, emotional and spiritual support, reinforcing the concept of ?positive living? and reducing stigma and discrimination in the community. Doti, Nepal

Humla, shamans. shamans central to ceremonial life, with their spirit possession high point of every collective ritual. Their white wool tufted turnans match description of zhangzhung’s priests

Sadhu doing yoga at hindu temple pashupati nath, nepal

Nepal. Sonam & boom praying at charnel grounds. Humla. Vajrayana is tantric mahasiddha, lives fearlessly in terrifying places like remote jungles charnel grounds. nyingma lamas perform ritual at cremation grounds. lama rattles damaru, a small ritual drum to have origins in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bones dried human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. other lama, boom blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers

Anuradha Koirala, proclaimed winner of CNN Hero of the Year 2010, warmly greeted upon her return. Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. A woman whose group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery has been named the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year. Anuradha Koirala was chosen by the public in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. ?Human trafficking is a crime, a heinous crime, a shame to humanity,? Koirala said after being introduced as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010. ?I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters

Burning hide, nepa

Anuradha Koirala holds up her CNN Hero of the Year 2010 award as she is warmly greeted upon her return. Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal. A woman whose group has rescued more than 12,000 women and girls from sex slavery has been named the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year. Anuradha Koirala was chosen by the public in an online poll that ran for eight weeks on CNN.com. ?Human trafficking is a crime, a heinous crime, a shame to humanity,? Koirala said after being introduced as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2010. ?I ask everyone to join me to create a society free of trafficking. We need to do this for all our daughters

Chatral senge dorje rinpoche seated on a tiger skin, yonglesho, Nepal

A young sadhu reads holy scripture near fire. Worship is part of daily life. Some sadhus chant mantras. gayatri mantra is of several mantras that sacred incantations or mystical formulas of ancient literature. gayatri mantra given by brahma mentioned in rigveda is named after consort of brahma: o that glory- of savitri most high. Oh divine us mediate upon. it inspire understanding. goal of recitation is to attain realization. Practice lead mind into a transcendental union with deity.Pashupatinath, kathmandu, nepa

Nepal. Ritual, sonam/boom. Lobsangs cremation. Humla. traveler reached of journey! In freedom of infinite he is free from sorrow, fetters that bound thrown away, burning fever of life is no more,oesays dharmapada. Lobsang having spent whole life preparing moment of death, finds liberation on february 14, 1986. Extensive ritual follows cremation-traditionally a forty nine period, sonam lama rattles damaru. A small ritual drum to have origin in - shamanism. damaru, used as a tantric device to summon gods ward evil spirits, once made from human skull bone dreid human skin as a reminder of impermanence of body. Boom lama blows a kangling, a human thigh-bone horn. kangling is used in exorcism is capable of gods demons. Traditionally, best bones a kangling come from brahmans, particularly sixteen-year- brahman girls-or from tigers. On makeshift altar rest chhome, votive lamps filled with butter, cups of water, grains, tormas, holy food made of barley meal decorated with medallions of butter offered to gods. Alone, boom lama continues prayers of deceased

Mani mask dancers at mani festival marks setting in of spring season in humla. masked dances diversion a long-established part of bonpo religious ceremonies.Dance Is means by which supernatural forces be brought down to world of. Dance recalls a time when distance between spirits samll. Humla, north-west nepal

A brass plate full of offerings to God. Coconut, dried fish, black soya beans, duck eggs, oiled wicks, colour powder, bitten rice, betel nut, hand made rice paper incense, unhusked rice and flowers. Brahmayani Temple, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Alpenglow at sunrise on Annapurna Fang, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Mixed rhododendron and bamboo forest in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A Nepalese woman sirdar carrying a load in the Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Ghandruk village with Annapurna South rising beyond, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A tea house lodge at Annapurna Base Camp looking towards Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang and Annapurna One, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Woman carrying wood to be used as fuel for cooking by Nepalese locals living in the Annapurna Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Women carrying wood to be used as fuel for cooking by Nepalese locals living in the Annapurna Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A Nepalese woman in traditional clothing weaving cloth on a hand loom in the Himalayan foothills, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunrise on Annapurna South, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunset on Annapurna South, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunset on Machapuchare, Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunset on Machapuchare, Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Some religious people reach Brahmayani temple measuring their body length. To do so, a person prostrates on the ground and extends his clasped hands above his head. An assistant puts a few grains of rice at the end of the clasped hands as a marking point. Then, the man steps to this marking point and then prostrates again. Bhaktapur, Nepal

A view of Swayambhu Stupa with full moon marks the 2554 years of Lord Gautam Buddha's birth. Nepalese and Tibetan pilgrims lit lamp at the Stupa with the hopes of peace in country. Despite of the on going political turmoil about non-formation of Constitution, Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday) was celebrated throughout the nation in peace. Kathmandu, Nepal. 2010-May-27

Dilbu ringing, humla. is transient. When sees this, he is above sorrow. This is clear path, says buddha. Nepal

Butter lamp offerings to the Bagmati River flowing next to Brahmayani Temple. Newar Village Women wears "Haku Patasi" to the Temple. (Haku Patasi is garb worn by Newari woman). Bhaktapur, Nepal

A Pilgrim reads his Hindu scripture. Bhaktapur, Nepal

Some religious people reach Brahmayani temple measuring their body length. To do so, a person prostrates on the ground and extends his clasped hands above his head. An assistant puts a few grains of rice at the end of the clasped hands as a marking point. Then, the man steps to this marking point and then prostrates again. Bhaktapur, Nepal

74 year sadhu stands on meditates. Nepal

Bonpo conch shell, t. Norbutse. young monks, wearing ceremonial hats, blow on conch shells to call monks to prayer. yellow cylindrical object behind them is a victory banner, symbolizing monasteries defeat of negativity evil intention on premises

Community and Home Based Care (CHBC) teams also provide comprehensive care and support services including Prevention of Mother to Child Tansmission (PMTCT). Dhangadi, Nepal

At tnorbutse,monks at triten norbutse vigorously debate philosophy, melting away incorrect views like butter in. Bonpo monks debate at triten norbutse monastery. Nepal

A young Nepalese girl with her baby brother in the Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A Pilgrim reads his Hindu scripture. Bhaktapur, Nepal

The rapidly retreating South Annapurna glacier in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

The rapidly retreating South Annapurna glacier in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

The rapidly retreating South Annapurna glacier in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunset on Machapuchare, Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Black dancers norbutse- black dance, known as magyu tshogcham, depicts eight goddesses manifestation of dakini kyema wotsho, nepal

Some religious people reach Brahmayani temple measuring their body length. To do so, a person prostrates on the ground and extends his clasped hands above his head. An assistant puts a few grains of rice at the end of the clasped hands as a marking point. Then, the man steps to this marking point and then prostrates again. Bhaktapur, Nepal

An Ox on a traditional Nepalese farm in the Annapurna Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Alpenglow at sunset on Machapuchare, Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A trekker with alpenglow at sunrise on Annapurna South and Annapurna Fang, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

Some religious people reach Brahmayani temple measuring their body length. To do so, a person prostrates on the ground and extends his clasped hands above his head. An assistant puts a few grains of rice at the end of the clasped hands as a marking point. Then, the man steps to this marking point and then prostrates again. Bhaktapur, Nepal

The rapidly retreating South Annapurna glacier in the Annapurna Sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal, Asia

A small cascade in the Rhododendron forest in the Annapurna sanctuary, Nepalese Himalayas, Nepal Asia

Nepalese face masks for sale at a stall in Patan's Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia