Catholic Mass in the Holy Sepulchre Church, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Public bath, holy temple of Tirta Empul, region of Ubud, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Sadhu on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi (Benares), Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Brahmin priests, Sri Vadapathira Kaliamman Hindu Temple, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Asia

Painting of a man meditating

A local sadhu, Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhus gathered for Shivaratri festival in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Holy man at Pashupati Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu procession during Haridwar Kumbh Mela, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, Asia

Sadhu, Durbar Square, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Central Region, Nepal, Asia

The Greek Orthodox catholicon, Orthodox Mass, Holy Sepulchre Church, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Sadhus (Holy men) at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Ethiopian Good Friday celebrations at the Holy Sepulcre, Old City, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Indian sadhu in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

The Greek Orthodox catholicon, Orthodox Mass, Holy Sepulchre Church, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Hindu pilgrim with turban at Dashashwamedh Ghat in holy city of Varanasi, Benares, India

Street scene in holy city of Varanasi, Benares, Northern India

Sadhu procession during Haridwar Kumbh Mela, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India, Asia

View of Parish Church of the Holy Blood and cafes, Graz, Styria, Austria. Europe

Procession, Holy Week, Iglesias, Sardinia, Italy, Europe

Sadhu (Holy Man) at Hindu pilgrimage site, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhus (Holy men) at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Portrait of Sadhu, Pashupatinath temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhus (Holy men) at Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Pope Francis walking at the end of the Pentecost Holy Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Rome, Lazio, Italy, Europe

Holy sacrament procession in Saint Denis Basilica, France, Europe

Sadhu and holy cow, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India, Asia

Old man sits, prays and hopes for donations on the Buddhist Lingkhor circuit, a traditional pilgrimage around the holy sites of the city, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia

Disabled woman receiving Holy Communion, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

Holy Communion, Notre Dame Cathedral. Catholic Mass, Paris, France, Europe

Man holding child in ancient building fronting the famous Ghats by The Ganges River in Holy City of Varanasi, India

Holy confession, Ars-sur-Formans, Ain, France, Europe

Egyptian Coptic priest at the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, Israel, Middle East

Holy confession at a traditionalist Catholic pilgrimage, Paris, France, Europe

Sadhu smoking nirvana at pashupati nath temple, nepal

Aside from a life of simplicity focus on divine, many sadhus engage in a diverse array of practices both internal external in order to attain higher states of awareness consciousness. This sadhu chosen hatha yoga shows results--a well-disciplined, strong body--while holding kukkuta asana, or cock posture. India

Sadhus rally initiation at ujjain kumbh mela, indi

Sadhu doing yoga at hindu temple pashupati nath, 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

Religion, ethiopia. Monk (in pink, abba gebra kidan) staying in the caves near the churches of lalibela

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint constantin of kavasila. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre pausing in full dress at the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem Old City, Israel, Middle East

Forehead designs, called tilakas, show a sadhus religious and sectarian affiliations and range from a simple daub of color to complex designs involving the entire face. the application of a tilaka is usually done at the start of each day after bathing as a way to sanctify the body and prepare it to receive the divine. pashupatinath, nepal

74 year sadhu stands on meditates. Nepal

H.h. 14th dalai lama. In early days most of individual tantric systems were kept separate from another, each regarded as a path to enlightment. here again passage of time brought about fusion cross-fertilization, a tradition of uniting various tantras emerged, at least on a simple level a daily meditation. India

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint george. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

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

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Religion, ethiopia. Monk (in pink, abba gebra kidan) staying in the caves near the churches of lalibela

Sadhus (Hindu holy men) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Religion, bulgaria. The byzantine catholic church at plovdiv. Icons inside the church

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint clement of ohrid. 13th century frescoes inside the orthodox church of saint clement, ohrid

Sadhus (Hindu holy men) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Religion, ethiopia. Orthodox archbishop gregorius visiting tullo gudo island and monastery of debre zion, lake ziway. Reading ancient parchment bible stored in church.

India. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad. An icon of saint thomas

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Sadhu outside the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

A Pilgrim reads his Hindu scripture. Bhaktapur, Nepal

Sadhu, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint john the baptist. Frescoes in the orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Australia. Ukrainian greco- service at cathedral in melbourne.

Sadhu outside the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Kailash, tibe

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saints cyril and methodius, statue. The town of ohrid on the shore of lake ohrid

Sadhus (Hindu holy men) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Holy man, Anjuna Market, Goa, India, Asia

Sadhu, indi

East timor bishop ricardo of dili visiting oecussi-amben

India. Mural depicting the life of thomas, at the saint thomas museum ernakulum. Thomas arriving at coimbatore in 52 ad and meeting brahmins. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

Sadhu puting chandan tilaka, india

Macedonia (the former yugoslav republic of macedonia, fyrm) saint naum fresco. Orthodox church of the monastery of saint naum. Lake ohrid

Sadhu, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Sadhu (Hindu holy man) in Kathmandu, Nepal, Asia

Australia. Amba suriel, coptic orthodox bishop of melbourne

Sadhu, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Asia

India. Mural depicting the life of thomas, at the saint thomas museum ernakulum. Thomas with his cross in kokkamangalam. In the footsteps of saint thomas: visiting the eight churches founded by the apostle in kerala after he arrived in 52 ad

Priest and couple joining hands in wedding

Apache men dancing in traditional regalia

Priest holding chalice in bowl

Priest baptizing baby girl with water

Apache man dancing in traditional regalia

Priest blessing baby boy in church

Father holding baby son in church

Priest in church

Priest holding baby girl in church

Volunteers cooking for the pilgrims who visit the Golden Temple, Each day they serve free food for 60,000 - 80,000 pilgrims, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Making chai. Volunteers cooking for the pilgrims who visit the Golden Temple, Each day they serve free food for 60,000 - 80,000 pilgrims, Golden temple, Amritsar, Punjab, India