Monk, Ladakh, India, Asia

Two pilgrims in white dress making Puja celebration in the Pichola Lake at sunset, Udaipur, Rajasthan state, India, Asia

Atonement path, Basilica of Fatima, Fatima, Estremadura, Portugal, Europe

Pilgrims touching a stone in the shrine on Besh Barmaq mountain, Siyazan, Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Asia

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

Zen pilgrim statue by Torao Yazaki, Vincennes, Val-de-Marne, France, Europe

Young pilgrims outside Notre Dame cathedral during Pope Benedict XVI 's visit to France, Paris, France, Europe

Disabled woman in the Lourdes basilica, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

Lourdes holy water, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

Pilgrims at Dominus Flevit, Jerusalem. Israel, Middle East

Pilgrimage at Notre Dame de la Roche, Notre-Dame de la Gorge, Haute Savoie, France, Europe

Praying woman, Lourdes, Hautes Pyrenees, France, Europe

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

Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims prostrating at the Jokhang temple, Barkhor, Lhasa, Tibet, China, Asia

Guru and worshippers at Scindia Ghat, Varanasi (Benares), Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Men and women washing in the River Ganges at Scindia Ghat, Varanasi (Benares), Uttar Pradesh, India, Asia

Monks offer butter lamps. Bodgaya, india. Monks offer butter lamps in front of 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

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrim take rickshaw to the main temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Hindu pilgrims come to maha bodhi temple to worship buddha because he is the reincarnation of vishnu. Maha bodhi temple complex. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims walk through the entrance banner at main temple in bodhgaya. They carry kusha grass for offering. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Buddhist monks prostrating at maha bodhi temple complex in bodhgaya. Prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate the mayadevi temple and the pond in front of it. Lumbini, nepal

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

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

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

Monk prostrating in front of maha bodhi temple. Bodhgaya prostration is a gesture used in buddhist practice to show reverence to the triple gem (comprising the buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community) and other objects of veneration. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Ethiopia the maryam feast, feast of mary, at axum. The view from the steps of the great stela towards the church of saint mary zion

Ethiopia the maryam feast, feast of mary, at axum. His holiness abuna paulos walking down from the steps to the great stela

India. Pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala. Statue of thomas in the lower church

Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate the mayadevi temple and the pond in front of it. Lumbini, 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

Ethiopia the maryam feast, feast of mary, at axum. The patriarch and archbishops assembled beneath the stela of king ezana

Italy the funeral of pope john paul ii at the vatican in rome, 8th april 2005. Catholic nuns paying their respects

Monastery, ethiopia. Debre damo monastery. Tigray. Pilgrims gathered underneath cliff

Mongolia mongolian pilgrims at gandan monastery, ulaan baatur

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

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

Tens of thousands of buddhist pilgrims from around the world traveled to bodhgaya, a town in northern india, to hear exiled tibetan spiritual leader hh dalai lama give the kalachakra-religious teachings. Pilgrims offer holy kusha grass (amrisso). Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, bihar, india

Buddhist monk make prostration as he circumambulate the mayadevi temple in lumbini. Nepal

Hindu scripture with cymbals, Bhaktapur, Nepal

A Pilgrim reads his Hindu scripture. Bhaktapur, Nepal

Pilgrims receive puriying essence blessings. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Syria, Damascus, The Omayyad Mosque By Khalif Walid The First And 12 000 Workers, The Site Was Occupied By A Temple Then A Church, Pilgrims From The Whole Islamic World Visit The Mausoleum Supposed To Contain The Prophet Yaya's Head (Alias St John The Baptist) Discovered In Viii Th Cent, Iranian Shiites Believe The Prophet Mahomet's Grandson Hussein's Head (Son Of Ali) Was Also Stored Here, Copper Spacelab In The Yard

Myanmar shwedagon paya (pagoda), yangon (rangoon), general view of 98 m high stupa, puting offerings of food flowers on shrines

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

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Buddhist pilgrims make incense offering to mayadevi temple. Lumbini, nepal

A Pilgrim reads his Hindu scripture. Bhaktapur, Nepal

India the peryar river, where thomas landed before climbing mount malayattoor. Pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala

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

India. Saint thomas baptising a brahmin in the periyar river. Pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala

India. Pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala. Statue of jesus in the lower church

Receiving kalachakra initiation in sarnath, india

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

Syria, Damascus , Omayyad Mosque, Interior, People At Prayer, Pilgrims Come From The Whole Islamic World To Visit The Mausoleum Supposed To Contain The Prophet Yaya's Head (St John The Baptist), Iranian Shiites Believe The Prophet Mahomet Grandson Hussein's Head (Son Of Ali) Was Also Stored Here

Buddhist pilgrims from arunachal pradesh in india, buyng stone souvenirs. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Bhutanese pilgrim holds leaf of bodhi tree as she meditates. It is believed that gautam buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme enlightenment under the bodhi tree in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Ethiopia the maryam feast, feast of mary, at axum. Pilgrims venerating mary, insdie the church of saint mary of zion

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Bhutanese pilgrims meditate under bodhi tree. It is believed that gautam buddha attained unsurpassed, supreme enlightenment under this bodhi tree. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Ethiopia girogis church, adwa, dring a ceremony when patriarch paulos made a visit. Tigray. Onlookers at the event

Mongolia ligthing candles inside migjid janraisig sum temple at gandan monastery, ulaan baatur

Italy the funeral of pope john paul ii at the vatican in rome, 8th april 2005. Catholic nuns paying their respects

Russia pechersky monastery, near pskov.

Myanmar shwedagon paya (pagoda), yangon (rangoon), general view of 98 m high stupa

India. Faithfiul at a station of the cross during the pilgrimage to malayattoor, a hill which saint thomas the apostle is believed to have climbed around 55 ad, leaving his footprints at the top. It is a major pilgrim centre for christians as well as hindus and moslems, who believe the trip can cure them of physical and mental disease. Kerala

Mongolia pilgrims spinning prayer wheels gandan monastery, ulaan baatur

While circumambulating maha bodhi temple, tibetans making money offerings to bihari in need. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

While circumambulating maha bodhi temple, tibetans making money offerings to bihari in need. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Buddhist pilgrims circumambulate maha bodhi temple in bodhgaya. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Pilgrims at the public bath in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu, India, Asia

Kailash, tibe

Thailand, Bangkok, Erawan Shrine Located In The Modern Town, Many Believers And Pilgrims Come Here For Praying And Getting Blessings, A Wealthy Donator Paid For A Dance To Be Performed

Tibetan pilgrims in devotion. Kalachakra initiation in bodhgaya, india

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Pilgrims at Lawkananda Pagoda built by King Anawrahta in 1059 A.D to enshrine a Holy Tooth replica, Bagan Myothit, Bagan (Pagan), Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Ethiopia girogis church, adwa, dring a ceremony when patriarch paulos made a visit. Tigray. Onlookers at the event

Ethiopia musicians at kidana merhet church, tigray

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Italy, Rome, Scala Santa Church, Pilgrim Touching The Foot Of St. Peterõs Statue As Recommended By Tradition

Russiapilgrims clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 atpechersky " caves" monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik.

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Carrying tourists/pilgrims to the Golden Rock, Golden Rock, Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Pilgrims praying at the Golden Rock,The Golden Rock, Kyaiktiyo, Myanmar (Burma), Asia

Russia clergy circumambulating monastery during annual feast procession on 28/8/2006 at pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Ethiopia old men at the abuna garmina monastery during the visit of the patriarch, abuna paulos

Russia with candles, pechersky caves monastery, pskov district, founded on august 28th 1473 by saint jonah sheshnik

Italy, Rome, Santa Maria In Cosmedin Church, Pilgrim Praying

India - religion - christian pilgrims walking around church on hands and knees as penance, good friday, valliappally, kerala

Mongolia visitors and buddhist monks, gandan monastery, ulaan baatur. Main gate

Mongolia mongolian pilgrims at gandan monastery, ulaan baatur

Pilgrims entering the temple of Besakih, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Pilgrims at the temple of Mysore, Karnataka, India, Asia

Pilgrims entering the temple of Besakih, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Devotion. Buddhist pilgrims from various denominations pray under bodhi tree in front of the mayadevi temple. Lumbini, nepal

Italy, Rome, Scala Santa, Pilgrims

Pilgrims entering the temple of Besakih, Bali, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, Asia

Chretien, Rome, Italy