Rites Around the World

Believers gathered to release sky lanterns as a form of prayer for good luck and blessings. The tradition of releasing lanterns began during the Ching Dynasty when bands of outlaws frequently raided villages, forcing local residents to seek refuge in the mountains. The lanterns were signals used by the village watchmen to inform the refugees that their houses were safe again. The Lantern Festival or Yuan Xiao Jie is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in the Chinese calendar.

Makha Bucha Day honours Buddha and his teachings, and falls on the full moon day of the third lunar month.

The Jewish holiday of Purim commemorates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther which is read in synagogues.

Maslenitsa is widely viewed as a pagan holiday marking the end of winter and is celebrated with pancake eating, while the Orthodox Church considers it as the week of feasting before Lent.

Hundreds of Easter processions take place around the clock in Spain during Holy Week, drawing thousands of visitors.

The biggest festival in Romania dedicated to St. Patrick takes place in Bucharest between 15 to 19 March to mark the Irish Presidency of the EU Council, the event consisting of a series of cultural and artistic performances.

More than 100 parades are being held across Ireland to mark St Patrick's Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Ireland, with up to 650,000 spectators expected to attend the parade in Dublin. Ireland has high hopes that the festivities will bring a much-needed boost to the economy.

Many penitents wear hooded robes, Nazarenos, that hide their identity during the processions. Though these appear similar to the robes worn by the Klu Klux Klan, the Spanish outfits are not affiliated with any such group and in fact, date back to medieval times.
Hundreds of processions take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week.

Traditionally in Hindu culture, widows are expected to renounce earthly pleasures and so do not celebrate holi, but for the first time, women at the shelter for widows who have been abandoned by their families celebrated the festival by throwing flowers and coloured powder. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colours, heralds the beginning of spring and is celebrated all over India.

In a Holi tradition unique to Barsana and Nandgaon villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then "beat" them with bamboo sticks called "lathis".

In a Holi tradition unique to Barsana and Nandgaon villages, men sing provocative songs to gain the attention of women, who then "beat" them with bamboo sticks called "lathis".