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Around South Asia

Agencies Published January 15, 2013
Hindu priests cook pongal during the Thai Pongal harvest festival at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony in which the farmers thank the spirits of nature, the sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. ?Photo by Reuters
Hindu priests cook pongal during the Thai Pongal harvest festival at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Tamil festival of Thai Pongal is a thanksgiving ceremony in which the farmers thank the spirits of nature, the sun and the farm animals for their assistance in providing a successful harvest. ?Photo by Reuters
Commuters get off trains as they arrive at a station to attend the final prayer of Biswa Ijtema in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thousands of Muslims joined the Akheri Munajat, the final supplication, as the first phase of the Muslims congregation concluded by seeking forgiveness and blessings for mankind. ?Photo by Reuters
Commuters get off trains as they arrive at a station to attend the final prayer of Biswa Ijtema in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Thousands of Muslims joined the Akheri Munajat, the final supplication, as the first phase of the Muslims congregation concluded by seeking forgiveness and blessings for mankind. ?Photo by Reuters
A Bangladeshi Muslim prays during the last day of the three-day Islamic Congregation on the banks of the River Turag in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The gathering, held each year since 1966, aims to revive the tenets of Islam and promote peace through prayer. ?Photo by AP
A Bangladeshi Muslim prays during the last day of the three-day Islamic Congregation on the banks of the River Turag in Tongi, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The gathering, held each year since 1966, aims to revive the tenets of Islam and promote peace through prayer. ?Photo by AP
Indian disabled cyclist Aditya Mehta, prepares to ride during a practise session in Hyderabad. Mehta lost his right leg in a bus accident seven years ago, and with the support of family and friends, he took up cycling few months ago. Mehta will represent India in cycling during the 2013 Asian Para Games on March 7 which is being held in New Delhi. ?Photo by AFP
Indian disabled cyclist Aditya Mehta, prepares to ride during a practise session in Hyderabad. Mehta lost his right leg in a bus accident seven years ago, and with the support of family and friends, he took up cycling few months ago. Mehta will represent India in cycling during the 2013 Asian Para Games on March 7 which is being held in New Delhi. ?Photo by AFP
Spectators watch as two bulbuls fight during a traditional bird fight during the Assamese harvest festival ?Bhogali Bihu? in Hajo, India. ?Photo by AP
Spectators watch as two bulbuls fight during a traditional bird fight during the Assamese harvest festival ?Bhogali Bihu? in Hajo, India. ?Photo by AP
Indian children run near the India-Pakistan international border fencing at Suchet Garh, south of Jammu, in India. Despite the worst bout of violence in years along the disputed Kashmir border, Pakistani and Indian officials have kept tension from spiralling out of control. ?Photo by AP
Indian children run near the India-Pakistan international border fencing at Suchet Garh, south of Jammu, in India. Despite the worst bout of violence in years along the disputed Kashmir border, Pakistani and Indian officials have kept tension from spiralling out of control. ?Photo by AP
Nepalese witch doctors wearing traditional ornaments made of bones, dance as devotees take holy dip in Narayani river during Maghe Sankranti at Devghat, in Nepal. Maghe Sankranti is a Nepalese festival observed on the first day of the Hindu calendar month of Magh. On this day, the sun is believed to travel northwards to Makar Rashi (Capricorn). Hindus take ritual baths during this festival, notably at auspicious river locations. ?Photo by AP
Nepalese witch doctors wearing traditional ornaments made of bones, dance as devotees take holy dip in Narayani river during Maghe Sankranti at Devghat, in Nepal. Maghe Sankranti is a Nepalese festival observed on the first day of the Hindu calendar month of Magh. On this day, the sun is believed to travel northwards to Makar Rashi (Capricorn). Hindus take ritual baths during this festival, notably at auspicious river locations. ?Photo by AP
Nepalese devotees at Devghat take holy dip in Narayani river during Maghe Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is also termed the festival of Sun God. Devotees think that the Sun God is a symbol of power, divinity and wisdom. ?Photo by AP
Nepalese devotees at Devghat take holy dip in Narayani river during Maghe Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is also termed the festival of Sun God. Devotees think that the Sun God is a symbol of power, divinity and wisdom. ?Photo by AP
In this photograph taken on December 7, 2012, Pakistani Muslims perform congregational Friday prayers in a mosque where both Sunni and Shiite sects offer prayers in the Qila Bhattian Wala village, in Pakistan. Two prayer sessions are held for every call for prayer, with a cleric from each respective sect leading congregational prayers according to their practices. In this village of Qila Bhattian Wala, Shiite Muslims know nothing of the record levels of violence suffered by their community elsewhere in Pakistan. He
In this photograph taken on December 7, 2012, Pakistani Muslims perform congregational Friday prayers in a mosque where both Sunni and Shiite sects offer prayers in the Qila Bhattian Wala village, in Pakistan. Two prayer sessions are held for every call for prayer, with a cleric from each respective sect leading congregational prayers according to their practices. In this village of Qila Bhattian Wala, Shiite Muslims know nothing of the record levels of violence suffered by their community elsewhere in Pakistan. He

A gallery of happenings around South Asia showcases religious festivals, fascinating cultures and embodiments of peace and an unyielding spirit - all things worth celebrating for. —Photos by Agencies/ Text by Alisia Pek

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