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#12632233

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632234

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632236

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632237

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632239

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632241

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12632242

10 August 2025

People dress as cows and parade through the alleyways and courtyards of the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 10, 2025, to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away within a year, praying for their salvation. Dressed as cows, who are on a brief pilgrimage to give salvation to the souls of their departed loved ones, thousands of people march through Basantapur Durbar Square, marking the annual festival of Gai Jatra. In this time-honored tradition, people of all ages, in the guise of cows and lunatics, go around the city wearing odd costumes to commemorate those who have died within the past year. Bereaved families offer fruits, bread, beaten rice, curd, and money to those participating in the procession, including the cows. This festival of cows, commonly called ''Gai Jatra'' or the ''Cow Festival,'' falls on the first day of the waning moon in the month of Bhadra (Bhadra Sukla Pratipada), the fifth month of the Lunar calendar. It is mostly observed by the Newari and Tharu communities of Nepal. According to sayings, the festival derives its name from the religious belief that the deceased, during their journey to heaven, cross a legendary river by grabbing the tail of a cow. The tails of cows demonstrated today are also credited for helping the deceased to get across Baitarni, a legendary river, to enter heaven. The persons who are demonstrated with the attire of a cow also have an artificial tail, which serves the same purpose.

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#12627114

9 August 2025

Nepali novice priests take part in a ritualistic bath at an Ashram on the premises of Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while observing the festival of Janai Purnima, the festival of sacred threads observed in Nepal and India. Janai Purnima involves a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site to receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627126

9 August 2025

Janai, a sacred thread, is worn by a Nepali novice priest in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025. Janai Purnima, the festival of threads, involves a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to emerge from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627130

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627131

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627138

9 August 2025

A Nepali Hindu devotee performs rituals on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earns more virtue, which threatens the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha ties the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12627139

9 August 2025

Nepali priests tie Rakshabandhan, a sacred thread worn across the wrist, on the embankments of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, on August 9, 2025, while marking the festival of Janai Purnima. Janai Purnima is the festival of threads, involving a ritualistic bath and the tying of the sacred thread ''Rakshya Bandhan'' on the wrist and ''Janai'' across the body by Hindu devotees. According to the scriptures, the sacred thread worn across the body of Hindu devotees is believed to have emerged from the Yagya, a sacrificial rite or performance of duty. A person who wears this sacred thread is full of energy, and this thread has two parts, each containing three threads: the first is Bramha, the second is Bishnu, and the third is Lord Shiva. These are symbols of knowledge, meditation, and power. On the other side is nature, which is also considered the female companions of males: Saraswati of Bramha, Laxmi of Bishnu, and Parbati of Shiva. Those who do not wear Janai go to a nearby religious site and receive the 'Raksha Bandhan' thread, which is tied around the wrist as an amulet. The yellow thread is purified through the chanting of mantras by Brahmin priests as a symbol of protection from fear and disease. This sacred thread is made through the combination of 27 different types of threads. In astrology, there are 27 types of constellations, and the name of every human being is believed to be recorded in these constellations. This thread is tied around the wrist following the folklore about King Bali. Bali earned more virtue, which threatened the throne of King Indra. Then, Bramha tied the thread around the wrist, and it is followed since then in remembrance of Lord Bali.

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#12553685

14 July 2025

Students go to school through a road damaged by a landslide in Jatigede Subdistrict, Sumedang Regency, West Java, Indonesia, on July 14, 2025. Based on data from Cipicung Village Office, the landslide that occurs on May 14, 2025, occurs due to high rainfall and causes 5 houses and 6 families to be evacuated.

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#12547063

11 July 2025

In Krakow, Poland, on July 11, 2025, police participate in the 3rd Black March of Wolyn 1943 on the 82nd anniversary of ''Bloody Sunday'' as they march through the streets of Krakow. The III Black March commemorates the 82nd anniversary of the Wolyn massacre, in which about 80,000 Poles die in 1943. First, a holy mass is celebrated in the intention of the victims, and then the participants of the march go to the monument to the Victims of Ukrainian Genocide at the Rakowicki cemetery.

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#12547064

11 July 2025

In Krakow, Poland, on July 11, 2025, police participate in the 3rd Black March of Wolyn 1943 on the 82nd anniversary of ''Bloody Sunday'' as they march through the streets of Krakow. The III Black March commemorates the 82nd anniversary of the Wolyn massacre, in which about 80,000 Poles die in 1943. First, a holy mass is celebrated in the intention of the victims, and then the participants of the march go to the monument to the Victims of Ukrainian Genocide at the Rakowicki cemetery.

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