"Abstaining"

#13143827

31 December 2025

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar presents the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget for the second time in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 31, 2025. The CMC budget is approved by a narrow majority of two votes, with 58 members voting in favor, 56 voting against, and two abstaining.

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#13143833

31 December 2025

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar presents the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget for the second time in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 31, 2025. The CMC budget is approved by a narrow majority of two votes, with 58 members voting in favor, 56 voting against, and two abstaining.

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#13143834

31 December 2025

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar presents the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget for the second time in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 31, 2025. The CMC budget is approved by a narrow majority of two votes, with 58 members voting in favor, 56 voting against, and two abstaining.

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#13143835

31 December 2025

Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar presents the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) budget for the second time in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on December 31, 2025. The CMC budget is approved by a narrow majority of two votes, with 58 members voting in favor, 56 voting against, and two abstaining.

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#13001805

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees flock to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025, on the eve of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001812

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees light oil-fed lamps, which they keep alive throughout the night and immerse in the river only on the day of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001824

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees flock to the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025, on the eve of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001827

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees light oil-fed lamps, which they keep alive throughout the night and immerse in the river only on the day of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001829

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees light oil-fed lamps, which they keep alive throughout the night and immerse in the river only on the day of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#13001832

18 November 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees light oil-fed lamps, which they keep alive throughout the night and immerse in the river only on the day of the Bala Chaturdashi festival, a festival observed for the salvation of departed souls in Kathmandu, Nepal, on November 18, 2025. The devotees camp to stay awake throughout the night, taking care of the lamps on the eve of Bala Chaturdashi, performing this ritual for the salvation of the souls of deceased ones. The festival of Bala Chaturdashi starts from Marga Krishna Trayodashi, the 13th day of the waning moon in the month of Mangsir (8th month according to the Nepali calendar). Devotees who observe this ritual maintain strict fasting, with only one meal that day, and abstain from garlic, onions, fish, eggs, and other food items that are said to be impure. In the evening, they reach the Pashupatinath temple or shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and chant hymns and prayers to Lord Shiva all night long. They light ''Akhanda Jyoti'' in the name of the deceased souls of their families. The next morning, Marga Krishna Chaturdashi, they take a holy bath and start their journey around the Pashupatinath temple premises, spreading seven kinds of grains along the way.

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#12911545

26 October 2025

People worship the idol of Chhathi Maiya in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one’s family.

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#12911546

26 October 2025

A Nepali Hindu woman carries the bamboo baskets used during the Chhath festival as she returns home from the market in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

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#12911548

26 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees purchase bamboo baskets used during the Chhath festival in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

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#12911549

26 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees purchase citrus fruit offered during the Chhath festival in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

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#12911550

26 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees purchase citrus fruit offered during the Chhath festival in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

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#12911551

26 October 2025

Nepali Hindu devotees purchase sugarcane offered during the Chhath festival in Birgunj, Nepal, on October 26, 2025. The Hindu festival of Chhath, which lasts for four days, commences on Saturday with the first ritual, 'Nahay Khay,' drawing massive crowds at various ghats. Devotees throng riverbanks to take a holy dip and offer prayers to the Sun God, marking the beginning of the auspicious Chhath Mahaparv. On the second day of Chhath Puja, known as Kharna, devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, abstaining from both food and water. The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunset. Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya, the festival emphasizes purity, gratitude, and the well-being of one's family.

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