"observer pose"

#13391867

2 March 2026

Tourists pose for a photo during the Holi celebration at Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on March 2, 2026. Foreigners join the celebration in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, smearing colors on each other's faces with the greeting ''Happy Holi'' in the premises of the ancient palace. The Kathmandu or Basantapur Durbar Square is a common place for Kathmanduites to gather and celebrate the festival of colors. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, previously the royal palace, witnesses major turmoil and changes in Nepal and is also referred to as the ''Holi Junction of Kathmandu.'' Every year, people observing the festival of colors usually visit the historical courtyard for recreation. The festival, also called the Spring festival, marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season. The first day of the festival is called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan, and the second day is Dhuleti or Holi. Holika Dahan, the death of Holika, symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by lighting a bonfire and performing a special Puja to burn evil spirits. The next day, people smear one another with different colors, including Abir or red vermilion powder. Among various cultural festivals celebrated in Nepal, the Fagu Poornima carries its own specialty and significance. People of all ages enjoy the festival with enthusiasm. One of the widely observed festivals of the country, the festival begins on the eighth day of the new moon and ends with the burning of the 'Chir,' which is installed earlier, on the full moon day.

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#13339383

18 February 2026

Lion dance performers pose for a portrait during Lunar New Year celebrations at Pagoda Pantjoran Chinatown PIK in North Jakarta, Indonesia. The performance is part of traditional festivities observed by the Chinese-Indonesian community.

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#13320641

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic poses for a photo in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13320655

15 February 2026

A Shaivite ascetic poses for a photo in the premises of Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kathmandu, Nepal, on February 14, 2026, as they arrive for Maha Shivaratri. On Maha Shivaratri, sadhus from various parts of Nepal and India traditionally gather at Pashupatinath. It is customary to bid them farewell with offerings and donations after the completion of the festival. A large number of devotees from across Nepal and different parts of India visit the temple for darshan. A special fair is held in the Pashupati area on the occasion. Maha Shivaratri is observed on Falgun Krishna Chaturdashi. On this day, devotees throng Shiva temples, offering bel leaves, observing fasts, and staying awake through the night in the belief that it brings religious merit.

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#13181784

11 January 2026

A Nepali pro-monarchist poses for a photo against the backdrop of the Nepali national flags in Kathmandu, Nepal, on January 11, 2026, during National Unity Day. The birth anniversary of nation-builder Prithivi Narayan Shah is celebrated as National Unification Day in the Himalayan nation. Prithvi Narayan Shah, the then king of Gorkha, ascends the throne at the age of 20 and launches the unification campaign amid significant social, economic, and geographical challenges. He passes away in 1831 BS at the age of 52. Prithvi Jayanti commemorates Nepal's shared history, culture, and national pride, and serves as a reminder to strengthen unity amid diversity. The day highlights the importance of placing national interest above personal interests and carries special significance in instilling a sense of dedication, service, and responsibility toward the nation among the younger generation. Shah's unification campaign enables Nepal to remain one of the world's oldest independent nations by safeguarding national sovereignty and independence. His teachings, including the notion that both internal and external threats undermine the nation, remain relevant today, particularly in the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance. His description of Nepal as a ''yam between two rocks'' continues to resonate in the country's geopolitical context.

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#13127418

24 December 2025

A Nepali Christian child poses for a photo at the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. However, they share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13127432

24 December 2025

A Nepali Christian child poses for a photo at the Assumption Church in Lalitpur, Nepal, on December 24, 2025. Churches across Nepal are decorated with lights and decorations to mark the evening with gaiety and fanfare praising Christ. The Assumption Church in Lalitpur is also decorated with lighting, and a Christmas tree is set in the courtyard, which becomes the center of attraction for visitors. Christmas, a Christian holiday honoring the birth of Jesus Christ, features diverse traditions around the world. However, they share key traits involving the themes of light and evergreens. Other communities also join the celebration in Nepal as it is recently observed as a national festival. People across the world observe the festival with traditions and practices that include decorating Christmas trees, exchanging gifts, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

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#13066808

6 December 2025

TALLINN, ESTONIA – DECEMBER 6, 2025: Affy, the Santa Claus of the Tallinn Christmas Market, poses for a photo with members of Nomme Marid, a girls’ folk dance group from the Nomme Cultural Center, perform traditional Estonian dances during St. Nicholas’ Day celebrations at the Market Square in Tallinn, Estonia, on December 6, 2025. Although St. Nicholas’ Day is observed in Estonia, it plays a modest role compared to Christmas Eve, when Jouluvana, the Estonian Santa, traditionally visits homes and children recite poems or sing songs to receive gifts.

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#12698535

31 August 2025

Women wearing matching sarees pose for a photo with a man dressed as King Mahabali during the Onam festival in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, on August 30, 2025. Onam is a major annual event for Malayali people in and outside Kerala. Onam is a harvest festival and is one of three major annual Hindu celebrations along with Vishu and Thiruvathira observed by Keralites.

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#12618552

5 August 2025

A boy poses for a picture in the city center Lalchowk on the anniversary of the revocation of Article 370 in Srinagar, Indian Administered Kashmir, on August 5, 2025.

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#12552030

13 July 2025

A couple stands arm in arm watching the crowd at a public LGBTQ+ pride event in Memmingen, Germany, on July 12, 2025.

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#12491244

21 June 2025

A burqa-clad woman performs yoga to mark the International Day of Yoga in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on June 21, 2025. International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21 and has been recognized worldwide since 2015.

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#12491251

21 June 2025

A woman performs yoga to mark the International Day of Yoga in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on June 21, 2025. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on June 21 and has been recognized worldwide since 2015.

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#12377093

17 May 2025

Members of Nepal's indigenous Kirat community pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate Shakela Ubhauli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 17, 2025. Kirant men and women clad in traditional attire observe the festival by beating drums and cymbals, imitating the activities of birds and other animals, and exchanging greetings with each other. This festival is celebrated by worshiping land and ancestors in hopes of obtaining better crops, health, and property. Kirat Mundhum, the holy book of Kirat, mentions that the year of 365 days is divided into two phases: Ubhauli (going up) and Udhauli (going down). In the past, people used to move uphill and downhill during these seasons. Ubhauli is celebrated every year on Baishak Sulka Purnima, on the same day as Buddha Purnima/Buddha Jayanti in the Nepali month of Baishak (April-May). Traditionally, during the summer, the Kirat people move uphill to avoid the heat and malaria. They perform Ubhauli rituals before they move, during which they worship their ancestors and nature for better health and crops. Sakela is the biggest festival celebrated by the Kirats of Nepal. Ubhauli and Udhauli are the two main festivals of Sakela. Ubhauli means upward, and Udhauli means downward. Every year, Ubhauli is celebrated on Baishak Sulka Purnima, which is on the same day as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. Sakela Ubhauli falls in the month of Baishak (April-May), and Sakela Udhauli falls during the month of Mangsir (October-November) of the Bikram Sambat calendar. Traditionally, the Kirat people climb up to the mountains in summer to avoid the heat and malaria after performing the Ubhauli rituals. During these traditional rituals, they worship their ancestors and nature, seeking better wealth and crops. At the start of winter, with similar rituals for Udhauli, they move down the hill. The Kirat have a strong belief in dead ancestors and nature. They believe ancestors become angry when they are not properly worshipped.

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#12377094

17 May 2025

Members of Nepal's indigenous Kirat community pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate Shakela Ubhauli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 17, 2025. Kirant men and women clad in traditional attire observe the festival by beating drums and cymbals, imitating the activities of birds and other animals, and exchanging greetings with each other. This festival is celebrated by worshiping land and ancestors in hopes of obtaining better crops, health, and property. Kirat Mundhum, the holy book of Kirat, mentions that the year of 365 days is divided into two phases: Ubhauli (going up) and Udhauli (going down). In the past, people used to move uphill and downhill during these seasons. Ubhauli is celebrated every year on Baishak Sulka Purnima, on the same day as Buddha Purnima/Buddha Jayanti in the Nepali month of Baishak (April-May). Traditionally, during the summer, the Kirat people move uphill to avoid the heat and malaria. They perform Ubhauli rituals before they move, during which they worship their ancestors and nature for better health and crops. Sakela is the biggest festival celebrated by the Kirats of Nepal. Ubhauli and Udhauli are the two main festivals of Sakela. Ubhauli means upward, and Udhauli means downward. Every year, Ubhauli is celebrated on Baishak Sulka Purnima, which is on the same day as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. Sakela Ubhauli falls in the month of Baishak (April-May), and Sakela Udhauli falls during the month of Mangsir (October-November) of the Bikram Sambat calendar. Traditionally, the Kirat people climb up to the mountains in summer to avoid the heat and malaria after performing the Ubhauli rituals. During these traditional rituals, they worship their ancestors and nature, seeking better wealth and crops. At the start of winter, with similar rituals for Udhauli, they move down the hill. The Kirat have a strong belief in dead ancestors and nature. They believe ancestors become angry when they are not properly worshipped.

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#12377099

17 May 2025

Members of Nepal's indigenous Kirat community pose for a photo as they gather to celebrate Shakela Ubhauli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 17, 2025. Kirant men and women clad in traditional attire observe the festival by beating drums and cymbals, imitating the activities of birds and other animals, and exchanging greetings with each other. This festival is celebrated by worshiping land and ancestors in hopes of obtaining better crops, health, and property. Kirat Mundhum, the holy book of Kirat, mentions that the year of 365 days is divided into two phases: Ubhauli (going up) and Udhauli (going down). In the past, people used to move uphill and downhill during these seasons. Ubhauli is celebrated every year on Baishak Sulka Purnima, on the same day as Buddha Purnima/Buddha Jayanti in the Nepali month of Baishak (April-May). Traditionally, during the summer, the Kirat people move uphill to avoid the heat and malaria. They perform Ubhauli rituals before they move, during which they worship their ancestors and nature for better health and crops. Sakela is the biggest festival celebrated by the Kirats of Nepal. Ubhauli and Udhauli are the two main festivals of Sakela. Ubhauli means upward, and Udhauli means downward. Every year, Ubhauli is celebrated on Baishak Sulka Purnima, which is on the same day as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. Sakela Ubhauli falls in the month of Baishak (April-May), and Sakela Udhauli falls during the month of Mangsir (October-November) of the Bikram Sambat calendar. Traditionally, the Kirat people climb up to the mountains in summer to avoid the heat and malaria after performing the Ubhauli rituals. During these traditional rituals, they worship their ancestors and nature, seeking better wealth and crops. At the start of winter, with similar rituals for Udhauli, they move down the hill. The Kirat have a strong belief in dead ancestors and nature. They believe ancestors become angry when they are not properly worshipped.

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