The faces of joy

Published August 23, 2013
A Nepalese transgender is pictured while getting ready for a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) pride parade to mark the Gaijatra Festival, also known as the festival of cows, in Kathmandu.—Photo by Reuters
A Nepalese transgender is pictured while getting ready for a LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) pride parade to mark the Gaijatra Festival, also known as the festival of cows, in Kathmandu.—Photo by Reuters
A Nepalese Hindu boy dressed in festival attire is offered milk during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A Nepalese Hindu boy dressed in festival attire is offered milk during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A Nepalese Hindu boy dressed as Hindu deity Lord Krishna looks on during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A Nepalese Hindu boy dressed as Hindu deity Lord Krishna looks on during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A lady prepares "Hell Money" to be burnt as offerings during the "Hungry Ghost Festival" celebrated in Singapore.—Photo by AP
A lady prepares "Hell Money" to be burnt as offerings during the "Hungry Ghost Festival" celebrated in Singapore.—Photo by AP
Women burn incense sticks as offerings during the "Hungry Ghost Festival". During the month of August, Taoists and Buddhists believe that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and the souls of the dead are freed and allowed to roam the earth.—Photo by AP
Women burn incense sticks as offerings during the "Hungry Ghost Festival". During the month of August, Taoists and Buddhists believe that the "Gates of Hell" are opened and the souls of the dead are freed and allowed to roam the earth.—Photo by AP
Nepalese youth dance with sticks as they take part in a procession for The Gai Jatra Cow Festival in Bhaktapur on the outskirts of Kathmandu.—Photo by AFP
Nepalese youth dance with sticks as they take part in a procession for The Gai Jatra Cow Festival in Bhaktapur on the outskirts of Kathmandu.—Photo by AFP
Families who have lost a relative during the year, parade a cow a sacred animal which is said to help the departed soul enter the afterlife, through the city for Gai Jatra—Photo by AFP
Families who have lost a relative during the year, parade a cow a sacred animal which is said to help the departed soul enter the afterlife, through the city for Gai Jatra—Photo by AFP
A deceased person's photograph is displayed behind as Nepalese Hindu boys in festival attire line up during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A deceased person's photograph is displayed behind as Nepalese Hindu boys in festival attire line up during "Gai Jatra," or Cow Festival, in Katmandu, Nepal. Members of Nepal’s Newar Comunity celebrate the festival in memory of their family members who died the preceding year, believing that the cow will guide them in their journey to heaven.—Photo by AP
A man offers prayers to his deceased relatives on the Ghost Festival at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China. The festival is to worship ancestors in China.—Photo by AP
A man offers prayers to his deceased relatives on the Ghost Festival at Longhua Temple in Shanghai, China. The festival is to worship ancestors in China.—Photo by AP
A participant poses in a Gay Pride rally in Katmandu, Nepal.—Photo by AP
A participant poses in a Gay Pride rally in Katmandu, Nepal.—Photo by AP
Dancers from the Compagnie Retouramont perform "Pyramid of Void" while suspended in mid-air during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival. The sixth edition of the Singapore Night Festival to be held over two weekends in August consist of an eclectic mix of aerial performances, art and light installations, roving acts and heritage-inspired programmes by local and international performers.—Photo by AFP
Dancers from the Compagnie Retouramont perform "Pyramid of Void" while suspended in mid-air during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival. The sixth edition of the Singapore Night Festival to be held over two weekends in August consist of an eclectic mix of aerial performances, art and light installations, roving acts and heritage-inspired programmes by local and international performers.—Photo by AFP
Performers from Starlight Alchemy perform a feat with fire during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival.—Photo by AFP
Performers from Starlight Alchemy perform a feat with fire during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival.—Photo by AFP
A member of the Starlight Alchemy: Redux performs during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival.—Photo by Reuters
A member of the Starlight Alchemy: Redux performs during a media preview of the Singapore Night Festival.—Photo by Reuters
A costumed person parades in the street during the annual Badagry festival in Lagos, Nigeria. This year festival is in honor of Marcus Garvey, a proponent of "Back to Africa" movement in the United States. which organizers say its aimed at bridging the gap between Africans in diaspora and Africa officials said.—Photo by AP
A costumed person parades in the street during the annual Badagry festival in Lagos, Nigeria. This year festival is in honor of Marcus Garvey, a proponent of "Back to Africa" movement in the United States. which organizers say its aimed at bridging the gap between Africans in diaspora and Africa officials said.—Photo by AP

Whether it is human rights, the journey to heaven or the lingering on Earth, this gallery shows each being celebrated.—Images by Agencies

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