The day in photos around the world, including a Woodstock music fest in Poland, the long-lasting Paratrooper Day tradition in Russia and the Vel Hunduism festival in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu devotees roll on the ground during the Vel Hinduism festival in Colombo. Ethnic Tamils, who are mainly followers of Hinduism, are the main minority community in the island which is emerging from nearly four decades of ethnic conflict which had claimed up to 100,000 lives
A devotee hangs from a wooden pole with hooks attached during the annual Chariot festival of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple in Colombo. The chariot procession starts at the temple and is brought through streets as Hindu devotees follow behind, performing acts of penance or thanksgiving such as piercing hooks through their skin, in order to fulfill their vows to the Hindu gods.
A Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu devotee, with piercings through her face, participates in the Vel Hinduism festival in Colombo. Ethnic Tamils, who are mainly followers of Hinduism, are the main minority community in the island which is emerging from nearly four decades of ethnic conflict which had claimed up to 100,000 lives
A devotee takes part during in the annual Chariot festival of the Sri Mayurapathy Paththirakaali temple in Colombo. The chariot procession starts at the temple and is brought through streets as Hindu devotees follow behind, performing acts of penance or thanksgiving such as piercing hooks through their skin, in order to fulfill their vows to the Hindu gods.
A Sri Lankan Tamil Hindu devotee, seen suspended with hooks pierced through his body, participates in the Vel Hinduism festival in Colombo. Ethnic Tamils, who are mainly followers of Hinduism, are the main minority community in the island which is emerging from nearly four decades of ethnic conflict which had claimed up to 100,000 lives