India, Tamil Nadu, Mamallapuram, Shore temple built in the late seventh century during the reign of Rajasimha. People on beach and wooden prows of boats in foreground.

India, Rajasthan, Pushkar, Sadhu reading from Holy book.

INDIA, Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, Young boy being made up for Ramlila festival where the story of Lord Rama is enacted. Gold leaf is placed on the face as part of decorative floral pattern.

INDIA, People, Body Decorations, Girl wearing elaborate facial decorations for the Ramulla Festival.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Body Decoration, Portrait of tribesman with facial decoration.

Papua New Guinea, People, Head and shoulders portrait of Chimbu man wearing head-dress of bird of paradise feathers and mask of red face paint. In profile to right.

Indonesia, Bali, Eka Dasa Rindra, Elaborate coloured rice pastry figures and flowers given as offerings.

Indonesia, Bali, Mengwi, Family sitting on roadside beside stretch of water with food and flower offerings during festival.

Indonesia, Bali, Children, Portrait of young girl in traditional dress attending cremation ceremony.

South Korea, Seoul, Confucian devotee reading newspaper during break from Rites.

Indonesia, Bali, Ubud, Cremation ritual. Body and remnants of burning sarcophagus tradition believes that the body returns to earthly elements and its soul is released in the sparks.

Indonesia, Bali, Ubud, Cremation ritual. Burning sarcophagus in the form of a bull tradition believes that the body within returns to earthly elements and its soul is released in the sparks.