May 13, 2014

Men hang lanterns ahead of Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Vesak Day, which is celebrated on May 14 and 15 in Sri Lanka, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.

An policeman stands near burning vehicles after a series of bombs hit Sadr City, in Baghdad. The bombs killed 10 persons.

Faithful gather during a candle light vigil at the Our Lady of Fatima shrine in Fatima, Portugal.  Every year in May, Catholic pilgrims arrive to honor the Virgin Mary.  It iis believed she was witnessed by three shepherd children in 1917.

Balloons are released during the celebration event at the Potala Palace marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region.

Members of the British male dance ensemble BalletBoyz perform during a dress rehearsal at the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia.

Buddhist devotees pour water on a sacred tree during a ceremony in Rangoon, Burma. The ceremony on full moon day of Kasone Festival marked Buddha's birthday in Rangoon.

A child drops coins into golden Buddha statues as a symbol of blessings on Vesak Day at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya, near Kuala Lumpur.

Balloons are released during the celebration event at the Potala Palace marking the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Tibet Autonomous Region, in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region.