Dazhou, China — People take part in the traditional dragon dance in the molten iron. The dragon dance in molten iron, "Wu Huo Long" in Chinese, is a traditional custom to celebrate the Lantern Festival.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Getty Images / Getty Images

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Pathum Thani, Thailand — Thousands of Thai Buddhist monks chant during a lantern lighting to celebrate Makha Bucha day at Dhammakaya Temple in Pathum Thani province, on the outskirts of Bangkok. Known as the day of the Fourfold Assembly, it is one of the holiest days to commemorate the day that Lord Buddha gave the first sermon on the essence of Buddhism in to his ordained 1,250 monk disciples.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: RUNGROJ YONGRIT / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81975

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Nakhon Pathom, Thailand — People walk around the Buddha statue holding candles for prayers during Makha Bucha Day at Buddhist Park. It is celebrated by Buddhist monks in local temples across Thailand.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Athit Perawongmetha / Getty Images AsiaPac

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81976

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Allahabad, India — Thousands of Indian Hindu devotees walk across pontoon bridges at Sangam, the confluence of the Rivers Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati on Maghi Purnima, or the full-moon day, considered an auspicious bathing day, during the Maha Kumbh festival.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rajesh Kumar Singh / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81977

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Bhaktapur, Nepal — Nepalese Hindu devotees perform a bathing ritual on the last day of the month-long Swasthani Festival in the Hanumante River at Bhaktapur on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81978

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Ofer, West Bank — A Palestinian takes cover behind a trash container during clashes next to the Israeli military prison Ofer, south of the West Bank town of Ramallah. Palestinians clashed with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank after the funeral of a Palestinian who died in an Israeli jail.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: ATEF SAFADI / EPA

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81979

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Sair, West Bank — Palestinian mourners carry the body of Arafat Jaradat, an inmate who died in an Israeli prison, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Sair.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: MARCO LONGARI / AFP

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81981

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Vitoria, Spain — Footprints in the snow betray busy pedestrian traffic in a snow-covered street in Vitoria, northern Spain.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: ADRIAN RUIZ DE HIERRO / EFE

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81982

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Seaside Heights, N.J. — The sun rises in Seaside Heights, N.J., behind the Jet Star Roller Coaster, which has been sitting in the ocean after part of the Funtown Pier was destroyed during Superstorm Sandy last year. The private owners of the amusement pier are working with insurers to devise a plan to dismantle the ride and get it out of the ocean.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mel Evans / Associated Press

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=81983

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