This photo essay documents the famous processions during the week before Easter, Holy Week, in Taranto. Since 1605, the devoted perform a traditional "pilgrimage" between the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city along the route. The two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata," and "i Misteri".
The priors of the brotherood of the grieving Madonna before the "alzata" of the statue.
The statue of grieving Madonna during the pilgrimage in the Isola (old city). The exit of Madonna from Church of Saint Domenico is considered from the Tarantinians the main event of the Holy Week.
The pilgrimage of the statue of Grieving Madonna, the main event of the Holy week and the church of Saint Domenico, where the statue stands for the rest of the year.
One of the three "crociferi" who bring the cross on the shoulder during the pilgrimage of Madonna.
The statue of fallen Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday.
People bringing the statue of veiled Christ during the procession of "Misteri" the holy Friday, it's the last statue in procession during the holy week.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, near the curch of Carmine, in Borgo (new city) where they start their penance. They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in Borgo (new city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
The famous processions of the Holy Week in Taranto.
Since the 1605 the devoted doing the traditional "pilgrimage" in the old and new city, visiting all the ancient curches in the city.
Two brotherhoods organizing the processions called: "le Perdune", "l'Addolorata" and "i Misteri".
In photo: "le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, all'Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, going to the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). They walk with barefoot using the traditional walking called "nazzecate", swinging slowly.
"Le Perdune", devoted people who ask the forgiveness to Jesus, in the church of Duomo (main church) in the Isola (old city). A couple of "perdune" is called "posta", at every altar a posta give the change to the previous for the prayer, the change of the "posta" is a rite with secret words whispered to the fellow of brotherhood.
The brotherhood of Saint Mary of Constantinople (born in 1580) in the old city during the march from Duomo (main church) to the Saint Josef church.
Cave city in Any near Turkey-Armenia boarder.
Armenian church of Holy Cross on Agtamar island. The church is under UNESCO protection since 2007.
Muslim woman are posing in fornt of the altar.
The old city of Jerusalem contains the holiest places for two major monotheistic religions and the third holiest place for a third. The old city of Jerusalem contains the Wailing Wall, the holiest site for Jews; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which is said to stand on the ground where Jesus was crucified, interred, and later resurrected; and the nearby Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in Islam and represents the place where the prophet arrived on his nightly journey from Mecca. Al-Aqsa is regarded as the third holiest place in Islam, after Mecca and Medina.
Together, these religious sites hold significance for approximately four billion Christians, Muslims and Jews around the world.
Muslims take part in Friday prayers on a main street in Tongi adjacent to the grounds where the Ijtema takes place.
Muslims take part in Friday prayers on a main street in Tongi adjacent to the grounds where the Ijtema takes place.
Muslims take part in Friday prayers on a main street in Tongi adjacent to the grounds where the Ijtema takes place.
Pilgrims cook their evening meals on the grounds where the Ijtema is held. Thousands have come from all over Bangladesh to observe three days of religious teaching, prayer and meditation.
Night falls in Tongi as Ijtema pilgrims meet one another after evening prayers.
Muslims entered the Ijtema grounds from different in Bangladesh on the first day of Bishwa Ijtema.
Rapid Action Batallion (RAB) forces of Bangladesh monitor the scene of Ijtema from above to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Muslims perform their ablutions before the Ijtema prayers begin.
Muslims gather to attend Bishwa Ijtema in Dhaka on the first day of the congress.
Mohammad Mojammel Hoque, 70, is a farmer from the Vola district of Bangladesh. "I come here every year to purify my soul and commune with Allah," he said. "From the scholars, I get to know the true teachings of Islam, so I can follow Islam properly and preach to others how to live the Islamic way.''
Every year thousands of Hindu devotees gather in front of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram temple for the Kartik Brati or Rakher Upobash religious festival in Barodi, Near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Faithful sit in front of candles light ( named locally as Prodip ) and absorb in prayer.
Lokenath Brahmachari who is called Baba Lokenath was an 18th Century Hindu saint and philosopher in Bengal. Hindu worshippers fast and pray in earnest to the gods for their favors during the traditional ritual called Kartik Brati or Rakher Upobash
Lokenath Brahmachari devotees pray with light to save their family and dear from cholera and pox disease
Every year thousands of Hindu devotees gather in front of Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram temple for the Kartik Brati or Rakher Upobash religious festival in Barodi, Near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Faithful sit in front of candles light ( named locally as Prodip ) and absorb in prayer.
Lokenath Brahmachari who is called Baba Lokenath was an 18th Century Hindu saint and philosopher in Bengal. Hindu worshippers fast and pray in earnest to the gods for their favors during the traditional ritual called Kartik Brati or Rakher Upobash
Lokenath Brahmachari devotees pray with light to save their family and dear from cholera and pox disease
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They light lamps and candles and bring offerings of fruit, sweets, nuts and cowÕs milk, praying to Baba Lokenath to save their family and dear ones from curses and disease.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They light lamps and candles and bring offerings of fruit, sweets, nuts and cowÕs milk, praying to Baba Lokenath to save their family and dear ones from curses and disease.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.
At the Shri Shri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram near Dhaka, members of BangladeshÕs Hindu community come together to celebrate the ÒRakher UpobasÓ prayer to the god Lokenath Brahmachari, who is said to embody love in the Hindu tradition. They observe a strict fast and remain sitting absorbed in prayer until the flames burn-out.