Happy Mardi Gras!
(Photo courtesy of Andy Castro)
(Photo courtesy of GJ Charlet III)
(Photo courtesy of Wally Gobetz)
(Photo courtesy of Phelan Riessen)
(Photo courtesy of Velo_City)
(Photo courtesy of Frank McMains)
Groundhog Day
(Photo courtesy of Ivan Abrego)
Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada.
According to folklore, if it is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, it will leave the burrow, signifying that winter-like weather will soon end. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.
(Photo courtesy of Ken Schultz)
Modern customs of the holiday involve celebrations where early morning festivals are held to watch the groundhog emerging from its burrow. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Groundhog Lodges (Grundsow Lodges) celebrate the holiday with fersommlinge, social events in which food is served, speeches are made, and one or more g’spiel (plays or skits) are performed for entertainment.
The Pennsylvania German dialect is the only language spoken at the event, and those who speak English pay a penalty, usually in the form of a nickel, dime or quarter, per word spoken, put into a bowl in the center of the table.
Winner: Krishna Mandir on Krishna Janmashtami, Patan, Nepal
The Best Local Travel Pictures of the Year 2011 by TheTravelWord.Com
Comment from the judge:
“This photo does an excellent job of capturing both the manic movement of the crowd and the ethereal nature of the temple.” — Mike Richards
“Here’s a unique image of the Durbar Square of Patan that not only does a good job of displaying the beauty of the temple of Lord Krisha, but bringing the square to its full cultural context by choosing to photograph it on Krishna Janmashtami (the birth anniversary of Krishna), full of devotees, prayer and a long enough exposure that bleeds the light and gives the scene a more spiritual climate.” — Arog Vila
Read the full article here.
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