WORLD WATCH

Amazing images that celebrate the beauty and diversity of the incredible world we all share.

Amazing images celebrating moments and cultures from all across the world.

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA

In the waters off Port Elizabeth, an orca (killer whale) tracks the annual sardine run. The sardine run is the largest mass migration on the planet, with millions of sardines making their way north along the coast of South Africa. Their huge numbers create a feeding frenzy in the area, as the shoals are followed by predators such as dolphins, sharks, whales, gannets and penguins.

These predators use a unique hunting method. Thousands of dolphins chase the sardines at speeds of up to 15 knots, until the migrating fish tire out and form a ‘ bait ball’ – a group of fish up to 100 metres in diameter, which hovers just below the surface of the sea. The fish try to form one big mass so that some can survive the attacks of predators.

Once the sardines have retreated into this formation, the dolphins move in. Forming a spiral around the fish, the dolphins compress the bait ball into a tighter mass. The dolphins in the inner circle grab some fish then swim back to the outer circle and rejoin the spiral, so each dolphin gets a turn. The spiral rotation not only confuses the sardines but also prevents them escaping.

Meanwhile, gannets dive in from above whenever the sardines are pushed close to the surface. Sharks come up into the shoal from below, while whales lunge-feed through the scattering fish. Bryde’s whales are most commonly found tracking the run, but other species in the vicinity – such as humpbacks, minke whales and orcas such as this one – will often seize the opportunity for an easy meal.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Thousands of Hindu devotees sit together in front of a temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh to observe the third day of the Rakher Upobash ritual. With their Prodip (lights), they fast and pray at the Sri Sri Lokenath Brahmachari Ashram.

Lokenath Brahmachari, also known as Baba Lokenath, was an 18th century Hindu saint and philosopher who lived in Bengal. After numerous decades of meditation, he is said to have achieved enlightenment at the age of 90 – after which he travelled extensively through Afghanistan, Persia and Arabia, and made three pilgrimages to Mecca. Known for preaching the universal message of humanism, he is thought to embody love in the Hindu tradition. Nearly every Hindu Bengali home has his idol placed in the family altar, and each year, in the month of Kartik on the Bengali calendar, he is celebrated with the Rakher Upobas puja (a religious ritual of worship and reverence).

During this ritual, men and women light lamps and candles, and bring offerings of fruit, sweets, nuts and cow’s milk. They ask Baba Lokenath to save their family and loved ones from curses and diseases, and they observe a strict fast and remain sitting in prayer until the flames burn out. Members of other faiths are welcome to attend, and are often present at the prayers.

Of course, Rakher Upobash is just one of many rituals and festivals celebrated in the Hindu faith. Others include Diwali – the popular festival of lights – and Holi, a festival of colours and a harbinger of spring in India.

LUXOR, EGYPT

Archaeologists remove the cover of an intact sarcophagus, found inside the tomb TT33 in Luxor, Egypt. This sarcophagus was one of two found in the ancient burial place, and both still held mummies in perfect condition.

One of the sarcophagi is from the 17th dynasty, while the other is from the 18th dynasty. The 18th dynasty dates back to the 13th century BC, and it encompassed some of the most well- known pharaohs, such as Tutankhamen and Ramses II.

The tomb, located on the west bank of the Nile near the Valley of the Kings, was discovered by an Egyptian archaeological team. In addition to the sarcophagi, tomb TT33 also held other funerary artefacts – including close to 1000 ushabti statuettes (miniature figurines of servants meant to serve the dead in the afterlife). There were colourful wooden masks, too, and pieces of papyrus inscribed with excerpts from the Ancient Egyptian ‘ Book of the Dead’. The tomb also featured wall and ceiling paintings depicting the tomb’s owner and his family, which were in exceptionally well- preserved condition.

Ancient Egyptians mummified people to preserve their bodies for the afterlife – however, they were known to mummify animals as well. Archaeologists unearthed dozens of cat mummies at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara, south of Cairo, as well as a collection of mummified scarab beetles – which are thought to have been intended as religious offerings.