Candle in the Dark

Buddhist Monk Lighting Butter Lamps in Phulbari Street, Boudha, Nepal

During May 2011, the Buddhist communities of greater Kathmandu, Nepal celebrated Vesak, the holy days of the Buddha Sakyamuni's birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana upon his physical death.

I came across this scene on my way back to my guesthouse near the Great Stupa pilgrimage site in Boudhanath one evening close to Vesak. Lighting butter lamps is one way Buddhists make offerings to show their devotion.

The women selling the butter lamps (for 5 Nepal rupees each) are from the Tamang ethnic group.