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Millions around South Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka, have been marking Vesak - the holiest Buddhist festival of the year

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Sri Lankan girls join a dance for Vesak - the festival of lights that honours the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha

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Around 75% of Sri Lanka's 19 million people are Buddhists and many wear white to show their purity

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The moves towards peace in Sri Lanka have added to the atmosphere, with lanterns more numerous and colourful than usual

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Buddhist monks mark the festival by offering prayers at a temple in Agartala, in the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura

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Buddhists gather in Dhaka, Bangladesh, (left) and a monk lights a candle at the Karuna Buddha Vihar Monastery in Bhopal, India

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Pakistani security personnel stand guard over a figure of Lord Buddha during celebrations in Islamabad

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A prayer-flag pole is raised in Tengboche, Nepal, as Vesak coincides with the 50th anniversary of the climbing of Everest